The herald., 1896-02-17
THE TRAMPS FRATERNITY
"De Push" a Recognized lnstitu-
tion in Prisons and Jails
WORKINGS OF THE SYSTEM
Thoroughly Organized With Full Rules
and Regulations
The Captain Is an Absolute Honarch, and
There Is No Appeal From His Decisions
Punishment Of Offe encers

1t is fact not generally known that the
sons of rest, otherwise known as the tramp
fraternity, have an org anization which ex.
tends throughout the United States. This
organization is known by the expressive
name of ''De Push,' and there is not a Jail
or prison in the union where its influence
is not felt. There are no elaborate codes
Of grips or signals of any kind, but in some
occult manner the members of this unique
organization make themselves known to
one another and in an incredibly short time
after Weary Willie meets Ragged RaggIes
in the chain-gaEg cell they are fraternizing
on the best of terms, il
in the expressive tramp ver-
nacular, "They are next to themselves"
Weary Willie may be down to hard-pan
when he is thrown in, without even
"snipe'' to console himself with, but If he
can read his title clear, it will only be a
few minutes before the new arrival is pre-
sented to the captain when he is made
welcome, is handed out his allowance of
tobacco from the common sack, and If it
is between meals, is provided with food
from the common sack, the bill of fare of
course being regulated from day to day by
the success of "the gang in stealing pro-
| visions from the Jail stock, or by the luck
of the members ON the outside in gathering
luXuries and passing them to their fellows
who may be still working for the city for
! their board.
DE Push" is particularly strong at the
city prison at this time, owing to the large
| number of boxcar tourists now doing time.
There are something over seventy men
now OH the chain-gang. and there are men
among them who have done time in almost
| every jail from New York to San Fran
| cisco, and from the British TO the Mexican
borders. They are queer lot taken alto
gether, and among them may be found
men who have occupied almost every posi-
ton in life. ''De Push is recognized by
| the Jail officials, and to certain extent
encouraged, for "De Push" is strict dis
| ciplinaran, and its influence is a potent
| factor in maintaining order among the
| nondescript crowd herded together in the
big cbain.gang cell. "De Pusho has
| regularly elected captain, generally man
of muscle. ready at all times to defend his
| position by that most potent of arguments,
| his strong right arm. and woe betlde the
unlucky individual who "bucks' against
his authority. He rules with an iron hand,
| and any insubordination or infraction OF
| the rules is visited with summary punish
ment.
| The captain has charge of the tobacco
| bag, and all contributions must be prompt
| ly turned over to him without question. to
be distributed by him as he sees fit. Every
| morning a certain amount is handed out
| for the use of the chain-gang, and this is
taken in charge by two lieutenants APP
| pointed by the captain for this purpose.
The general supply is kept up by contribu-
| tions from members of the fraternity who
have served their terms, and who never
forget their confreres behind the bars. 1t
is the same with fruit and other delicacies
not on the prison bill of fare. A member
of ''de push'' is discharged, and the first
thing he does on gaming his freed0ntis to
''rustle'' for the others on the inside.
Sometimes the contribution consists OF half
| a dozen loaves of bread, then it may be
few pies, but generally is fruit, mostly
oranges. Only short time ago young fell
I low, a new membar of the organization, on
| being discharged asked the jailor if he
could send in "the boys' some oranges.
remarked as he was preparing to leave
that he would go up to Riverside for the
fruit. But how will you do that?'' asked
the jailor; ''you have no money" "That's
all right replied the youth; ~ will be
back tonight with the fruit Sure enough
evening with a large sack Of navel
oranges, which were duly turned over to
the captain, and that evening ''De Push''
had fruit for dessert. while those not
/ on the inside sat around and saw the others
Go-ging themselves. not even being asked
J TO have d pccls Iu0 yOuuk tdu
actually beat his way to Riverside, stolen
the oranges and beat his way back on the
| train. delivering the fruit as he had prom.
ised the same evening. This is. of course,
| an exceptional case, but it illustrates to
! what extremes these outcasts will go for
one another. 1t is the same way in all
things. If one of the members has
chance to steal an extra loaf OF bread, it is
| appropriated and is turned over to the cap
tain for use when rations are short.
In the matter of punishment There are
but few formalities. Any member guilty
of ''unprofessonal" conduct is reported to
the captain, who DEGREES his punishment,
and the beauty of the system is that there
is no appeal from his decision. If it is a
small matter, such as helping himself to
tobacco, or making away with portion
| of the reserve stock of provisions. the pun
shment is generally light. such as depriv-
ing the offender of his privileges for from
one day to week. But If it is something
serious, for instance, telling the jailer
about anything that transpires in the cell
summary vengeance is meted out. When
the lights are turned down, just as the
the head OF the unfortunate to drown
his cries, and three or four husky individ-
uals jump upon him and administer se-
we're drubbing. literally beating him into
subsection. Should the man make himself
heard, and attract the attention of the
taller, the blanket is quickly jerked from
his head, and before the officer can get in
and turn up the light all of the men are app
parently sound asleep and know nothing
of what has transpired, and all that can be
done is to take the unfortunate out of the
cell, fin him up and put him to sleep some.
where else.
! Great is the power of "De Pusll,'' and
while it has its drawbacks 1t also has it's
advantages. and as long as there are
.'hobos'' the unique institution will prob.
ably prevail.