Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-12-05
HOODS SagesaparfERa
TRAMPS AT THE WORKHOUSE.

Editor yhe Gazette: | have been
informed that tramps or Migrants are
not admitted to the workhouse and
given nights lodging and breakfast.
IL this Is the case, feel sure that am
only Que of many who regret to learn it,
1t matters not whether the laws were
made with the idea Of being chart table
towards these unfortunates or 10 protect
our citizens ESPECIALLY farmersl from
their depredations; there certainly is
law enough to warrant their reception
in the workhouse.
would call your attention TO the law
in reference to committing Migrants, to
which you have SO often referred
editorially, namely, chapter GAO, Vol.
AlX, Laws Of Delaware:
SEQ ]. That from and after the rass :.
age OF this act any vagrant, tramp or
needy person, Wishing food and lodging
Ia either of the county iails of this
State, upon application to one of the
commissioners OF the county Jail In
which be seeks such food and lodging
and obtaining from the said commission
et an order uronthe sheriff Of the said
COUNTY TO receive the said person into
this said Jail, shall thereupon be pro
vided with board and lodging in the
said jain The said jail commissioner
60 whom said application shall be made
shall be the soe judge of the need of
the said applicant, and shall grant or
refuse an order to the sheriff as in his
Judgment the articular CASE shall
justify and require.
Sec .. That hereafter no vagrant,
tramp, or other needy Eerson, shall be
committed to any Jail IN the State by
any justice of the peace or othsr officer
having jurisdiction, the object Of which
commitment is board and lodging for
the said yagrant, tramp or needy PERSON,
and any officer so committing shall be
guilty of misdemsanor, and upon con-
viotion thereof upon indictment shall
forfeit his office for the residus OF his
term, aud in addition thereto shall for
felt and pay fine not exceeding two
hundred dollars.
Sec. 3. Thai the Levy Court of each
Of the counties of this State shall
annually appropriate sum Of money,
not exceeding twenty five dollars, to be
paid to the Jail commissioners Of its
county for their services under this act
in such proportion to each as the said
Levy Court shall determines to be
equitable.
Sec. 4. When such needy person shall
he received into any of the jails OF this
State tho sheriff Of the said county
shall he entitled to his usual fee for
board Of prisoners, but to no other fee
for commitment or otherwise Of said
person: provided that for the purpose
Of this act a days board shall consist
of two meals; and provided further that
no order uron the sheriff of any OF the
as 81 sa 10.
provided shall he for longer time than
une day oonsecutively.
Now. Mr.. Editor, the above law Fro
vides for their commitment; as to who
should now commit these needy persone
! would refer you to the act to establish
the New Castle County Workhouse, see
chapter 2l7, Vol. XXI, Laws of Della.
ware: Sec. 3. IS With respect
to all such prisoners, and also with rs.
spect to the workhouse and lands, the
said trustees are hereby clothed with all
the powers heretofore vested by law in
tine sheriff of New Castle county, in the
commissioners of the Jail of said county
and in the Levy Court"
1t would seem plain to me that it Is
now tho duty of the trustees Of the
| workhouse to commit this class of needy
| persons. Surely, the agricultural com
munity, especially, should be projected
in having these people given lodging
and board for it is the fai mers who are
chiefly bothered by this class and who
are at nightly risk OF having their
buildings burned by those occupying
them. III 1t is true that the workhouse
| management does not now receive them,
/ trust you will see fit TO agitate the
| question, so that all people of this county
will have their homes and property
more fully protected than they have
since Sheriff Mcdaniel refused to accept
what are commonly known as tramps.
| Farmer.
Nav C,nstle Mr. 06th 1n0l