The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-12-28
The State Tramp Convention.

he Stale Convention 10 consider the
tramp problem met in Baltimore city on
Thursday of last week. Delegates were
present from Baltimore city, and from Balti-
more, Cecil, Frederick, Hartford, Howard,
Kent, Montgomery and Washington coun.
ties. The meeting was called to order by G.
8. Griffith Esq, of Baltimore, and Hon.
Montgomery Blair was called to the chair,
with number of Vice-Presidents.
Mr.. Blair, on taking the chair, made
speech, in which he attributed the large
number of tramps-estimated at twelve hun
bred thousand-to the collapse of business in
1878, when large numbers of men were
thrown out of employment, and wandering
about in search of work, which they were
unable to find became in the end tramps.
Mr.. Blair thought it was unwse govern
ment by which affairs were managed that so
large q proportion of the wealth Of the
country has accumulated in few hands
eve need" said he, faction, concerted action
by the people all over the country, to succor
distress and tide over the evils upon us, until
more healthful governmental policy shall
have time to take effect. 1t will only aggra-
vate the evil and set on foot more jobs for the
government, State, national or municipal, to
undertake to provide for the unemployed."-
He also thought it was the interest of cap
italists to lead in public movement to find
remunerative employment for labor. They
have hundreds of millions of unemployed
op1f a ro in Stofa n,illinpc
of acres of uncultivated land ON which null
titudes might be set to work without serious
risk of loss. And if they should lose, and
lose largely for the time being, in any adven-
lures they make for such objects, they would
certainly find their account in the end in the
revival of business.
Judge Robert Gilmore, of Baltimore took
rather more practical view of the subject.
He thought tramps should all be made OBJ
jects Of custody and compelled to give an ac-
count Of themselves Deterring measures
should be taken, and the situation will be-
come rksome to tramps, who will thereby
be driven from our State.
James Alfred Pearce, of Kent county, de-
fined the difference between a tramp and a
vagrant. "Persons whe can give no reason
able account of themselves is part of the
Pennsylvania law definition of the tramp
Honest poverty gives n man right to be
ragged, and the kings highway is as free to
him as to the king himself; lLut great ma
jority of the tramps are idle dissolute, and
vicious, and need the most rigid restraint
which law can put upon them.
Mr.. Pearce adverted to the danger of
putting body of tramps on the road armed
large force to guard them, unless you put a
ball and chain upon their legs.
DR.. c. w. Chancellor, of Baltimore, advo-
Gated the establishment of warehouses in
connection with district almshouses, where
tramps can be forced to work.
A general discussion then ensued, in which
variety of measures-many of them novel,
if not practical-were suggested for the sup
preston of the nuisance, One member
thought the State might purchase an island
in the Bay, where tramps might be put to
work cultivatng the soil. Another advoca-
ted local option as cure Mr.. r Harris
Archer, of Hartford county, thought bull dogs
good preventives of the evil, and advocated
the importation of enough to allow each
farmer one.
Mr.. Lawrence, of Howard county, read
paper suggesting legislation that would COM
pei tramps to work on the public roads, and
to make use of the House of Correction, and
there compel them to work.
Jesse Gilmore, of an organization called
the nationals" read a pamphlet TO show
that the cause of the tramp evil was want
of greenbacks, and as n remedy recommended
the issue of more paper money.
Francis Miller, of Montgomery county,
advocated smaller political subdivisions of
the counties, so that we might have be ter
local sclf-government.
Mr.. Merrefeld thought work upon public
roads was the best employment for lramps
but appreciated the difficulty of making them
work. He approved colonzng them upon
unsettled lands.
On the second day paper was read by G.
S. Griffith, suggesting many reforms in our
Jail and almshouse system and papers were
also read on various subjects connected with
thetramp evil--all of which were referred to a
committee appointed to draft bill to be pre-.
scented to the Legislature for the suppression
of tramps. Col. L. Victor Baughman, of
Frederick, also made an address urging The
convention to take some practical steps for
the suppression OF tramps. DR.. E. Lloyd
Howard, from the special committee submit
ted the following relative to the proposed
tramp act:
Whereas The several towns and counties of
this State are infested with vagabonds and tramps
to the detriment of honest labor, to the burden
of the taxpayers and the endangerng of the lives
and property of the citizen:
Resolged, That the pre-: ident of this conven-
tion shall appoint committee of seven, whose
duty it shall be to memorabilia the Legislature
to enact such laws as may be deemed best for
the suppression of vagrancy.
Resolred, That the committee so appointed
shall use all proper means toward securing the
desired legislation, such as comforting with
Others who may aid them in drafting proper en-
actments and visiting and consulting with such
committees as may be appointed by the Legsla-
turc to consider the subjects involved, and invt-
ing the cooperation of all who may be interest
ed.
Resolved, That in the opinion Of this conven-
tion the proposed legislation should embrace
the following features:
First. Every tramp and ydgabond shall be
liable to arrest and Imprisonment for specified
time at labor.
Second. That such labor may be required to
be performed upon the county roads, or other
public works, at the option of the County Com
Inissioners of the several counties.
Third. That the House of Correction should
be completed and opened for the reception Of
tramps at the earliest day practicable; that the
lodging and Incarceration of tramps and yapa.