The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-15
The SOIons, However, Amend That
Important Measure.
RESIDENTS CAN TRAMP AND BEG
But Non-Residcnts are Denied that
Privilege-Site for New House for
Engine Company No. . May be
Purchased-Othcr Business

ever. was so amended as TO allow any
citizen of Richmond, so minded, to turn
| tramp or beggar at his pleasure without
! danger OF police interference The Board
wished it distinctly understood, on the
other hand, that no resident of any other
| place can tramp or beg with impunity
in the city OF Richmond.
This amendment adopted by tho Board
| will necessitate another meeting Of the
! Common Council TO concur therein before
| the much-needed measure can become a
law.
The Board transacted a large guam
| tity OF business. important and unim-
| portant, and cleaned up every matter in
| sight.
The Board was called to order at $3.50
| o'clock by President Turpin, there being
| present Messrs. Bahen, Burton, Carter,
| Cutchins, Hardwicke. Noble, Snead,
Vaughan. zimmerman Allen, King,
| Brock Smith, Moore.
The Board concurred in a resolution
| from the Committee on Water providing
| that the Committees on Gas and Water
shall furnish free all necessary labor to
| encase gas and water pipes 10 those who
! put down granolithic paving.
The Board concurred in measures en-
/ acted by the Common Council and sub
| mitted. recommending certain street i'm
! provements, which have already been
! specified. and establishing the grade Of
certain streets.
THE TRAMP ORDINANCE.
The much discussed Tramp Ordi-
| nance" then came up for concurrence.
and after the reading Of the same Mr..
| Carter raised the point that there was
nothing in It to show that female vag-
rants were included.
Are we ready 10 put women on the
| rock-pile?" no asked.
Mr.. Cutchins called Mr.. Carter's atten-
! ton 10 the fact that Imprisonment with
or without work was in the discretion OF
| the Police Justice He thought however.
| that the ordinance was a little strict as
| there were many worthy women who
were forced to beg bread for their chill
dren.
Mr.. Turpin said he would be ashamed
| to vote for an ordinance which expressly
stated that man would be arrested for
! begging bred. He was in favor Of
| tramp law, but not of law which would
| jail a man for begging bread.
Mr.. Zimmerman said that the ordi-
| nance had been deliberately explained.
| and that there was great deal left 10
| the discretion OF the police department.
who could speedily determine what class
came within the purView Of the statute.
Mr.. Burton argued I'm favor Of the or
| dinance. and called attention 20 the terri
| BILE scourge that tramps are 70 Richmond.
| The ordinance. he said, was aimed at
| professionals who made IL dangerous for
| the women TO be left alone. Pass this
ordinance and tramps would avoid the
! city.
Mr.. Noble thought the ordinance a good
one and that il should be adopted.
Mr. Carter said that the ordinance
should specify professional" tramps, not
any person, even including women. It
was an inhuman measure, he said, TO get
at the tramps
Mr. Allen said that there were per-
sons living in Richmond who were pro-
fessiOnal beggars. and IL was the object
| Of the ordinance 10 break up this door
to door begging. The city. he said ap-
propriated a large amount yearly for
charity. and there were numerous elee-
mosynary institutions which rendered it
totally unnecessary for any one TO beg.
THEY WERE SHOCKED.
Mr.. Carter could not see it i'm that light
however. nor could Mr.. Turpin. Both Of
them expressed themselves as shocked
almost beyond measure.
Mr.. Carter concluded his speech by
Offering an amendment specifying that
only professional beggars and tramps
should be amenable 10 the statute.
Mr.. Cutchins suggested to Mr. Carter
and his suggestion was accepted. that no
one whose residence was in Richmond
should come under the ordinance.
Before a vote was taken on this amend
ment Mr.. Henry Lee Valentine. Of the
Young Mems Business Association. was
given the floor, on motion Of Major Al
len Mr.. Valentine showed IN a clear
speech. the necessity for the enactment
Of the ordinance lie showed how the
young men Of the city had spent thou
sands of dollars in helping the poor but
had recently been compelled to close be-
cause the citizens could not afford 10
give 10 the poor and take care Of the
tramps AT the same time
He begged the Council TO pass the ordi-
nance so it might be safe for the women
of the city to go 10 church alone or be
left al home without protectors.
Following Mr.. Valentines address the
amendment proposed TO the ordinance
by Mr.. Cutchins was adopted by vote
OF ten TO four, and the ordinance as
amended was then unanimously adopted.
The ordinance appropriating $500 for
the purchase Of suitable site for the
erection Of a house for Engine Company
No s, then came up, and Mr.. Carter
spoke against allowing the expenditure.
pointing out a number OF places where
he thought the money could be better
spent
NO NEW APPROPRIATION.
Mr.. Hardwicke called Mr.. Carters at
tention 70 the fact that there was no new
appropriation from the city needed; that
the Fire Commissioners merely wished
permission to spend for that purpose
money which had already been appro-
priated 10 the Fire Department He
also showed the great need of more room
there being not space enough in the
Brook avenue engine house for the men
10 be comfortable or healthy.
Mr.. Carter said he saw no necessity
for purchasing any new lot. The house
should be erected on the ground now oc-
cupied by the Brook avenue engine
house and the Third Police station moved
over the Third Market, which 1t was
proposed TO close 10.
The ordinance was then adopted only
Messrs. Carter and Vaughan voting
against 81.
The board concurred I'm a resolution
appropriating $50 10 Ohicer Percy c..
Minor who was severely wounded some
time ago. and his eyesight partially de-
stroyed.
The Roard concurred in the appropria-
ton Of $50 toward the repair Of the
James river bridge, 10 be available when
the city Of Manchester had contributed
a like amount.
The Board concurred in an ordinance
providing for the purchase Of certain
books for the city jail.
An ordinance authorizing the Commit
tee on Grounds and Buildings TO dispose
OF a certain triangular piece Of property
fronting ChimboraZo Park was taken up