Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-08-18
TIE TRAMP PROBLEM,
THE RIGHTS OF MEN TO NC
MADlC LIFE

\ Proposed Remedy for the Evil-sct
the Tramp to Subduing wild Land
Buildrns and Managing Trampery-.
Parole and Rewards.
No one will argue that man has
the right to become Il tramp. and fol
low tramping for pleasure 1t is not
the less social enormity. regarded
from an economic standpoint, because
it may be compulsory. or because laws
or social conditions have compelled
some to become trampS. The causes
of the tramp evil may be interesting
for theorists in the college to Spccll-
late about, but the question before So
cicty is not what is the correct theory
of his origin, but what shall be done
with the tramp now that he is here.
The most scientific theory as to the
cause of trampiSm would not do SO
much to destroy trampism as the sue
crSSful experiment of the farmer in
setting one tramp to work brushing
his land. Trampism as it now exists
in our country is known by three we'll
defined traits: Idlcncss. mcndicancy,
nomadizing. A fourth element is II
variable degree of criminality. rang
ing all the way from petty larceny to
child stealing. rape, murder and arson.
1t will be readily seen that this class
possessing these traits, the providcnt
wood-Sawing association does not
reach. The second objection to the
providcnt association is that it is APP
parcntly in private hands. and COM
prtcS in the market of free labor as il
charitable institution. 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 organiZa-
ron. disciplining and employment of
the tramp
Ii is the duty of the State to enact
laws that shall regulate the tramp,
and protect its citizens against him.
Let il Stockadc of several hundred
acres of wild land-timbcr land when
ever it can be had-be inclOScd and
owned by the county in each county in
the state. In other States where this
is not practicable, Il smaller Stockadc
for other employment must be used.
But in the newer States the most
profitable employment for compulsory
labor must remain the subiugation of
wild land. Within this stockade let
plain barracks be erected on the cot
tHgc plan. BY proper direction all this
can he done with tramp labor. Let
straw and blankets be supplied. and
an open fireplace for each cottage.
Only the actual necessities of shelter
and comfort should be supplied for the
novice who lis sentenced to the bar
racks The plainest and cheapest food
should be supplied in abundance, and
all tobacco and liquor cut off. uni
form of duck or other material must
be supplied. that all may be known by
their having the same appearance
everywhere. and all other clothing de-
Stroyed. A free bath should be sup
piled. and all required to take it.
Their labor should be clearing and
tilling the land in this incloSurc by
hand. There should be no labor-sav-
ing machinery employed in Il tramp
cry, rs this institution might be
named The land shall be cleared
with ma,tock and AK. The soil shall
be TILED with spade and hoe, as is
done in England and France to this
day. This would afford the largest
possible amount of labor within one
incloSurc The sentences to the tramp
cry should come from the county or
police courts, and should ne indefinite,
but never for less time than 10 make
III" cure of trampism radical. When
ever the disorganiZcd citizen became
organized and capable of srlf-support
and Sclf-dircctiOn as Il free man. he
could be allowed to go on parole But
until then he must lose his identity.
his freedom. and his vote, just as
completely as the man in the State
prison. A system of rewards for mcri-
toriouS conduct should be invented. to
draw out and develop the best SER
vices and the best traits of the men.
As soon as TRUSTEES could be found.
they could be let out in bands of ten
or twenty to clear lands in the neigh
borhood.-E. Hofcr, in the Overland
Monthly