The Myth of the Lazy Laborer

There is a large class of men in this city, without the necessary means to supply the ordinary necessities of life, who are continually damning the “heathen Chinee,” and making him responsible for all the ills and hardships which they are suffering. At first glance this plea would seem plausible enough, but upon a closer inspection it will be found that much of the destitution complained of is due to an indisposition to accept offers of work, even at remunerative prices; this class of men rather preferring the street corner or main office of the hotel than honest occupation of any sort. As an instance in point, last evening a gentleman from the Stillaguamish called at one of our hotels and stated that he wanted to secure the services of a number of men to assist in repairing the damage done to the dykes in that section by the recent high tides. Although, when the proposal was made, quite a number of persons were present who have been boarding at the hotel on time for several months, complaining of the scarcity of labor, yet strange to say not one of them accepted the situation. Our sympathies are with the distressed of every condition, but from this circumstance we are convinced that in the majority of such cases it has been misdirected. These fellows who make such a loud cry about the hard times and nothing to do, are like the discharged soldier who, when asked to work, said he would sooner sell his shirt than stoop to such degradation.