The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-03-29

ers Of our cities and towns, and who do not,
like the poor tramp, beg for q living, but get
IL by picking pockets and by other foul
means Of indirection. l cannot conceive
why we should make laws to punish this
particular class called tramps and let other
vile, corrupt classes go, such as political
bummers and thieves in high places, who
are sumptuously feasting on the life and vi
tality Of the nation. Mr.. Speaker we do
not need this kind of law, | stigmatize it
as q harsh, austere bill, without a single re-
dceming quality. Such laws as this will
not better the condition Of our people. 1t
will not give more work to the unemployed,
and it is work we want for our men, and
unless you find work for the suffering thous-
nnds, you cannot get rid Of the tramps, for
men will tramp and beg before they and
their families will starve, aud they have a
right to do SO. The thing that is most need
ed now is honesty, retrenchment and reform
right here, and in every government de-
partment of the State and nation. Enforce
the existing penal law and we need no Law
to immolato the unfortunate tramp. Mem
bers on this floor have made elaborate speech
es in favor of the rights Of the heather Chi
nesc. Now, if they are such great philan-
| thropists, let them say few words in favor
Of the rights Of their own race, and give
their votes to kill this inhuman bill.
| God made the tramps as well as the bank
ers sons, and lie made them as free as other
men. He did not intend that they should
| undergo an ostracism at the hands of any
privileged class who happen to be blessed
with more than enough Of the good things
of this world, men who have lived lives OF
ease and idleness, and glory in having this
| fact published in their biographies. 1t
] ~ mr. pf ChOnlH
not introduce a bill here to nllict such in
| human punishment upon men whose avO-
cation in life is quite as dignified and GER
tainly Of as much value to the public as
that Of the rich drone for, although the
tramp may be ragged, he may also have a
mind and a character, though warped by
circumstances, that would do credit to some
who are SO deadly opposed to him. Now
Mr.. Speaker, we have existing penal laws
and | believe if Il tramp commits any dep
relation these laws will apply to him a.
well as TO any other citizen or person, and
and that he can be punished in accordance
with the provisions Of those laws, hence
do not see the necessity of passing law o
this kind. All it can do is to fill our pool
houses, for if men cannot get work, anC
dare not tramp to look for it, they mus
go to the poor house. | think that any
man VINO wants 10 tramp mas inc rlSnJ o
freeman to do so, and he also has the
right to ask for food and drink to sustain lilt
on his journey. God made all men free
and equal, and we have no right to draw
such distinction. !: hope, Mr.. Speaker
that the members of this House will re
cognize the rights of all men, the tramp
included, and give this bill what it merits
an emphatic defeat.
Mr.. Speaker, there is a power that rule
the destiny of all men, and we cannot leg
islate these men into happy homes, sur
rounded by the luXuries of life, we have NJ
right to lcgslate them into prisons, hard
ships and misery. Pennsylvania is a big
broad State, full of lofty mountains ant
lovely valleys, and if any man wants t.
roam over those mountains, and througl
those valleys, and feast his eyes on tn
beauties of nature, he has an unquestiona
ble right to do it. | dispisc the maj
whose narrow heart bids him support
measure so unjust to his iellowman as thi
is. When hear such iniquitous measure
as this advocated here, it reminds me q
what Robert Burns said, that "Man's in
humanity to man makes countless thou
sands mourn" | am opposed TO this bill
and ] thank God that majority of the peo
pie of this State are blessed with good heart
and would rather give a tramp piece G
bread than to send HIM to prison.