The true northerner., 1897-08-04
ONE CROP OF POPULISM.
Armies of Tramps Who Are Impos-
ing Upon wOrkingmcD.

1t is no doubt true that during the
piping democratic times from which
this country is just now emerging the
ranks of the unemployed were aug
mented by large numbers of efficient
workmen, but this does not justify the
conclusion that the army of tramps
drifting from one part of the nation 10
another belong to the industrious class
and would take work if they could get
il. Those lachrymose humanitarians
belonging to the populist party who are
constantly weeping over the woes OF
the millions of honest men who have
been forced TO turn tramp" might learn
this fact after an enduring fashion if
they would but turn their eyes toward
Kansas and her towns and wheat fields.
There come to the exchange tables
Of the Journal every week 600 or 700
Kansas weekly newspapers. We find
in them all story which varies only in
minor details. 1t is TO the effect that
harvest hands have been in great de-
mand, 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 be an
account OF how some farmer attempted
to employ the tramps who infest every
Kansas town at this season of the year,
without being able 10 secure a single
one who would work under any sort of
inducement. No better testimony could
be secured in support of the belief that
the greater part of the tramps are
worthless loafers who prefer to prey
upon the almost limitless generosity
of the people rather than stir their lazy
bones in pursuit of I'm honest living.
There is no other race or nation Of
people on earth that treats beggars
with such profiigate almsgiving as
may be found in this country. 1t may
be more than suspected that the gen
erosity of the American people has
been the prime cause of raising up an
army of professional alms-seekers, who
move from town TO town and insolently
demand food and clothing as if it were
an inherent right. And if the free
handed giving of the people is not suf-
ticient to convince them of the pos
session of such a right any lack of edu-
cation in that direction is certain 10
be supplied'by demagogues of the stripe
OF the populist leaders who are continu-
ally prating about every mans right to
a living. whether he works or not.
Take, for instance. the famous tramp
circular" by Gov Lewelling. which wept
and moaned and anguished over the
condition Of the hoboes, and adjured
the officials of every Kansas town not
TO put them at work upon the rock piles
or lodge them in Jail, for they were the
unfortunate victims of financial pol
icy, and not in any manner accountable
for their own condition ofidleness. We
imagine that if the populist farmers
Of Kansas who have lately been jeered
and derided when they sought to en-
ploy some of Lewelling's pets in the
harvest field would unearth that cir
cular from its repose among the sacred
scripts and screeds ofpopulism It might
commence to dawn over them that they
had been made the tools of a shyster or
the playthings Of fool.
WHAT is true in Kansas in greater or
less degree is true elsewhere; the NOV
ing, aimless masses Of the unemployed
are for the great part professional vag-
abonds and thieves, instead of the I'M
fortunate victims Of depressed times.
In saying this we do not desire 10 de-
precate the worth of the mu.titudeS Of
honest men who have been wholly or
partially out Of employment within the
recent past. But for the great part
these unfortunates struggled on in ST.
lence and misery, staying close TO their
families at hearthstones and hoping
and trusting for the better times to
come. They did not take 10 the brake
beams of cars and go touring over the
country, refusing work at good wages
and frightening timid women with
their backdoor demands for aims.
That the tramp problem has become
huge one in America is n thing no.
body can deny. That it will eventually
be solved in such manner that hard
working and industrious people will
not be called upon to sustain an army
Of professional beggars is n consumma-
tion devoutly TO be hoped for, but very
much in doubt, at least so long as po-
litical demagogues continue to mar
tyrize the loafer class.-Kansas City