The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-19
THE HOBO QUESTION.
Two Beggars Before Judge Glasgow
How to Get Rid of Them

Hardly q day passes but two or three
hobos are arraigned in the municipal
court for begging. Yesterday there were
two. One gave his name as Charles Ma
rion. and he told pitiful story. He said
that he had made his way to Seattle from
California in two months. begging his
food. lie explained that he came 10 Sc
attic through a mistake, as he believed Il
was on the direct route TO Spokane. II
he could only reach Spokane he would be
all right. Judge Glasgow inquired why
he was 80 anxious to reach that city. and
he replied that ne had brother there.
Frank Morris was the second one ac-
cused OF begging. and he explained that
he was hungry and had TO take some
means OF getting food. He admitted hav-
Ing asked for food at Patrolman Stevens
house, but insisted that he had first asked
for work. Patrolnan Stevens did not un-
deFstand Ii that way. 1t would not have
been much of a case only that Morris
after being fed, took in other houses con-
venient and secured food sufficient to all
his pockets. Morris said that he intended
20 get work at Mosher & McDonald's log
ging camp. and showed a letter OF intro
duction. which he said was given him at
the companys city office. Judge Glasgow
gave each man twenty-four hours TO
leave the city.
The New York Evening Sun says OF the
hobo:
"Humor the hobo and he becomes a
seourge and q terror. Wherever hand
outs may be had for the asking and q
pitifui tale earns piece OF silver, there
he camps down TO prey upon the COM
fnunity. We suspect that the people OF
New Rochelle were too indulgent to the
professional tramp, and afterward al
lowed themselves to be scared by him.
Timidity and easy good-nature In the
householder the hobo makes constant
study Of. II the tolerance OF him. through
fear or complaisance. spreads through
whole town. II won't be long before he
thinks he owns the place and can bully
the people Show a bold front TO him and
refuse firmly TO let him batten on you.
and he viii give your house and belong
ings wide berth. He wants nothing to
upon and shows no fear OF him.
Many householders. either because
they can't discriminate between an hon.
est man and vagabond. or quail before
food 10 every person who applies for IL
At their doors The kindness that Won't
refuse a meal 70 any man VINO asks for IL
exists, we know, but IL Is . misguided
kindness and a reflection on the intelii-
gence Of the giyer. Discrimination should
be ths governing rule OF him who has the
power 10 bestow charity. IL you feed
procession OF hobos you are not good
citizen. since you infict them upon your
reignbors, and breed In the henefcaartes
notion that the world ewes them w.
ing which thsy have a right to take by
force II II IL not given to them In the
shape OF 'hand-out An UNPLEASANT
phase OF this tramp problem. for which
weak and kine-hezrted citizens are re-
sponzihse, is the appearance IN every cam
rlunity OF comfortably dressed and stall
wart men who are not ashamed 70 so
begging from door 70 door fer clothes.
food ard money. Wearing good coat.
they will ask for another. and shod with
whole shoes. they plead they are almost
barefoefed. Week after week they turn
up regularly IN the same locality ana ply
their profession braxenly. This II a class
OF beggar who can perhap. De scared cuf
OF the business II the authorities taSe
hold OF him with a srm grip he Is nos
the honest man out OF work whom every
body should be eager 10 help but lat
eer-day type OF tramp who Doesn't want
TO work and won't do so as long AS ms
iuporfuniugs are tolerated
Every community can settle the ysga-
bond problem II II goes the right way
about IL New York has already done 50
In a measure by 1ooiishing the police STR
ton lodging and providing places where
the tramp can get q meal and bed Tor an
equivalent Ia downright hard work Local
governments outside the CITY can follow
ms example II they CHOOSE TO. bat the
moral COURAGE OF the bouselsolders ~
mere powerful factor IN restraining the
nuisance than the hospitality or ths
wooaplls and tns uniform OF the police
man.