The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-29

The tramps are constantly on hand. |
What to do with them has already become
a serious problem. The question has been
often asked, often partially answered, and
yet it remains only partially answered and
threatens to become at no distant day
leading question in the discussion of public
safety. If there be any danger in such an
element it ought to be fully understood of
what it is composed, what their method of
operation is, and in what direction and to
what extent they are a menace to existing
institutions and dangerous to the peace
and well being Of society The 1R-door
ant Out contains an article upon this
subject which is worthy Of perusal and
OF thoughtful consideration. 1t gives the
results of observations made by Chief
Detective Stephenson, of Massachusetts,
which give the tramp character bad
beyond dispute. Whether he has colored
his subject with too vivid tints, and has
allowed his fears to get the better of cool
observation and sound judgment we are
not prepared to say, but the picture which
he presents deserves at least to be care
fully scanned, and if his professional
iabors have enabled him to gather up the
truth in regard to their condition and
objects, then the warning should be needed
and the danger properly met. Speaking of
the operations Of Detective Stephenson the
Ladoor and Out says
Last July that gentleman arrayed hiu.-
self III rags, assumed hardened visage,
and set forth to observe the nature and habD
its Of these knights of leisure. He tramped
month and had plenty of comrades. He
found the tramps travelling in gangs of
from eight to twenty, sleeping 10 barns and
10 the woods, and begging their living.
As has been suspicioned, an understanding
exists among them for mutual aid and
benefit. Every tramp carried blue aud
red chalk, and made cabalstic signs, in.
dIcatiug to those who should come after
him, where they might expect liberal feed
ing, aud where they would be ordered off.
The trampis always proiessedy seeking
employment, and represents himself mas
tel OF u trade which he knows is not prac-
teal in that locality Work is the last
thing he wants to find. The detective
made extensive inquiries in regard to this
matter, and of the hundreds he cobversed
with, all scotfed and laughed at the idea OF
working for living, save two, and they
did not manifest consuming desire for
labor. The railroad troubles occurred
while he was out. A strike was threat
ened on the Boston and Albany road, and
about tour hundred tramps gathered in
the woods prepared to burn the stations.
soap the rails, and pillage the cars as soon
as difficulties began. Doubtless they would
have commenced hostilities themselves
had they not regarded the impendipp
strike as certain, and waited for il unti
TOO late. Meanwhile hosts of men hurried
on to take part 10 the PENNSYLVANIA riots
Nothing suits the tramp better than strike,
ana riots. They are not at all Interested in
the question OF work and wages. but the,
glory in plumber, and they have no hes;
fancy III using tie torch and revolver 10 90
it, 1t is a mistake to regard the tramp a
result of the hard nmes".-to be ra
tiently endured with other misfortunes
Perhaps few shittless laboring men hay
degenerated into tramps through want G
employment, but the large maiorit
are OF the pauper and Grimm,
classes IN the large towns an
cities. They never were laborers. an
never Will be, voluntarily. Hard times
nave Simply driven them out of their oI
haunls into places where thew were n,
Ano"h a lew years ago, 1t is true m,
do NUN more numerous than they we
stIotue since, but this increase ia ascril
~. S'sa " other sources. Their ranks j
''y augmented by the ofscouril