Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-06-26


and follow tramping for pleasure.
Il is not the less a social enormity.
regarded from an economic stand
point, because il may lie compul-
sorry, or because laws or social con-
ditions have compelled some to
become trau6ps. The causes OF the
tramp evil may be interesting for
theorists in the colleges to specu-
late about, but the question before
society is not what is the correct
theory of his origin, but what shall
be done with the tramp now that
he IL here. The most perfect sci
enti6c theory as to the chuse of
trampism would not do so much
to destroy trampism as the success
full experiment of the farmer in
setting one tramp to work brush
ing his land. Trampism as it now
exists in our country is known 10y
three well-de6ned traits: idleness,
mendicancy, nomadizing. A fourth
element is a variable degree of
criminality, ranging all the way
from petty larceny to child steal
ing, rape, murder and arson 1t
will be- readily seen that this class
possessing these traits, the provi-
dent wood-sawing association does
not reach. The second objection
to the provident association is that
it is apparently in private hands,
and completes in the market of
free labor as a charitable institu-
ton. 1t is no remedy for the man
who will not work, for it cannot
bring force to bear. The plain
remedy for trampism is the organ
ization, diciplining and employ
ment of the tramp.
1t is the duty of the state to en-.
act laws that shall regulate the
tramp, and protect the citizens
against him. Let a stockade of
several hundred acres of wild land.
timber land whenever it eau be
had, be enclosed aud owned by the
county, in every county i'll the
state. In other states where this
is not practicable, a smaller stock.
AIDE for other employment must bt
used. But in the newer states the
NEST profitable employment foI
compulsory labor must remain til,
suLjugation of wild land. Within
tins stockade let plain barracks b'
erected on the cottage plan. b,
proper direction all this can b,
done with tramp labor. Let stray
and blankets be supplied, and N
open fireplace for each cottage
Only the actual necessities of shell
ter and comfort should be SUP
piled forthe novice who is sentenC
ed to the barracks. The PLANES
and cheapest food should be SUP
, piled in abundance, and all tohac
co aud liquor cut off. A uniform
of duck or other material must b
supplied, that all may be know
by their having the same appear
ance everywhere, and all othe
clothing destroyed. A free bat
should be supplied, aud all re
quired to take it. Their labc
should be clearing and tilling I'll
land in this Enclosure by han'
There should be no labor savin
machinery employed in a tram
cry. as this institution might
named. The land shall br cleare
with mattock and ax. The 81
shall be titled with spade and no
as it is done in England al
France to this day. This wouI
afford the largest possible amour
of labor within Que inclosure. III
sentences to the trampery shou.
, come from the county or poll,
y, courts, and should he indefnit
but never for less time than
make the cure of tlampism radici
V Whenever the disorganized citiz,
becomes organized aud capable
self-support and srlf-dir, ciion as
free man, he could be allowed to
on parole. But until then he mn
lose his identity, his freedom, n
his vote, just as completely as Il
man in the state prison. A syste
of rewards for meritorious condu
should be invented, to draw o
and develop the best services al
e the best traits of the men. ]
a soon as TRUSTEES could be fOuu
g they could be let out in hands
n ten or twenty to clear lauds in d
ueighborhood Eek.
y ADJUTANT GENERAL TIMoTT
If j. TARsNFY. of Colorado. who