Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-26
ma woman and the Tramp.

The Woman and the Tramp
Henrico is wealthy enough TO maintain
q better police system than she now has
Either she ought to police her territory
better than she does or she should consent
to let Richmond incorporate such suburbs
az Barton Heights, Chestnut Hin. &C.
AT present there Is complaint from
many OF the suburbans against the pres
enes OF tramps, who knowing that they
will not be watched 80 closely in the
county an they are In the city, make
themselves very much at home In the
suburbs.
In many. cases where women are left
alone in their houses. very uncomfort-
able feeling comes over them when some
burly fellow thrusts himself into the
house or yard and brusquely demands
food. Tramp or no tramp, this question
OF police IL one that Henrico must meet
before long Environing Richmond as she
does she will always DO resorted to by
Richmond criminals who do not enjoy
being eyed too sharply by the police. a
large part OF the county's population Is
suburban population. and they pay
enough taxes TO entitle them TO have
good police protection. The farmers too'
begin 10 need police protection. and de-
serve 1t likewise.
This winter Is going TO be a great sea-
son for tramps. The patience OF Rich
mond people has been very nearly ex-
hausted by them already. After awhile
we shall have to rise up against them,
and have our police chase them out,
and then they will repair to the suburbs
there 10 claim that hospitality which
they will not be so certain Of here
There is no more abjectly pitiable OBJ
feet than a woman in terror OF her life
| from a man. Often the fright Is foolish
and unreasonable; but It IS not always
40. Deeds have been done by these
tramps which have called lynching par
ties into existence and justified the sum-
mary execution OF unofficial justice.
Let Henrico begin to consider how she
| may police her territory better The num-
Der OF serious crimes committed within
her borders would justify her in having
body OF mounted police. AS long as
| Richmond is populous city Henrico Will
always be more or less a place OF re-
fuge for offenders against the law, who,
added to her own law-breakers, will
make very considerable criminal COM
munity. To reduce this evil to the mini
mum should be the resolve OF the county
| authorities.
In all the hosts OF tramps who I'LL the
county roads and skirt those cities where
their presence is known 10 be objection
able, It Is remarkable how few negroes
are found. Usually these rowing bands OF
hungry men are young white men, many
indeed of very tender years. The negro Is
seldom driven to the strait of having to
beg his bread. He knows a better trick
than that. With the women OF his race
he is n fascinating love-maker and usu-
ally has one or two sweethearts among
the servants OF the we!l-to-do people.
Thus while the white tramp Is begging
supper at some country house or sub
urban home he IL sitting nj table I'm a
well-warmed kitchen eating, and discuss
ing the news OF the day. While his white
brother Is lucky 10 find n hayrick where
in to coil up and sleep at night, he has
found a snug bed under a roof upon
which winds and rain. sleet ana snow
beat in vain. Thus few colored men be-
come tramps. They have not the adyen-
turous daring required for such a no
madlc life. and they know better how to
get good, square meals and warm
| beds.
often good men have been forced by
cruel necessity into the ranks OF tramps,
but society will not willingly tolerate the
sight OF bands OF rough, strange men
going from house TO house ready with
threats or entreaties. Establishments or
| force. to get the food thoy need. There
are better ways for the public TO provide
them with the necessities OF life. Soup
houses will have to be established I'm all
large cities. and lodgings must be
provided for those who would
stay with us but for night. In self
defence we shall have 10 make them
move on" Our own poor will be quite
| enough for US to undertake TO care for.