Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-02-09
About Tramps.

In a late Shepheristown Register appeared
long communication "By Charlcstown,' at
tributiug the tramp nuisance 10 the hoanc'a'
legislation Of the past eighteen years. The
srticle conciudess
"All tramps need is work. and pay, bat they
have become tired Of working whilst idlers get
the pay; and that such has been the result OF
legislation for the last eighteen years, no truth
ful man can deny. Trampism like riot, rebel
lion and revolution is forced, very often, upon
people unwilingly, and as class. are more
sinned against than SHINING" Men do not
from choice degrade themselves; and trampS
are but the unhappy victims Of fanaticism, big
otry, and ambition 10 their rulers"
Without purpose to discuss the subject a.
all, we append the following, which we think
does not strengthen the position BY Charles
town." and robs the tramps of the sympathy
that the article is intended to evoke:
THE BROTHERHOOD OF TRAMPs.
Two detectives were recently sent out by
the Massachusetts, police authorities TO study
the natural history Of tramps, and their diary
kept for several weeks furnishes very interest
ing and instructive reading. They dressed
themselves like tramps and took the high road
and went along with &hateve gangs Of va
grants they fell in with, slept with them in barns
and in the woods, ate and drank, and begged
and stole like the rest, and travelled over a con-
siderable stretch Of country from rendezvous
TO rendezvous, without being suspected. Their
chef objects were to ascertain why the men
became tramps. whether they would work II
they could obtain employment. how they man
aged to live, &c, sc. Their report is rather
discouraging to those who hope to reclaim
tramps from their vagabond life. The great
majority have trades, and have known what
regular employment and regular income are,
and yet deliberately prefer the lazy liberty OF
vaga6oniage. The detectives met in all their
ionrneyings only two men who did not scout et
the idea Of returning 20 regular employment.
The only thing that ever induced them to
work for day was FOR money 10 buy whiskey.
hey begged with piteous tales at the doors
and kitchens of farm-houscs keeping always
sharp lookout for chance TO steal Their
method Of capturing chickens is Ingenious
They sometimes bait hook aud line with
corr; sometimes they soak bread in rum and
mus make tue tO"iS luscuolpiSs iHts u''S
systems of signals. by which they appoint
places Of meeting. They mark with coloTed
chalk on fences, ricks or trees the signals
At night they meet, bringing with them the
plunder Of the day; in the morning they divide
into squads aud take different routes. There is
a rough brotherhood among them and q sort
of gypsy freemasonry That they enjoy the
long picnic, the wild lisence and the utter
al andon Of dignity, decency and honesty is be-
nj doubt But the most disquieting thing
about these revelations is that these vagranti
are ready to combine at any time into open
war upon society. This diary was KEEP. in
July last, at the time Of the railroad strikes,
aud it appears that there was a general move
ment of the tramps towards the lines Of rail
road, where they were ready for any lawless.
ness that was proposed The detectives found
in one neghborhood four hundred tramps wait
ing for strike on the Boston and Albany
road. which they intended to join. 1t was
noted at the time of the strikes everywhere
that very few employees Of the roads were
concerned in the work Of plumber and de-
structon. The tramps made the strike an
OCCASION for plumber. This act.should not be
lost sight OF in legislation on this subject.