The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-10
MOLINE.

The suit for trespass, Of James First VS..
$500, was up before Justice Mapes, this
tFridayl morning. Result not known at
time of going to press. VIM. jackson, Esq,
for plaintiff.
The new cemetery road will not be cut
through this fall. The commissioners say
they have not got the money. They have
years to build the new road and from
present indications do not seem to be in
any hurry.
VIM. Foster, tramp,was before Justice
Mapes this friday morning charged with
being without visible means of support.
Released, of course, and ordered to leave
the town, which he did. 1t is amusing to
see how rapidly these fellows emigrate.
They don't wish to be too closely investigat-
ed. 1t might show them up in their true
light,
Township Organization.
Mr.. N. j. Hubbard. who is well-known
here, writes an excellent letter to the Union
in favor of township organization, which
must have the effect to open the eyes and
ears of the benighted readers of that pa
per. The letter of Mr.. Hubbard expresses
the sentiments Of majority of the voters
of this township, aud is in full accord with
all fair minded, fair thinking men. The
hue and cry over this question is at least
premature as no election can be held fol-
over year from now. It requires CAT
voters to secure the submission of the
question to the people and inasmuch as
the county has never pclled to exceed 4OC
votes in favor of abolishing the present
system, the chances for securing the requi
site number of signers to the petition seen
decidedly doubtful. The whole question
appears to be urged by few interested par
ties who desire to see county affairs placed
in the hands of three men-in other words
they desire to create ring which can b
easily moulded to suit their individual in
terests, irrespective of the rights of thu
people. Reform is all buncombe with the
leaders in this movement. their record il
in opposition to any such theory.
Tramps.
Every night our Moline.calaboose contain
from five to dozen wandering refugee
from all parts of the country, without an.
definite calling or object in view. and with
Fout any visible means of support. The
! are found sleeping in the cars, loupgin
around the depots, strolling through tn
streets, and finally landed in the Lookup
They are seldom given trial and almos
invariably allowed to go scot free, with n
other punishment than gentle repriman
from our magistrate, who does not seem t
possess the firmness to enforce the lay
applicable to this class. Now, while it ma
appear hard to the philanthropic porto
Of the community to hold these wander
ing tramps under the vagrant act-fc
such they are, and such all are who car
not or at least do not try to earn q hvel
hood-yet when we consider that the safet
of the. community demands such cours,
the law in all its force should be mete
out to this class of aimless, oil
jectless travellers. Such cours
would have tendency to break up tin
nuisance. Besides,it is clearly establishe
by daily statistics all over the country thu
. two-thirds of the burglaries and other Dc
: predatlons are committed by these yer
. men who 60 wandering around from tow
to town, seemingl regardless of earning a
. honest living. ln fact they do not want
work, they look upon the honestly incline
as indebted to them for living and t
fair means or foul they get it, and until ii
5 system ceases to be encouraged it vi
always be so. In justice to the commnl
l ity, as means of self protection, the ey
y should be stopped, 1t is useless to pra
e about mo law in the case"-there is la
e aud it should be enforced. Every ma
J. be he whom he may, who is without vi:
g Bile means of support is vagrant, al
e punishable under the vagrant act. CT
r mency is all right inl certain case
bat to make it the rule and not the exec
ton, is dangerous. Let the law be full
l. and ridgidly enforced in all such cases.