Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-06
.~ofNex Hampshire. which has worked

section ought to be amended anu cneu
case in his own experience where Inlnstlce
would have been done 1t would supject 'iie
honest man in pursuit of labor to severe
penalties.
Mr.. VERRrLL said the case cited did not
come within the provisions OF the section. -,
Mr.. PLAIsrEp Of Lincoln, thought the bill
went too far in the endeavor to remedy the
evil tramps. The necessity for the law, II
it ever existed, had ceased.
Mr.. HALL of Nobleboro' said the town OF
New Castle had entertained between three
and four hundred ramps in the last year at
an expense of S4o0.
Mr.. VEnRuL did not see that the necessl-
~ for the bill had ceased. If something was
not done the evil would increase. He re-
ferred to the fact that atrocious crimes are
being committed by this lawless body OF
men going about the country.
Mr.. Goss of Bath said his section was
Overrun with tramps, and he believed there
should be something to abate the nuisance.
Mr.. SpRouL of Veasie said there should be
some law TO nut tramps to hard labor. No
honest man would be convicted under it.
The motion to strike out secs. and was
lost.
Mr.. DicKEY of Fl Kent moved to amend
so that the law shall not affect residents OF
this State Mr.. Young of Brunswick thought
the amendment offered premium to tramps
to move in and become residents.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. DIcKEY of Fl. Kent earnestly opposed
the bill as being an oppressive measure. he
referred to his own section and to the effects
such law would have in that region. 1t
would be an outrage.
On motion of Mr.. VERRILL the vote strik-
ing out sec. was recOnsidered,
Senate amendment reducing the reward
from ten to five dollars for the arrest and con-
victIon of tramp was then adopted.
Mr. LEWIS of Springfield then moved to
amend by inserting after the words, ''any per-
son going about from place to place begging
and asking or subsisting upon charity, the
words land refusing to work." shall be
deemed tramp.
Mr.. SrRour of Portland advocated the bill.
Mr.. Howard OF MOntvllc opposed the
measure and concurred in the remark that it
would be an outrage to put upon our statute
books.
Speaker WEEKS took the floor in opposition
to the bill. He looked upon it as most I'M
just towards poor men, with whom he had
done business largely for years. He employed
men at South Gardiner and they often walked
from Augusta to their place of business. 1t
was not impossible that one Of them might
ask for food, and if so, ne
would be liable TO be seized
by some shvlock of an officer o. Pttston or
Gardiner without intending any reflection
upon those towns) placed in Jail and induced
to plead guilty because it would 60 easier
with him. The officer gets the reward of
s. mentioned in the bill and the man is
locked up in Jail and the county must pay his
bills. 1t is a grand thing for the officer and
jailer. Our sheriffs and constables are gener.
ally very nice men, bnt there are some who
are irresponsible, am they load this county
with large bills. Our criminal costs are
some $4,000 year and our Jail is full of
men, caused lar, ely by these irresponsible
officers. lie believed the bill would operate
against the poor and unfortunate,
for the class of officers he had mentioned
would arrest an honest man as quick as a
professional tramp. 1t is the money thew
want.
Mr.. LEWIS withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. VERRILL of Portland, said the bill is |
intended to send these professional tramps to
The State prison at labor, where they will not
be an expense to counties. He moved to |
strike out the first three lines in the
first section section and insert the |
words IF any person goes about from place |
10 place, begging and asking, or subsisting
Ipon charity, it shall be evidence that he is a |
ramp Adopted.
Mr.. MCkUsICK of Calais moved to strike |
,at the provision for reward. Lost.
Mr.. INGALLS, Of Wiscasset, opposed the bill |
Is intiicting too severe penalty for single |
,ct of asking a nights lodging; for he under |
stood that there is a provision of law that no |
to the State prison shall be made
or less than one year.
Mr.. STROUT of Portland, disclaimed any
lesire to have passed bill operating to the
disadvantage of the poor and honest He did |
lot think any injury could come to them from
he measure. He was only opposed to the
men not entitled to charity.
MIR. BRADsTREET of Bridgton. had no NOR.
y for those too proud to work. and not too
proud to beg. The professional tramp should
'e in State prison.
He would vote for the bill if it could he
lmended in certain respects.
Mr.. WILSON of Orono was astonished that
uch bill should be reported to the House.
lnd ne thought the committee must have for
rotten the doctrine inculcated in the New
testament. He regarded it as one of the
most cruel and unreasonable bills he had ev-
y seen. and moved to indefinitely postpone.
Mr.. NERRILL said he was DESTROYS that the
S"'isiattpfN u ali. ana TO OBJ !
late the objections he was willing to have
he provision for a reward stricken out and
o amend sec. . by adding. 'sall the proyis-
ons OF this act foc penalties and punishment
y imprisonment in the State Prison shall no
onstrued to authorize courts imposing sem
ences, to sentence tramps to the State Prison
or shorter term than ono year in their dis
retion.'
The amendments suggested were adopted
Mr.. INGALLS, said the amendments removed
IL objection to the bill and he could verv
heerfully support it,
The bill was then passed to be engro.sed
On motion of Mr.. YOUNG of brunswick
esoive in favor of the Industrial School for
iris was taken up and amended bv ADDING
re words for the use of the Industrial
'chool for Girls" The resolve was then
cad and assigned for Wednesday.
On motion of Mr.. Yorxe of Rrunsx;cl
Dr. Farrell of Van Buren, was excu.ed
rom further attendance on this session of the
9th. "'e"
On motion Of Mr. McKusrcx Of Cala;. hill,
n act to amend sec. ~ Of chap. 81 of the
evised statutes, was taken up, amended and
assed to be engrossed.
On motion of Mr.. Mason of Limerick hill
act to incorporate the Black Brook and
Win River improvement Company, was tn
en- up and the amendment offered bv Nr
hutchinson Of Lewiston, amended on motion
MI NerTlll Of Portland. The Amendment,
a. ttrnv. I'D.