West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-07-11
MOVING IN SCOTLAND
ON MAY 90 OCCURS THE ANNUAL
CARNIVAL OF "FLITTlNG."

| preme-An Odd System. Built Up on
the Caution OF the Landlords.
In Scotland Nay % is annually given
over to perfect carnival Of "fiittiEG.'
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 2S Even the smallest.
consisting Of only one room, are so let
On the great day in any large town the
sights afforded range from the laugh
able to the pathetic.
As soon as it is daylight the vans
previously "trysted" begin their work;
the goods are loaded up wits more
haste than care and to the accompani'
ment Of the good housewives lamenta.
tons 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, az the
van is required for other removals, the
goods are dumped down in the street,
and there the poor family is LETT
stranded for the time. Occasionally
some streets-in Glasgow. for instance
present an appearance OF wholesale
evtctions.
90 numerous are the demands that
vans cannot always be obtained, and
every kind 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 mercles
of some ramshackle conveyance.
These professions are 'moring along
all day. The representative Of law
and order, upon this day at least, Is
very lenient. his gruf Move on" Is
less in evidence, and his ready note
book gets rest There are no leases
of obstruction reported, although often
| loaded vans have to remain in street
all night.
1t may he 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 be retires off 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
| fcult 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 -.
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 q minimum. The sys
TEN entails great hardship to working
men compelled to change the scene or
| their laborS. They frequently cannot
obtain house until term day and have
consequently to take lodgings and sup
port their family in another town.
If fortunate enough to obtain house,
the landlord steps in and requires his
| full years rent 10 be paid or deposited
| in bank before he allows the goods to
| be removed. The unfortunate head or
| q 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 al 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 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
~ 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 standing monument to the British
long suffering and law abiding nature.
| -Pearson's Weekly.