Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-19
ExTrupATE 1T.


should take. and take promptly. steps
20 extirrate the tramp nuisance. Nightly
the members OF the guild have become
more aggressive, until the question of
clearing the city OF them and affording
women and children protection from be-
ing frightened by them is now an Issue.
And IL is an issue that the community
will not allow the Council TO dodge The
demand for relief must be met. or the
voters will. at the next municipal cleo
ton. know the reason why.
The way. and the only way. to cope
successfully with the evil is to apply the
hard-labor cure. There is no sound rea-
son why II should not be applied. There
is no obstacle In the way OF applying 1t
with great efficacy that cannot be easily
| overcome. The matter rests entirely with
the Council Section SS5 of the Code,
known as the Vagrant act, prescribes
( the hard-labor cure. 1t only remains for
the Council to put in operation the ma
chinery for administering the cure That
done. and the end of the tramp nuisance
is assured.
The ordinance drafted by City-Attorney
Meredith. which passed one branch OF
the Council and failed in the other, would,
we understand work TO give force and
effect to the section of the Code above
referred TO. 1t will. we learn, be brought
I'D in the Council again. If it or some
other ordinance that would accomplish
| the desired end shall fail of passage, the
councilmen responsible for failure will
have dehed their constituency Of all
| classes.
As we have said before in discussing
this matter we take no stock in the argu-
ment that the application of the hard
labor cure would take the bread out OF
the mouths of honest laborers. or prevent
honest laborers from getting jobs. The
very wording Of the State law the ordi-
nance is designed 10 enforce deprives that
suggestion Of any force. Nor is there
any force in the assertion that the law
would entail other hardships upon our own
DOOR who might be out of employment,
and therefore might be compelled to seek
assistance. The law is aimed clearly at
the tramp and vagrant class-those who
90 from city TO city and from town 10
town annoying and intimidating people
and preying on the community and who
would not work if work was offered them.
If bv chance and the chance is re-
mote. one of our own people, who might
be driven to the extremity of asking aid,
sbould be arrested under the law, the
authorities would not think Of applying
II in that particular case. The justice
or magistrate has full discretion in the
premises.
Again. as we have also said we have no
sympathy with those who would represent
the honest laboring men of Richmond,
whether employed or unemployed. in an
attitude Of antagonism to the PROPOSE
ton to rid the city of the tramp nuisance.
REPRESENTING them In that attitude con-
stitutes a reflection upon their civic pride,
common sense. self-respect, and regard
for the comfort and peace Of mind OF
their wives and little ones that We are
not prepared to entertain.
Furthermore. while we have on occa-
sions differed with the Young Mems Busl-
panization is behind the present move
ment is one of the strongest arguments
that could be presented against the con-
tention that the ordinance is designed 10
or would be permitted to affect, directly
or indirectly, the worthy INDECENT. With
in less than a year the Relief Committee
of that association has spent over $500 in
I .f no ri
of class and it is now begging money 10
carry on its good work. OF the amount
named much was contributed by men
who are far from. we'll off in worldly
goods.
Another thing that emphasizes the de-
mand that the Council act, and act prompt
". to the end of extirpating the tramp
nuisance, is the burning of the grandstand
at the Exposition Grounds yesterday
morning. There seems hardly a question
that the building was fired by tramps'
though we have no reason 10 suppose
that the firing was malicious. But whe-
Their the fire was the result of accident
or design-whether, indeed, tramps had
anything to do with starting the flames
at all-the destruction Of the building
should be a lesson to the Council and
spur to the body to adopt precautionary
measures We know that tramps are
2 prone at this season of the year TO con-
gregate in just such buildings as was
= the Exposition Grounds grandstand and
' in vacant houses in cities. We know that
5 on such occasions they are frequently
= criminally negligent or reckless in the
: use of fire. and we know that from this
I negligence or recklessness has resulted
+ great destruction Of property in various
parts Of the country. That Richmond
/ should enjoy immunity from danger from
fires consequent upon tramps taking shell
C ter in uroccGpied residences, sheds, sta
e bles and other out-houses is impossible
so long as the pests are permitted TO
e range the city as at present, and are
: practically invited TO walk through our
gates and make themselves at home.
I |
. The New orleans Times-Democrat says
a a public meeting is soon to be held there
| ssvvhich viii largely determine the future