The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-26
A BIG ARMY OF TRAMPS.
THERE ARE ONE THOUSAND OF
THEM IN AND AROUND RICHMOND.
Few are From Virginia, While England,
Ireland, and Germany are Well Repre-
sented-Don't Like Manchester.

During the last three months nearly
500 tramps have been given lodgings al
the different police stations Of the city,
Yesterday L visited each station and IN
terviewed the officers, who very courte-
ously gave me some information in regard
TO the number Of tramps who. at present.
seem to be literally infesting the city
In the warm weather, when they can
sleep out of doors, the number VINO asA
for nights lodgings are comparatiVely
small. but as winter comes on, ana lne
cold night winds begin to make them
selves felt through the patches in the
travellers clothes, the number increases
till the officers are forced TO turn them
away for the want Of accommodation.
There are four cells in each station,
where there are no prisoners. Inc
tramps are put in these cells, but should
the latter be full, as is often the case,
the officers have no alternative but TO
turn the tramp off, thus leaving him TO
wander around the street, TO commit
some petty crime for which he is sent
TO the city Jail and kept for the winter
at the city's expense.
The average tramp is an utterly worth
very great nuisance TO the public.
From the cradle TO IN. Grave.
The average age IS from twenty TO TWEEN
ty-fiye years, but instances are not rare
where they are only ten years old. From
this age they run up 10 sixty and sew
enty-fiye years. The American tramps
are mostly from the North and West,
while England, Ireland, Scotland and
fpI,
IL is a noticeable fact that. though Nir-
ginia seems 70 be central point for
them, she has fewer native tramps than
any other State.
There are numbers who never ask for
admittance at the police-stauons. When
/ asked for rough estimate Of the num-
Der who were In and around Richmond,
] learned that the total would reach a
thousand. IL not more This is a big army
of the riff-raff and scum Of the earth,
when It Is taken into consideration that
these men have no means of support.
except what they beg and steal.
II will be seen at a glance that the
ratio of crime must be largely increased.
The city Jail is filled with men who
are there simply for the winter, having
committed some petty crime, which
would give them sixty or ninety days,
and a home and food at the public
expense. The tramp rs a rule IS a
professional beggar and thief. In the
summer they travel from place TO place.
committing depredations at night and
i'm some instances crimes Of a more seri-
GUS nature. The streets OF the city are
not safe after dark for ladies and child
rem 10 walk upon, with such a horde
Of vagabonds at liberty. The police
officers try to get them out Of the city.
but IL seems TO be impossible. AS soon
as they are turned out Of the corpora
tion they come straight back.
Not : uck on Manchester.
The City Council Of Manchester was
forced TO take some steps i'm regard to
them. An ordinance was passed TO che
effect that every tramp who was caught
within the city limits. and who could
not give satisfactory account OF him
self. should be put in the chain-gaug
and set 70 work.
Since the passing OF this ordinance. the
tramps have gotten wind OF it and It
is impossible TO get them TO go to Man
chester, much to the relief Of the citi-
zeus across the river.
The city Jail is filled TO overhowing
with the knights Of the turnpike, and
with the number stin left IL is very
likely that the police criminal docket
will be an unusually heavy one this
winter. The tramp has a strong anti
pathy for work Ii is repulsive TO his
more refined feelings If the chain-gang
system were adopted IN this city It is
more than likely that this army OF
"do nothings" would leave for parts I'M
known.