The Tucson citizen., 1902-06-23

Nure Vans and Chaos Reign Su~
prcme-An Odd system, Built IN O@
the Caution of the Landlords.
In Scotland May IS is annually given
over to u perfect carnival Of 'tjttinS.'
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 tlitting Is thus spread over the
year, and no confusion arises The
Scottish system is to let houses by the
year from May 2S Even the smallest.
consisting OF only one room are ~ let.
On the great day in any large town the
sights afforded range from the laugh
able to the pathetic
As soon as ii is daylight The vans
previously "trysted" begin their work.
the goods are loaded up with more
haste than care aud to tn" accompanl-
ment OF the good housewives lamenta-
tons as some cherished household god
is roughly dunc into the van
Arrived at the destination further
troubles are In store. Perhaps b' new
house Is not yet vacated and, as The
van is required for other removals, the
goods are dumped down In the street,
and there the poor family Is 'ett
stranded for the time. Occasionally
some streetS--in Glasgow. foF Instance
present an appearance OF wholesale
evictions.
80 numerous are the demands that
vans cannot always he obtained ana
every Kind of vehicle, includins horSe-
loss carriages, popularity known as
.hurieyS." are pressed into ia" service.
suppicmented by father, mother and
the childr%p, each carrying pictures
mirrors OF other cherished articles too
precious to trust to the tender nerctes
Of some ramshatkle Conveyance
These professions are moving along
All day. The representative Of law
ana order; ,tpon this day ut least. Is
very lenient. his grufI Move on IL
less In evidence, and his ready note
book gets a rest There are M cases
Of obstruction reported. although often
loaded vans have 10 remain In street
all night.
II may be that the 'polismaa graSps
the humors of the situation, or perhaps
fellow feeling influences hmL No
doubt his own hittipg is In progress.
and be retires of duty to some strange
abode. there To assist In carrying IN
his goods. to sup off a crust Of bread
aud cheese and sleep on the floor. as
others have 20 do.
\ stranger naturally inquiries the
cause Of this one day given oYer to
chaos. 1t is 10 he found In the eau
ton uf the Scottish landlord. Ii is diff.
hcuf TO obtain a house at any other
time than the lawful removal day and
the cannv bousc owner has rrudently
secured his rent fortnight previously,
May IL
"Mooulight" fittings are tins prae-
ticaIIy unknown, aud 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 a minimum. The sys-
TEN entails great hardship to working
mea compelled to change the scene OF
their Iabors. 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
I full years rent to be paid or deposited
in bank before he allows the goods 10
be removed The unfortunate head OF
q household Is also responsible for the
full Years rates of his new" house.
although he may have paid IN full al
bis vacated house.
The only advantage to the t"nant Ii
security OF tenure for twelve months
and the certainty OF being accommo
dated at the expry in the genera
scramble. or course It happens some
times. through new houses being erect
ed. that some one is able 10 start the
balI rolling a day or two before term
TO the comfort of all involved in tn,
particular circuit; but. generally speak
ing. May term day in Scotland Is not
an institution to be admired aud copied
Strange to say. Sandy not only take:
this day philosophicalIy but is muct
more addicted to "fiitting" than people
south OF The Tweed. some families NOV
Ing regularly every year without AM
apparent necessity. One would scarce
ly expect the worry and discomfort o.
the day and succeeding temporary
chaos to be voluntarily undertaken. bu
the fact is so.
The continuance of the system itsel
is standing monument to the British
long suffering and law abiding nature
--Pearsons Weekly.