The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-03-09
For the Democratic Advocate. J
THE TRAMP.
What Shall We Do With Him Gar
roll County VS.. Westminster.

The ouestion that now troubles the people OF TINS
county is What shall We do with the tramp? he
is human being with all the instincts il not all the
sensibilily of the rest Of the family II is unchari
table to let him starve and it is unkind to deprive
him of shelter and raiment. There is no law de-
nriving A citizen from ministering to the above
wants Of the tramp. There is no statutory law com
eliing You 20 care for him. though there is one ior
bidding cruelty to animals. The tramp is here ana
here to stay as long he Is well cared for II ne
not as wen treated here elsewhere he viii soon
migrate 10 more eongenial quarters Now whal
must ve do to relieve ourselves of the burden under
which the county made to groan by this class oil
;tineraptsg Reader. do you know what iteosts Car
ol county to take care OF the tramps7 costs about
SIP TO place this specimen OF humanity in our
county ia Ifin for 30 days with board at 40 cents
per iav SO more Is added. Il is highly probable
that he will want pair of shoes with which 70
enter again the broad Of lfe-another cost OF
not less than 90 cents The probabilities are thaI
hat coat shirt and other articles are needed We
viii not count these The bill is about 81, or about
so cents per day Iffor shorter term than 80 days
the expense per diem is increased. Now when we
consider the fact that over 90 have been IN our
county jail at one time this winter, II s~els one
item OF county expenses to wonderful proportions
Ninety men at 50 cents each would be s45 per day,
q about II. per uonktl A<ast 4hoAtHt @- N--f
itoyerran 5000; but suppose, at the figures above
yiven. 81 40 per month. for six months it would
amount 10 $500 Is this not heavy special tax on
carroll county, Would il not be much more eco
poneal for the county to onrte to the county town.
westminster. 81 500 TO build good safe lookup or
station house where these men could be cared Tor
Is not the city government competent TO pass an or
dinance compelling these people to do corporation
work. Can they not put them TO work on the county
roads or streets breaking sonc gutterng the streets
cleaning the alleys and, = fact any and everything
10 improve the sanitary condition of our city IL IS
not brutal to make these people work TO pay the eA
reuse they have incurred. Work IS honorable, ana
! majority of them are able to WORK. The city gov
ernment would be the beneficiary to some extent
while the benefit 20 the county would be very great
Yen cannot blame the County Commissioners for
these matters for It is matter in which they are
helpless. They are vexed and perpiexed over THIS
question but are compelled. in the absence Of sPe
cial law 10 act on the side Of humanity. and aes
promptly when these cases are broughtso their al
tentiou The writer OF this article thinks the plan
.poees,ea Is the best way out Of the dilemma The
averaec tramp viii not mrry long where be is re-
npire 20 earn his daily bread II the city govern
rent has not the power 20 do these things lei tnem
arouse 70 sense Of duty, and work ior the nonlhA-
non and election Of men for the House 81 Delegates
who are competent and willing 20 secure iof INC
,.st, snrh a charter or such an amended charter.
As win enable them 10 control these cases that may
u brought % the notice Of The municipal author
ites Thesc cases should be Iried before the mayor
Where one was elected who was incompetent 70 DIS
charge these duties the city governent should inr
nish him counsel Il would be their duty 70 elect
fawn baiiif whose whole time should be given
N he corporation as a peace officer. With these
,lnnues Tie county would be al less expense, the