The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-06-22
SATURDAY, JUNE %, 1878.
The Publlc Danger FROM Tramps.


William II. Vanderbilt, the President of
the New York Central and Hudson River
Railrood Company, does not think there is
any likelihood ofrailroad riots this summer;
but he is apprehensive of danger from
tramps. He is reported to have recently
used the following words;
"The only class,I think, from which there
is anything to be feared is the tramps. There
is no telling what these people may do. In
the large cities they are practically power
less, but bands roaming through the country
may do infinite harm. In Chicago the
authorities have become somewhat alarmed,
and understand have organized the
militia"
These expressions, says the New York
Sun, may perhaps induce exaggerated fears
in some quarters. Tramps may undoubted-
ly do great deal ofharm. Their existence,
habits, and practices have given rise to some
difficult social and administrative problems.
1t is to their distinctly criminal acts, how
ever, that Mr.. Vanderbilt evidently refers.
These are practically confined to country
communities. Tramps lack the organiza-
tion and common impulse necessary to crime
on large scale, such as is sometimes COM
mitted in political or labor riots. They pill
fer hen-roosts, and assault women on lonely
roads, or attack them in farm houses when
the men are absent. The frequency of such
crimes indicates an evil to be repressed, and
one which must at times be vigorously dealt
with; but it hardly seems to justify any
such general alarm as is suggested by Mr..
Vanderbilt's language.
On the other hand, the summer season is
particularly favorable to depredations by
tramps, and farmers and country people
generally will do well to keep q watchful
lookout for them. The danger from tramps
is real, although its magnitude and extent
may be overstated by Mr. Vanderbilt Wo-
men should not be left alone in farm houses
at night, and even in the day time man
should be within call. The firearms with
which country home is usually provided
ought to be kept properly loaded, and in an
easily accessible place, but not too plainly
visible, lest an intruder should seize them
first. Dogs will also be found q great safe.
guard. If possible, number should be
kept, of different kinds, so that they car
not all be coaxed off with meat and poison.
ed. A large dog is sometimes disposed Of il
this way, when a little one, of more irritable
nature, cannot be appeased. 1t would be
IN, thn INIT ota
example Of some of their fashionable city
sisters, and never went out unless accom-
panied by n dog; only, for the grotesque pul
it would be well to substitute powerful
mastiff, St. Bernard, or Newfoundland, cap
able of tearing down man at one spring,
occasion demanded.
We know these precautions are not prac
ticable everywhere, but there are man,
places in which they might easily be adopt
ed In others, where they are impracticablC
the best means at hand must be relied upon
Above all things it is important to the com
munity that the crimes of tramps shoul
be promptly punished. The brave woma
in Virginia who recently burned the none
which two villains were trying to take fror
her, and then killed them both with an AK,
after she had received her own death wounC
did not die in vain. The news of her dee
at once spread far and wide, and will doub
less deter from like crimes many of tn
wandering class to which her assailants b.
longed, thus saving numerous other persor
FROM the fate which befell her.
In those districts where tramps are mo-
numerous, and where they travel about
thieving bands, an organization of local col
stabulary might also be advantageous.
few officers on horseback could patrol col
siderable extent of country. and the expen
of maintaining such force need not
large. The watch thus kept on the ban,
would probably soon leadto their dispersio