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Tramps: What Shall Be Done With Them

Tramps: What Shall Be Done With Them image
Parent Issue
Day
13
Month
June
Year
1894
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The increasmg irequency of appeals by vagrants for money, food or clothing is making this a qnestion of pressing significance for our citizens. Giving to professional beggars, instead of being a christian kindness, is little less than a crime. On the other hand, every riglit-liearted person would gladly reader assistanoe to the needy who are deserving, and especially would be glad to help such persons to sorne means of helping the mselves, through the use of which they might be able to provide for their necessities, and at the same time be saved from the pauperizing effect of mere alms-giving. Any plan, by means of which assistance could be rendered those williog to work, and, at the same time, giving to the ehiftless and idle be avoided would be welcomed by inany. An expedient bas been resorted to witb marked success in a number of cities which, with such modifleations as might be desirable, it wonld seemmight afford some measure of relief from the prevalent and increasing evil of vagrancy in Ann Arbor. A place is provided near the business center of the town where work can be done ; such as sawing wood, breaking stone, or something af a similar character. Any person applying at this place is given opportunity to do work equivalent in valué to a plain but substantial meal, or to a lodging. Wlien the work is completed a ticket is given, for which the laborer can obtain hia meal or lodging at some specified restaurant or lodging-house. An appeal is then made to all citizens, urging that no aid be given to beggars applying at homes or places of business ; but that instead such vagrants be sent to the specified rendezvous, where opportunity to earn a lodging or meal will be furnished anyone willing to work for it. The beneficial effects of this method of procedure have proven, and are likely to prove two-fold. First; let it once become known that no vagrant can secure food, lodging or other assistance in Ann Arbor without working for it, and a large proportion of the tramp class, which now infest the city, will give it a wide berth. Work is not what they are seeking. Iu the second place, by such arrangement it is provided that no industrious person need suffer ; and indiscriminate giving to the idle and to professional beggars is avoided. In view of the prevalence of vagrancy and begging and of their probable increase during the summer, the undersigned citizens of Aun Arbor venture to cali a meeting of all persons interested in tlie adoption of the above, or of some other plan, for tlte relief of the evil referred to, to be held at theCourt House, on ïuesday. June 19, at 8 o'clock, p. m. It is hoped the attendance will be so general as to render possible the adoption of measnres which will commend theniselves to all citizens, and afford some satisfactorv solution of the tramp problem. Sedgwick Dean, Cyrenus G. Darling, .T. M. Gelston, K D. Kiune, C. M. C'oberu. James B. Angelí, Chas. A. Younff, James H. Wade, W. L. Tedrow, Henry ïatlock, N. W. Uheever, W. 3. Perry, F. H. Melser, J. T. Sunderland, Chas. E. Hiscock, H. 8. Dean, W. T). Harrlman, ('hristaiu Mack, J. W. Bradshaw, Martin Haller, Juuius E. Beal, ö. w. Beakes, John Neumaun.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier