The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1913-02-08
EMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEM.
PLOYEp.

Inc Following paragraphs are takeI
from sermon by Rev. j. Nj. White
pastor of the First Methodist Church
New Orleans. They take a sympa'
thetic and comprehensive view of a
great social problem:
The problem of the unemployed
has become a national problem. We
may divide these into four classes.
First there is the tramp, who scorns
to labor with his hands. He is as
free from suspicion of toll as the
scion of Europe's great nobility.
Then there is the "hobo," who occa-
sionally deViates into toll. Whilst he
has no great love of labor, still he
has no conscientious scruples against
occasional work, provided that the
hours be not over-long. Then there
is the "gay-cat," or migratory work
er, who follows the wheat fields Or
labors amid the lumber camps. TO
these might be added the superan.
nuated hobo, or "mush fager." He la
bors at mending umbrellas or grind
ing scissors or some other form Of
light but very precarious work. All
these have one thing in common, they
have no home, no local ties, no so
cial aims. They are more to be pit
led than blamed
There are 350,OOONof this class in
the United States. If all were gath.
cred into one city it would be much
larger than New Orleans. Before The
war a tramp was never seen. The
first known in the annals of hoboism
was two discharged soldiers known
by the sobriquets Of Erie Grip" and
"Philly Pop" One of them fell from
grace and became a justice of the
peace in Western state, but the
other remained true to his ideals and
established the order of Weary Viii.
lies What are the causes that have
produced this truly modern phenom-
enbn?
Hard times deprives the honest,
hut not overly-capable workman of a
Job. Vainly and helplessly he looks
about him and then begins to drift,
becoming more helpless and hopeless
with the passing days. Or because
of strike he is blacklisted and vain
ly seeks employment until wandering
becomes with him a habit. Then he
may have trade, which some inven-
tor renders useless and unable to &C.
commodate himself to changed con-
ditions he floats with the tide. The
sectacle is a sad one and ought to
stir our hearts to earnest endeayor
for their social and spiritual saliva
ton.
The way we are dealing with this
problem would scarcely commend us
to Solomon for wisdom. In many sec.
lions of our country the fee system
obtains. The constable and magis-
rate are supported by sums collect. !
I'd from prisoners known as costs. |
Wandering working men are Outlines
thrown into prison and
worked on the road, all because they
we're unfortunate enough to be with |
tut job. The arrests were made
or the sake of the costs that accrued |
% the officer. 1t is nothing more nor
ess than judicial graft and where it |
: in vogue such methods should be |
stopped 1t is far better that 100
ramps should go by in freedom than
hat one honest workman should be
made to suffer unjustly. And then
q put man in Jail because he is a
7agrant is absurd, because man has
10 work we place him where he can
lave no work. | met a man at the
Parish Prison sentenced to a six
months idleness because he would
lot work for his family. / am we'll
ware that it is the law, but | agree
With one of Dickens characters who