The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-18
ONE OF THE CROPS or PoPU1IsM
The Armies OF HobOcs who Demand That
Hard-NorkInE Men shall support Them.

From the Kansas Cstv Journal.
1t is no doubt true that during the piping
Democratic times from which this country ia
Just now emerging the ranks of tho uncmrloyed
were augmented By large numbers Of efficient
workmen. but this does not justify the conclu.
sion that the army OF trNmps drifting from one
part Of tho nation to another belong TO the in
dustrious class. and would take work II they
could get It. Those lachry NOSE humanitarian
belonging to tho Populist party who are con-
stanLly weeping over the woes OF the millions
OF honest mon who have been forced TO turn
tramp" might learn this fact after an enduring
fashion II they would but turn their eyes toward
Kansas and her towns and wheat fields.
There come to the exchange tables of tho
Journal every week six or seven hundred Kan
sas weekly newspapers. We find in them all a
story which varies only in minor details. 1t Is
to The effect that harvest hands have been in
great demand, and that very large wages are
willingly paid for the most indifferent sort OF
labor. And right alongside OF this story is almost
certain to BIO an account OF how some farmer at
tempted to employ the tramps who infest every
Kansas town at this season Of the year. without
being able to secure n single one who would
WORK under any sort of induccmcnt. No better
testimony could be secured in support OF the be-
worthless %loafcrs who prefer to prey np5n tho
almost ~iinlitlcss generosity Of the people rather
Lnah htir their lazy bones in pursuit OF an honest
There Ia no other race or nation OF people on
earth mat treats beggars win such prOtiigate
aiins,giving as may he found in this country. 1t
may be more than suspected that the generosity
OF the American people has been the prime cause
OF rai5lng up an army OF professional, alms-seek-
ers, VINO move from town to town and inSOlently
demand rood and clothing as II 1t wore an inhe-
rent right. And II the free-handcd giving of the
possession OF such u right any lack of oduca-
lion IN that direction Is certain to, be supplied
leaders Who are c OF inu MllsI ppatine sH about n1e every
not; TAKE. for Instant, ithS famous tramp
ana moaned and augnished over tho condition
q the ho6oes, and adjured the officials of every
Kansas town not TO put them AZ work upon tho
lne unfortunate victims Of n financial policy and
not ~ any manner accountable for their own
Popniist farmers OF Kansas who have lately
been leered and derided when they sought TO
enIloy some OF Lewelling's pets in the harvest
held would nnearth that circular from lis rcpose
among me sacred scripts and screcdH OF popu.
they had been made the tools of n shystor or the
plaEthings ola fool.
What y true in Kansas in greater or less de-
gree Is true elsewhere; the moving, almless
niasses OF me Unemployed are for the greater
psri professional yagabonds and thieves, Instead
or the unfortunate victims of depressed times.
In saying this We do not desire to depreclate the
worth OF the multitndes OF honest men who have
tSfeh,n waSiiy or partially out OF employment
WiInin tno recent past. But for the greater
part these uncertainties struggled on in silence
hearthstones, and hoping and trusting for the
PETER times to. come. They did not take to tho
ornkeDesins or cars and go touring over the
dTignteaing tlmld women with their backdoor
That tho tramp problem has become a huge
one N america 10 q thing nobody can deny. That
y VIII eventually BIO solved in such a manner
not be called upon to sustain an army of pro.
iesslonal beggars Is a devoutly
10 no hoped Tor but very much in doubt. at least
tyrize the loafer class.