The Tramp Question

"A body of vagrants twice as large as the standing army of the U. S. has compacted itself together in thiscounty by common aims, methods of action and manner of speech. Little is known of it in whole or in part; for it is hko the Irishinan's fleaorthe "little joker" oí the gambler, no sooner disoovered than lost. To study it, one mnst become joined to it, part and parcel of its manifestations. " So writes Mr. Josiah Flynt, in the current number of the Century ; and in accordance witü the thought expressed, Mr. Flynt has for periods at different times become a member of the tramp fraternity and ao acquired the ability to speak with authority the tramp, his spirit aDd his manner of life. First of all, the tramp will not work. He is not in search of work ; but instead is determined to live without work, upon the unwise charity of the sympathetic. The wandering beggar who is at all willing to work beoomes an outcast from tramp society is given an oft'ensive title and is despised and derided by the genuine vag-arant. The purpose of the Anti-Tramp Society is to diminish the evils of vagrancy in this city. First, by providing a test whereby it may be determined whether a beg-'gar is a worthy man in need of employment or a tramp. Second, by furnishing to all who are wilüng to avail themselves of it, opportunity to earn xneals and lodgings by i a moderate amount of work. During the year past both purposes have been accomplished in encouraging degree by means of a wood-pile. A large number of genuine tramps have been moved to seek a move congenial clime by being brought face-to-face with a saw-horse. Early in the year quite a number of such men made upplication for assistance, to Mr. Sipley. our Superintendent, and on being offered opportunity to earn meáis or lodgings took a speedy departure. As the time has gone on the number of applications by men of this class has ïargely decreased. ft is also believed that the operation of the society has had influence greatly to diminish the number of such vagarants infesting the city. Those having- opportunity for observation in some instances express the opinión that during recent months there has not been one such tramp berging about the town where formerly there were Üve. There have been frequent illustrations of the truth of Mr. Flynt's statements eoncerning tramp character in greneral and his persistent refusal to work in particular. A beETg'er applied for breakfast at the house of a merabor of this organizatton and was offered a ticket referrin liim to Mr. Sipley for employment. His answer was, "I have three of those already; what I want is .to eat." Another tramp was overheardito say, "I don 't take any of their 'handouts,' - (food that is given at the door) - if they give them to me I put them in my pocket, till I am out of sig-ht and then throw them avvay. I want a sitdown (a seat át a table) with coft'ee, and I go till I get it. " Another applying to a housekeeper for coilee in the middle of the forenoon was told that it would be impossible to give him coffee. but he would be furnished a bowl Df bread and milk. His courteous reply was ( - pardon the profanity) "D n you, [ am weaned.'' That the number of this class infesting the city has been somewbat retí uced. - as there is reason to believe has been the case - is surely cause for congratularon The one thing needful in order that the city may bethoroughly rid of these professional tramps is that all housekeepers decline to feed beggers at their doors, and that all eitizens, housekeepers and others absolutely refuse rnoney to unknown beggars. ïhe most serious obstaele in the way of successful prosecution of the work of this society is undoubtedlythe proverbial kindheartedness of women, pérhaps especially of Germán women. Mr. Flynt says, "the Germans (through their great sympathy with the unfortunatejare led into being the most generous people in this county. ïhey are the best friends that the tramps have, and I have never known one to refuse a hungry appeal. " Now if we can but persuade the tender-hearted women of Ann Arbor, both Germán and American that they will cause no worthy person to suffer by refusing to feed beggars at their door, the work of this society will be easy. If housekeepers who are so called upon will refer all beggars to Mr. Sipley at the engine house, they will be giVen opportunity to earn meals or lodgings by doing a very moderate amount of work. Let not the sympathetic be deceived by the statements of tramps tha"t they have applied for work and been refused, or that au unreasonable amount ol work is required. Work will always be furnished between the hours of 8 a. m. and 5 p. m., and the amount paid for wood-sawing has always been in excess of prices paid to laboring men of the city for the same kind of work. Therefore, let the eitizens of Ann Arbor refuse to relieve tramps at their doors, and send them to Mr. Siplev where they can be sifted by the magie of a wood-pile - the idle sent about their business and those honestly seeking employrnent provided with it. It is imposible to give the precise number of persons who have 6ecured meals or lodgings from this society during the year; but 16 cords of wood have been sawed - 140 meals and 42 lodgings have been provided. Ab indicated in the report of the treasurer the total receipts have been $56.70, total expenditures $47.40 leaving a balance in the .treasury of $8.30; and with some confidenee I venture the assertion that it would be diiïicult to point to any work of equal value to the public conducted at so slight expense. Once more I repeat let the citizens of Ann Arbor but regard the appeal of this society, refuse aid to tramps at their doors and send them to Mr. Sipley. By so doing they will be saved from the annoyance of contributing to unworthy persons, and alsofrom any possible 1 gêr of leaving the deserving to suffer. Any person willing' to earna supply for his present noeds will always be given the opportunity on applicatioD to the Superintendent at the engine house. Thé work need only the coopei'ation of the citizens in one particular in order thatit may be far more efl'eutive in the future than in the past, and mav ronder a service of real valué to the city.