Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-17

had not known great many honest or industrious
men to become tramps. He had thirty years
perence with criminals, and could say that he
didn't know of any honest man starting out and
becoming q tramp. The disease is caused gener-
ally by chronic lszness, with no disposition to
work. tramp had generally been considered an
idle, shftless, harmless fellow, sleeping around in
barns. Bat the fellow we have to do with is of q
different type and when he is around it is per-
fectly safe for you look out for your person and
property. Some OF the worst cases of assault
and robbery in Kennebec county had been peIpe-
trated by tramps. What to do with them is
question of very great Importance. They should
certainly be punished. 1t might be well to pro-
vide an intermediate prison. They should be
made to look upon the life OF tramp as q hard
liie and not an easy one.
Mr. Drake Of Waldo, said they did not have
workshops in his county, and they were obliged
at great expense to provide for them 10 other
counties. The State ought to take up the matter.
Sheriff Libby thought the remarks of the gen.
tleman were little ungeneTous, to cast reflections
upon officers who did their duty. No such state
Of things existed in kennebec county the
gentleman had described.
Mr. Drake said he referred simply to the offices
in his county.
Mr. Rice said that Waldo county had suffered
severely from uamps, and instances were given.
1t was foolish thing to send men to jail for thir
ty days.
Senstor Stevens of Kennebec county said he
could not speak from experience on this point, but
them in jails, and tten them and turn them
loose on the community, you will have uamps.
lie thought that six months Imprisonment would
tend to decrease the number of tramPs. He be-
lieved that Jail workshops would not pay until
prisoners had longer term of service. An order
had already been introduced asking for addition
al legislation, and he believed that measures
would be taken to arrest the curse.
Mr. Perkins of Androscoggin, said the legisla-
ture should make a law to stop the business.
PeDdeIter thought le tax
did not object to the expense incident upon arrest
ing tramps.
Capt. Nickerson of Lincoln, Thought tramps
could be utilized by sending them on sea and
fishing voyages; or buy tract Of land and put
them at work, and if they won't work, give them
the lash.
Mr. Thing of Kennebec, said in answer to Capt.
Nickerson ii Lincoln, that if tramps to he
used IN fishing business, and made available some
Of them must be used for bait. Said if in the
present state of society, and with the wonderful
development Of invention and mechanical genius
one man is able to do the work of one hundred,
and no provision is made for the ninety inc.
WHAT are you to do about it They must live,
and will live, either by honest or dishonest effort
There are just as many people in the country
in the former case The tramp is not necessarily
criminal, but his course, If persisted IN, will al
most certainly make him one.
MIR. Rice offered the TO lowing resolution,
which WAS referred to the committee:
ReSolred, That in the opini IN of this conven-
tion the state should provide a house of correct
ion 10 which all females who may be convicted of
any crime in any court of this State, shall be
confined and nlloyed under the supervision CT
officials. the ms Jlity vi whom shall be females.
Sheriff Dresser of Cumberland, said that pau
pers and tramps entirely different classes.
rbe professional tramp is a most dangerous crea-
ture, and how to protect society against him is a
grave question. The humanitarian part of the
question should be considered
Judge Baker approved of labor in the county
jsils; in those institutions where no labor had
been provided, they had been schools of iniquity.
We should not be dscou aged If but slow pro-
gress is made in the right direction.
After further remarks from DR.. Quinby Mr.
Mel elan of Portland, Sheriff Dresser and War
den Rice, the convention adjourned until this fore
noon at o'clock.