Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-16
THURSDAY. DECEMBER Is, 1897
TIE TRAMPS.

THE TRAMPS.
The Dispatch protests against the doc
trine that legislation hostile to the pro-
fessional tramp is "class legislation"
And yet, in a sense. the professional
tramp is almost a distinct genus homo.
Rarely indeed would the honest, horny
handed mechanic going from place TO
place seeking work at his trade be mis-
taken for the idle vagabond who spends
his life roaming over the country, and
who will burn barn for revenge, or as
sault woman If she be found unprotect-
ed
Many are the adversities that overtake
laboring~men when suddenly thrown out
of work in strange places; but seldom
are they to be found without credentials
as 10 their character and workmanlike
qualifications. And though they should be
compelled to beg, almost invariably they
can establish their identity when called
upon to do so. Not so the tramp. lie
wants no work; he avoids the police, and
seldom can he give any credible account
OF where he has been or whittier he is
going.
The police of Richmond, II called upon
70 execute tramp ordinance. would find
Il easy and agreeable to separate the
two kinds of men, even though both
should be found in the streets begging
bread.
A great many of the cities and towns
of this country have passed laws hostile
TO tramps, and the consequence is that
the tramps avoid those places and seek
others where they may have full swing. ="
as 1t were 1t is imperative that Rich
mond should join one class Of cities or
the other She must drive the tramps
off or invite them in. If we have not
worthy poor enough OF our own upon
whom TO bestow our aims. why. we say,
by all means, open the gates to the pro-
fessional tramp. But, on the other hand,
IL we are of the opinion that our re-
sources will be strained this winter to
provide food for those who live amongst
us and have a special claim upon our
bounty, then we should legislate against
the professional tramps.
Upon the question of so doing we
should be quite willing TO take the judg-
ment OF the workingmen OF this city, and
especially OF those who are householders
and heads Of families. Nearly all Of
them know how frequently they are beg
ged or bullied by tramps. Nearly all of
them know how often their wives and
daughters are frightened by the sudden
appearance upon their premises of these
dangerous men.
Again. nearly all Of our working-people
are members OF church or benevolent So
cieties. and thus know that there are
hundreds OF our own poor whom we must
care for for months TO come, or else we
shall see them thrown upon the streets
TO beg their daily bread.
1t appears that there are two drafts of
ordinances that have been proposed TO
accomplish the object in view. One comes
from Mr. Brock and the other from the
Young Mems Business Association. The
latter has the advantage Of having been
revised by the City Attorney, after con-
suitation with the Chief of Police and
others For this reason, we suppose It Is
may be, the entire subject has again been
committed TO a committee Of the Board
OF Aldermen, and we ask II TO give the
matter full consideration. Let II hear
the Chief of Police; let IL hear the Police
Justice; let II hear representative citi-
zens businessmen and workingmen): let
II hear the leaders OF our charitable en-
terprises-men and wonderland II the con-
sensus OF opinion be not favorable TO
legislation upon the subject, then we say
drop the question at once. There can be
no objection 10 full investigation. pro-
yided that no unnecessary time be lost
therein. What we object to is that the
ordinance should be hooted down as some
thing unheard OF. or as preiudicial 10
the interests Of the laboring-men OF our
community or Of their fellows who may
come here in search OF employment.