Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/657

 THE RELIEF AND CARE OF DEPENDENTS 643

under the vagrancy laws applying to able-bodied males. 1 The northern and eastern states usually make an exception of the blind and the otherwise defective.*

A further limitation of the term is found in several states where the law applies to those begging beyond the limits of their city, town, or county. In Connecticut the law applies to males begging beyond the limits of their city. 3 In Rhode Island and Wisconsin the law applies to those begging in a town, in Indiana and Ohio to those begging in a county other than that of their legal settlement. 4 In Pennsylvania and Delaware it applies to those strolling about without a fixed abode, and having no occu- pation. 5 In New Jersey the law applies to non-residents who go about begging, or who, having no visible means of support, can- not give a good account of themselves. 6 However, in Connec- ticut, cities have power to restrain and punish begging, while in all other states, save Maryland and New Jersey, all beggars not included under the term "tramps" are held to be vagrants and receive punishment similar to that of tramps.

While the term "tramp" is thus limited, it must be borne in mind that there is further legislation to supplement that against " tramps." Cities and towns (villages) usually have power to regu- late, restrain, and punish street begging. In a few states all legislation on this subject is left to them. This is the case in

'We may quote parts of the vagrancy laws of Montana and Colorado as typical. That of Montana (1155) declares (i) "every person without visible means of living, who has the physical ability to work, and who does not seek employment, or labor when employment is offered him," and (2) "every healthy beggar who solicits alms, as a business," etc., to be a vagrant. That of Colorado (1362) reads: "Any person able to work and support himself in some honest calling, who shall be found loitering or strolling about, frequenting public places, or where liquor is sold, begging, or leading an immoral or profligate course of life, or not having any visible means of support, shall be deemed a vagrant..

In Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Indiana, and Ohio the law applies neither to the blind, to females, nor to minors. In Pennsylvania the crippled, the blind, the deaf and dumb, and the otherwise defective are excepted, as are the disabled and incapable in Virginia (884). See the references given above.

'1551. p. 2066; 275.

'36, ch. 281 ; I547 d ; 2135? 6995- *Act of April 19, 1876.