Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-15


The first step toward the establish
ment of tramp colonies In America has
been taken in New York. Such public
spirited men as Edmond Kelly. r. Full
ton Cutting, Robert w de Forest Sam
ucl j. Barrows and others have joined
with all of tho charitable societies and
the railroad lines in drawing up bill
which has been introduced in the Lcgs-
lature. That this bill will become a law
If not nj this session of tho Legislature,
eventually Is regarded as certain. The
measure appropriates $4,000 to estab-
lish three tramp colonies, one near New
York city, the second in the neighbor-
hood of Albany and the third in the vi
entity Of Buffalo. Part of this fund, 1t Is
proposed, will be used in buying suffi
ciont areas of waste land for the colo
MES and the remainder for the erection
of necessary buildings. The governor is
to appoint five men who shall constitute
n board of trustees of labor colonies,
and who are to serve without pay. This
provision is Intended to obviate purely
political appointments and to secure
competent officials. These colonies, tho
bill sets forth. are to be devoted to the
detention, reformation and instruction Of
persons convicted of vagrancy, habitual
drunkenness and violation of section i26
of the penal code. This section, it may
he noted. IL the particular one covering
offensos against railroads, such as tres
passing. theft ana other crimes. All
three colonies arc to be places of COM
pulsorY detention. Magistrates are to
have tho full power Of fixing tie dura-
ton Of sentence, although no sentence
Is to exceed two years. Any inmate will
he able to get parole upon giving
proofs Of good behavior and If the trus-
toes are convinced that he will not vio-
late tho law. But If any tramp attempts
to escape from the colony in which he
is confined he is to be subject to term
IN state prison for a period Of from one
to three years.
COLONIES TO BE AGRICULTURAL
Tho colonies arc to be more agricul-
, tural than Industrial. The aim will he to
subordinate the industrial features to the
, agricultural. Competition with free
! labor will be strictly avoided Waste
lNnd will be reclaimed and cultivated rs
, truck gardens. It is believed that the
largo cities arc able to absorb so much
produce that these gardens will not in
ers. Probably tho entire product of the
colonies may be supplied to state inst
tutions. Every inmate is to be paid
for bis labor. and the cumulative amount
given to him when he is released This
compensation, is is provided. shall be
based upon the pecunarv value Of the
work ana performed and also on the
willingness industry and good conduct"
of iae inmate. In place Of other renal
ties ana punishments the supernton-
dont Of each colony is empowered 10
ma.'tain a system of fines to he inn
posed at his discretion. ANY tramp who
violates the terms of his conditional re-
lease IS to forfeit all that he has earn
ed
One of the most important provisions
is that allowing the trustees to appoint
as adviser any person who has acted in
tie same capacity in any similar insti-
tuition outside of tho United states ~
Europe a number of tramp colonies ore
in successful operation, and it is the in
tentlon to engage an expert from one Of
them to initiate a similar system here.
Edmond Kelley. who for years has
been studying these European colonies
and has personally visited all of them,
says that IF American Legislatures were
to take the matter in hand vaga bondage
and all its attending evils would disap-
pear like magic from American soi--as
4 has alrealr disappeared In Holland.
Belgium and Switzerland: and not only
have labor colonies rid the streets and
highways of tramps in Holland and Bel
Gium. but they have done so inexpen-
siVely in Switzerland"