Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-13
THE SUCCESS OF THE TRAMP LAW
 When the tramp law with which this Stat.

THE SUCCESS OF THE TRAMP LAW. When the tramp law with which this State Is blessed was passed some thought it would work great injustice, and few of the support CTS of the measure expected such uniformly good results from it as have shown themselves. It became plain soon after it went into effect, however. that it was just what was needed, and the evidence in it's favor has been abun- dant and unvarying ever since. Before it's passage Connecticut was overrun with tramps and those who lived in the country were in constant danger from and dread of them. Now all this is changed. The State is almost completely rid of the vagabonds, and the gen. eral feeling of insecurity among the rural population caused by their presence and deeds does not exist And in the cities the begging and stealing by tramps, which had grown to be intolerable, are now almost unknown.
 Just how beneficial this wise law has been the Hartford Courant has done good service in showing. It sent out 8 circular letter to the seleotmen of every town, the mayors of cities and the wardens of boroughs. The letter contained the following questions 1. Has the tramp law resulted in practi- cally freeing your town from tramps 2. Have you knowledge of the tramp law being used to oppress deserving men in any instance
 3. Is the tramp law sustained by public opinion in your town2
 4. Please mention specific benefits to your town derived from the operation of the tramp law, if any.
 The Courant has received replies from 151 of the 167 towns of the State, from all of the IS boroughs and from cities. The replies come alike from Democratic and Republican officers and are, as the Courant truly says, ssthe most notable tribute ever paid, in this State at least, to the beneficial working of new law" These returns are very remarka- ble for their unanimity, and they show: that the tramps have left the State that there has been no instance of oppression under the act and that public sentiment all over the State sustains the act
 Astonishing as it may seem, and is, there are only three of the 177 replies which do not approve the working of the law, and even these three are offset by contrary, not to say better, testimony from the same places. First Selectman Reynolds of New Haven, a selsetman in Derby, and the Mayor of New Britain do not think much of the law. MT. Reynolds answers the questions as follows:
 l. Not entirely, they are fewer, owing in part to increased employment. ?. Not here, though some have been arrested whose only fault or crime was want of work. 3. Opln- ions are divided but majority would vote against it if opportunity offered. 4. Know of no benefits the influence of the law tends to promote taking without leave (steal- ing) what cannot be asked for in charity.
 On the other hand, Chief Webster says:
 1. Yes. 9 No. 3. Yes. 4. It has been the means of driving from this city class of criminals who go around begging for the pur- pose of stealing. There IS not any begging from door to door as formerly, and the sta tion house does not have the number of tramps. There is scarcely any one stopping with us; occasionally there are two CT three who give us a call, but they are men that are unfortunately compelled to stay over night and do not come the second time. Number of tramps lodged at station house from April 1st, 1873, to January 1st, 1879, 2,132; from April 1st, 1879, to January lst, 1880, 430. Of statistics of New Haven lockup-Number of lodgsrs from May 1st to Nov. 1st, 1878; May, male 245; female, 3 June, male 126, female 6; July, male BE- female 10; August, male 1O3, female 8 Sept, male 105, female 5; Oct, male 233, female 9; total, 93O. Mum Der of lodgers from May 1st to Nov. 1st, 1879; May, male 20, female 5; June, male IT, female 1; July, male 27, female 2; Aug, male 16 female 0, Sept, male 24, female 8 !; Oct, male 29, female 5 :; 152.
 MT. Reynolds thinks majority of the peo- pie of New Haven would vote against the law if opportunity offered. We do not believe it. The people of New Haven are too well satis- fled with being rid of the tramp nuisance to run any risk of bringing it back.
 The result of this comprehensive inquiry by the Courant is absolutely conclusive as to the immense benefits of the tramp law. It is also very valuable as material for legislators in other States where there is no tramp law, and where the experiment which has been so successful in Connecticut has been watched with interest.