National Republican., 1877-09-08
JAGR1ECY.

One Of the most interesting papers read
at The recent Social Science congress was
one by Professor WAyLASD on the subject
Of professional vagrsncy. The tramp Dni.
sance Inns long been such q gigantic evil
that II 10 wonderful that no effectual remo-
dy has been devised for H. One reason for
this neglect has doubtle,s been the belief
that the evil wns but n Temporary one pio-
duced by hard times. Experience has
shown, however, quite satisfactorily that va
rrancy IL produced by causes deeper than
mere inability TO get work. II Is owing al
most entirely 10 morul causes, and the
return Of good times would not remedy the
evil Even now trnmps abound IN ugricul.
tural regions suffering for the want of la
borers.
In treating Of this suhiect there should Of
courss be a broad distinction made bctween
those who have bocn reduced to poverty
by physical inarmity or mental iInbecility,
and those able-hodied porsons who arc able
10 work, but arc unwilling to do No, pro-
ferring to subsist upon what they can pick
up by n life OF yagrancy Willie thr former
are entitled to have the most ample provi-
sions made for them Mt the public expense,
Aevore restrictive legtelation, especially as
thsir idlsnoss is ysry .pt to lead 10 the COM
anission Of crimes II hls qboen found prnc-
tioAlly that themoral character of tramps
~ class is utterly depuaved, and y large
percentage of the criminal offenses commit
ted In the rural districts Ia chArgeable 70
them.
leaving ont Of New entirely the criminal
inspect Of the cnsr, the tax which the va
grants now levy upon the industry Of The
United States annually Is enormous A
sast army Of men are maintained 10 idle
nsss by the frugal and industrious citizens
IL ID very had economy 10 make such uss
Of means now 90 badly needed for tho dis
charge Of the enormous public snd private
fndobtedness Of the country. Instead ol
allowing vigorous men 10 spend their time
On axtorting u living out Of the earnings OF
the industrious, they should be compelled
by their own labor to support themselves
And contribute something towards the sup
port Of tls Government
The plan advocated by Prof WAYLANT
for attaining this result seems to BE- per-
ssutly practioab,s. His proposal Is That
officers shall he appointed in districts oI
proper sizcs, who shall hire buildings suit
able for the confinement and employment
of yagranis The managers are TO open ar
account with all tho prisoners charging
dnou WIN tntiI DOnfu anu mhinttnAnCe
and crediiing them with fair and reason
able compensation for the labor periormet
by them, and at the end of the term of sen
t1noe paying them such balance % shall b,
found due to them,
II sa matter Of the utmost importanc,
that all professional begging should be pro
bibit-d, for wherever Il e allowed there il
. necessarily more or less imposition. Til,
principle already prevails by law that sacl
community must look after its own pooI
This ruls, If onioroed, would do away will
she necessity Of vagrncy, and render 1t
criminal ofenss. The poor laws and char
table institutions make ample provision
for the really needy st home. Those VIII,
% Hbroad to seek aid do not do II from ne
cessity, but from sinister motives vagranc,
will vanish ~ soon ~ It IA understood tina
able-bodisd persons who are found wander
iag through the country begging Tor clotlle
or food will be at once arrcstsd and put l.
work