Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-09-02
COMMUNICATED.
Tramps-, Some Suggestions.


What shall we do With the vagsbosds, is a
momcntcus question. This evil has become
monstrous, aud propose to show, briefly, how
it car be averted, and how these idle, dissouto
creatures may be made to woik or stsrve. This
is no rew thirg-this 'strollios' or trampiDg-
and from the very earliest times We have been
blessed with beggais stationary tramp. The
celebrated commentator, Rev. Dr. Scott, says
of them in his comment on the 35th verso of
Luke xviii. -
The bcggars Of whom We read in scripture,
lived in the place or neighborhood where they
asked aims, and so were known to be real OBJ.
jccts Of charity; they also gave kind of pledge
for their good behavior. This widely differs
from the modern case of strozlmg beggars, who
are frequently imposers, and still more gene.
rally profgate characters. Except 10 extraor.
binary cases, it is in all respects most advisable
to relieve these who are known by US both as
to their wants and conduct; and, provided less
be not given 10 charity, and no extreme case
neglected. The refusal of relief to vagrant beg
CARS, is rather proof of discretion, than an in.
dication OF defect in beDeicence. If this con.
duct were generally adopted, the INDECENT
would 10 ordinary cases, be compelled to abide
where they are known; tho sums expended in
charity would be far more proftably applied;
the interests Of morality ard religion would be
better secured; and the poor themselves would
he far more adequately relieved.
The above was written by the learned DR.. 5.
sixty or seventy years ago. But way back
yonder, 1915 years ago, the greatest man who
ever lived, 10 my Judgment, finding there were
loaicrs end idlers in the church he had founded
at Tbessaionica wrote to his beloved Timothy
regarding ii. Says st. Paul For even wher
| Tc were with you, this We commanded you
that if auy would not work, neither should be
cat. So say [, humbly, and so We all say,
hope! Do not let US give those vagabonds {
mouthful OF food; not one cent Of money, tor /
is a stcreotyped cry among them, give me 6
penny" thinking that 20 enc will hesitate Il
| give SO small sum; but how soon that amount:
to considerable during the day to persever
ing tramp or beggar! Send them at once ou
OF town, with all the other beggars, male and
female, to the places whence they came, and
throw The support of these people upon the
persons to whom they legally belong. If the
paupcr laws of our city wcro rigldly entoloec
upon this subject We would have no trouble
| | earnestly ask the authorities to see to It
As my voice is always for retrepchment and re-
form, l suggest that Council elect an overseei
of the poor-of our OVID poor-in conformity
with the provisions ofthe bill introduced lately
select reliable aud trusty man for the place
and sum equal to ten or even twenty time
the amount Of his proposed meagre and INSULT
cien salary will be saved to the people. And
gentlemen 10 authority. do not forget to over
haul the aims house, and send to their respcc
tive homes every pauper there who does mol
belong here, and never permit any more to b(
sent there of that description. II these thing:
arc done, and they should be most assuredly, oul
taxts will be less our feelings moro comfortable,
and our beggars aud trsmps will be scarce. Tc
this end | pray. Xxx.