Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-06-21
The law itself is as follows:


An Act TO prevent idleness and vagrancy
in West Virginia during the continuance
OF the war in which the United States is
now engaged.
Be lit enacted by the Legislature ofWeSt
Virginia:
Section /. 1t is hereby declared 10 be
the duty of every able-bodied male resi-
dent OF this State, between the ages OF
sixteen and sixty years, TO habitually and
regularly engage in some lawful, useful
and recognized business, profession,
occupation or employment whereby he
may produce or earn sufficient TO support
himself and those legally dependent tupon
him.
Sec. 2. From the time this act becomes
effective, and thence forward until six
months after the termination OF the pres
ent war between the United States and
the Imperial German government, any
bodied male resident OF this State
between the ages OF sixteen and sixty,
except bona fde students during school
term, who shall fail or refuse 10 regularly
and steadily engage for at least thiIty-six
hours per week in some lawful and rec
ognized business, profession, occupation
or employment, whereby he may con-
tribute to the support OF himself and those
legally dependent upon him, shall be held
TO be a vagrant within the meaning and
effect of this act, and shall be guilty OF
misdemeanor, and upon conviction there
OF shall be fined not more than one hun
dred dollars for each offense, and as
part OF such sentence and punishment
such offender shall be by the trial court
ordered TO work not exceeding sixty days
upon the public roads or streets, or upon
some other public work being done by
and in the county in which such person
shall be convicted, or by any municipality
therein. One-half Of the fair value OF any
such labor so performed under such SEN
tence shall be paid by the county or
municipality receiving the same toward
the support OF any persons legally de-
pendent upon such vagfant, but if there
shall be no such legal dependents, then
no payment shall be made on account OF
any labor performed under such iudg-
ment. Any labor so required by a iudg-
ment OF conviction hereunder shall be rem
dered in all respects as is now provided
by law in the case OF other prisoners in
jail.
Prosecutions for vagrancy hereunder
shall be instituted and conducted as other
criminal prosecutions, and in no case
shall the possession by the accused OF
money, property or income sufficient to
support himself and those legally depend
ent upon him be defense to any pros
ecution under this act. In no case Shall
the claim by the accused Of inability to
obtain work or employment bea defense
10 prosecution hereunder. unless itshall
be proved that the accused promptly noti-
fled the proper representative OF The State
Council OF Defense OF his inability TO OBJ
tain employment, and requested that work
or employment be found for him, and that
such employment was not furnished him.
Sec. s. AIljustices ofthe peace, mayors
and police judges within the State are
hereby given jurisdiction TO try and punish
all offenders under this act, or such pros
ecution may be by indictment. Each
week or portion thereof that such resident
shall continue vagrant hereunder shall
constitute separate offense, and no ap-
peal shall be allowed from any Judgment
of conviction for vagrancy, unless the &C
cused shall give bond, with penalty and
security 10 be fixed and approved by the
court granting the appeal, conditioned
not 10 violate this act during the pendency
of such appeal. Any judgment for the
performance of labor hereunder may be
suspended by the court pronouncing the
same, upon the execution by the person
convicted OF a bond, with the penalty and
security approved by the court, condition
ed to comply with the provisions OF this
act for one year from the date OF such