Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1879-07-26
Camp Tramp.

"born tried" and there are a goot
many others who, if. they do no
posse IS their leading characteristic
of laziness by inheritance, acquire
it by diligent cultivation of a dis
inclination to work. Specimens O
these classes can easily be found il
any community, and. when, "lik,
birds of a feather" they "fiock to
gether," they are able TO form i;
community by themselves. Sucl
communities are unknown in States
with rigid and faithfully .execut.
ed anti-tramp law; but New
York, through the resusal of Gov
Robinson to sign an act passed by
the last Legislature calculated tt
rid the State of the obnoxious va
grants, is afflicted with a camp Of
tramps. which is graphically de-
scribed by the New York Times. II
is located in pleasant cedar grove
near Quassick creek, in the town OF
New Windsor. At one time the
camp (which is now known as Bum.
mer's hill) included as many as 15C
vagabonds, but as they are comm 6
and going all the time the average
does not exceed IS. Before they
took possession of the grove they
settled in Newburg, just across the
creek, but a raid Of the authorities
compelled sudden change Of quar-
tiers. The police force of New
Windsor, however, is limited to
three or four constables, who are
held in unspeakable contempt by
the tramps. Having things their
own way the latter make the most
outrageous levies upon the neigh
boring farmers. Fowls, vegetables,
fruit, clothing and everything por-
table are seized and boldly carried
off in broad daylight. The protests
of the victims are laughed at, and
all the satisfaction rendered them
is the pleasant advice to get their
cut. The colony b as been
ia the grove three weeks, and not
All arrest has been made.
The men comprise large variety
If natiOnalities, and are as hard a
set as could be found outside of a
State prison. They are strong,
muscular and we'll developed men.
Most of them are old stagers, who
Turing winter infest the large cities,
md sleep in station houses and sub
list on the public soup. They pass
he day in playing cards, dice and
heckers aud fOraging. Three of
he gang make a little money by
attooing young boys, and this mon
y is Invariably invested in alcohol,
'hich, diluted with a little water,
rms the staple beverage of the
arty. The reporter suggested to
,me of the gang that farm lab0rers
ere in demand at S1.50 a day and
BARD, but the "bOss" laughed at !
e idea. "What's the use of cove
orking for e1.50 when you can
It lots of grub without it. Yer
uldn't get no such victuals as
en-" he said, pointing to the re-
aims of spring chicken scattered O
ar the embers of dying camp. M
e. The views of the ''boss'' were =,
AIRED by the entire company. The =,
ng have more than worn out their .
,lcOme and are about to break Z
mp, 10 meet again III few weeks y
HOrnellsville. The Windsor Ii
Ople will rejoice to witness their r
parture, but the towns through -,
ich they must pass, in groups Of =,
D or three, will be burdened with
,ir support. The communities "
ich they infest naturally view ST
v. Robinson's refusal to sign the 81
,i-tramp bill with feelings of dis >.
st. The tramps defy the authori. "
); they say the world owes them 81
wing, and they are bound to get II
BY and by perhaps these gen. bl
will be taught that the world XII
ends that they shall earn their 90,
ny. ~.