Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-08-05
MOVING IN SCOTLAND
ON MAY 2s OCCURS THE ANNUAL
CARNIVAL OF "FLITTlNo@

ture Vans and Chaos Reign SUI
Dreme-An Odd system, BuiIt Up on
the Caution OF the Landlords.
In Scotland May % IS annually given
over to a perfect carnival Of "nitting."
In England houses Of the higher
rents are taken by the year at any
quarter day and the lower rented ones
by the month or even by the week.
The fitting is thus spread over the
year, and no confusion arises. The
Scottish system is to let houses by the
year from May %. Even the smallest,
consisting Of only one room. nre 80 let.
On the great day in any large town the
sights afforded range from the laugh
able TO the pathetic.
AS soon as 1t is daylight the vans
previously "trysted" begin their work;
the goods are loaded UP with more
haste than care and to the accompani-
ment of the good housewives lamenta-
tions as some cherished household god
Is roughly flung into the van.
Arrived at the destination, further
troubles are In store. Perhaps the new
house is not yet vacated, and, as the
val is required for other removals. the
goods are dumped down in the street.
and there the poor family is left
stranded for the time. Occasionally
some streets-in Glasgow, for instance
present an appearance Of wholesale
evictions.
So numerous ere the demands that
vans cannot always be obtained. and
every Lind of vehicle, including horse
less carriages, popularity known as
''hurleys," are pressed into the service,
supplemented by father. mother and
the children, each carrying pictures,
| mirrors or other cherished articles too
precious to trust to the tender mercies
Of some ramshackle conveyance.
These professions are moving along
all day. The representative of law
and order, upon this day at least, is
very lenient. his gruff "Move on" is
less in evidence. and his ready note
book gets a rest. There are no leases"
of obstruction reported, although often
loaded vans have to remain in a street
all night.
1t may be that the ''polisman" grasps
the humors of the situation, or perhaps
a fellow feeling influences him. No
doubt his own fitting is in progress,
and he retires or duty to some strange
abode, there to assist in carrying In
his goods. to sup off crust Of bread
and cheese and sleep on the floor, as
others have to do.
A stranger naturally inquiries the
cause Of this one day given over to
chaos. 1t is to be found in the eau
ton of the Scottish landlord. 1t is diff
ficult to obtain a house at any other
time than the lawful removal day, and
the canny house owner has prudently
secured his rent fortnight previously,
May Is.
moonlight" fittings are thus prac-
tically unknown, and there is little
loss of rent from that cause. The rents
being payable half yearly only, the
cost of collection is reduced, as is the
risk of loss. to minimum. The sys-
tenn entails great hardship to working
men compelled to change the scene of
their labors. They frequently cannot
obtain house until term day and have
consequently to take lodgings and sup
port their family in another town.
II fortunate enough to obtain house.
the landlord steps in and requires his
full years rent to be paid or deposited
in bank before he allows the goods to
be removed. The unfortunate head Of
a household is also responsible for the
full years rates of his new" house,
although he may have paid in full at
his vacated house.
The only advantage to the tenant is
security of tenure for twelve months
and the certainty Of being accommo-
| dated at the expiry in the general
scramble. OF course it happens some
times, through new houses being erect
ed, that some one is able to start the
ball rolling a day or two before term,
to the comfort Of all involved in the
particular circuit but, generally speak
ing, May term day in Scotland is not
an institution to be admired and copied.
Strange to say. Sandy not only takes
this day philosophically. but is much
| mere addicted to fitting" than people
south Of the Tweed, some families NOV
ing regularly every year without any
! apparent necessity. One would scarce
iy expect the worry and discomfort Of
the day and succeeding temporary
chaos to be voluntarily undertaken, but
the fact is so.
The continuance of the system itself
is a standing monument to the British
long suffering and law abiding nature.
| -Pearson's Weekly.