^^^ """W" ^^''^jC^ ^'^^: i^'^^ %0^ ^^■\t fe-i?^ ^^: :*flSgli ¥^m ^. A i t:^TAi"'-:--\'^ ■K-*^ S^'Sfe' V ''.-^'^ ^».^*^ \h,*^7J ■*^!* L I B RAR.Y OF THE U NIVER5ITY Of ILLINOIS J ON ^ ' THE REPRESSION OF VAGRANCY AND INDISCEIMINATE ALMSGIVING. WITH A STATEMENT AS TO THE RESULT OF "the DORSET SYSTEM," BY CAPTAIN AIYATT BEOWN, CHIEF CONSTABLE OP DORSET. SECOND yjk:::, .^—revised. 1876. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO. WEYMOUTH: H. WHEELER, WEYMOUTH AND COUNTY LIBRARY Price Sixpence. ^ -1^ tJ O) c! ■*-' S o) a .rt .^ __, fH c3 M '3 ^ o -;= cu 2 •K o " ^ "^ "rl o rO a> s^ o -S !>. So fe --- ^ S 2 o -te . 1^ O- S a G -H ^ > "T _S .S J3 !3 j_. '^ IS 3j =3|i S l||i^5 J 5g|£^§ -O^^ g 1^:1 ^ < rojiill t ■2 ^O 2 SDS,2 Ofe- ■s ■=1^ 2 >>'^S ,q"S 3 73 j5 •J 1 .2 1 • - I: 1*^ ty was held al (Chairman), \ '.. C. Goodden, Constable of D IIPF Pi III 31 1 1 •-(^"•s S „ . J e8 5 o . « m^i^ri i5:l||. -ii 1 .g O w a ~ § g O cS .^ g f „ •5 « aT a lilll!! 1 .1 <^ ■£ m 2 j 5 1-33 2 cS o! rt s of the Committee o e Hon. W. H. B. Po ehales, Mr. C. J. P d Captain Amyatt B 1 w to i .a j5 1 2 5 60^ S 5 J 1 "illSs-ii i ^ g ixth Annual Meetin There were present mel Cox, Mr. B. Li lyor of Dorchester), 1 aT s i o o g flilifl cid 11 1 1 1 1 The S: noou. ., Cole on (M; X '1 •S'f H 'J' £ S£>-2 oj CO i o 5 is a ^lifii t; II •sww •3^-3^ S,?^ .2 WM a P -e hJ :iNi":2 1 ,ao r„ & & -a 5.0 "3 is °°5 Sra 2-*- tu'^ o ^ « .Ml O 2 « g ^ll IJIsiil fl«i|^a -^ 5-a a W^l 31 aPoo'3 -sdS> ^iii Hill ggiir^ s a ij '§ o ^ 'JJ 00^ 73= '■?.— %^ 'a '^ •3cu-a_t£"^!SS' „ .„^^sW5 ?aa-^ -J §-^5^f IT' a a-g-- 5 a _3 ^ 2 .a f^ 0. a PL, ;^ I - 1 g « e. •J ^S-gga - ^ a H ^2;-„.ag o H THE EEPEESSION OF VAGEANCY. In the many attempts which have been made to deal with this most difficult question, two very important points appear to have been generally overlooked. First. That besides the vagrant there is another party in the transaction who is more to blame than the vagrant himself, viz. the charitable British public, and therefore that any scheme which deals solely with the former, and ignores the action of the latter, will as certainly fail in producing any permanent effect, as all such schemes have hitherto failed. Second. That persons are too apt to judge of the effects of any particular system, solely by the number of casuals relieved at the unions. This is no doubt a fair test of the general state of vagrancy in any particular district ; but it must be remembered that those who receive a night's 4 . lodging in the casual wards represent only a small proportion of that floating population who live on the misdirected charity of the public. According to the last official returns, the number of vagrants and tramps in England and Wales amounted, to 36,000. Of these only 6,000 were in casual wards ; there remained therefore 30,000 (not including a large contingent in gaol) who were in common lodging-houses,* barns, out- houses, and elsewhere. It is clear therefore that the great majority of our vagrants are lodged and fed entirely on the alms of the public ; they do not appear in our union returns, and are not affected by any Poor Law Regulations, except when an unsuccessful day might force them to apply at the union for a night's lodging. In considering these two points, the question then arises — How is it possible to deal at the same time with such persons, and with the public on whom they prey ? It is evident that punishment, or the strict enforcement of the Vagrant Act (though a neces- sary part of any system), deals only with one side " By ths latest returns the number of tramps' lodging-houses was 5)64^' Vn*> of the question. Punishment in various forms has been tried for centuries without effect ; if penal enactments alone would have sufficed, the professional vagrant would have disappeared long since ; but such measures have not had the desired effect, because the thoughtless benevolence of the public has fostered and encouraged the very evil wdiich the Legislature has sought to suppress. In the first Act wdiich was passed for the Sup- pression of Vagrancy, viz., The Statute of Labourers, in the 14th Century, the Statute endeavoured to repress Mendicancy by punishing with imprisonment, not the person w^ho begged, but the one who gave. We can no more expect to see such a measure revived, than the branding, whipping, and even hanging awarded to the vagrant by subsequent Acts of Parliament. All such enactments w^ere repealed by the 5th of Geo. IV. cap. S^. According to this Act, vagrants and mendicants are classified under the following heads : — Idle and disorderly persons. Rogues and Vagabonds. Incorrigible Rogues. Casual Wards. Such persons are now liable to the following terms of imprisonment, with hard labour : — Idle and disorderly persons, One Month. Rogues and Vagabonds, Three Months. Incorrigible Rogues may be sent to Gaol until the next Quarter Sessions, and then further imprisoned for Twelve Months. The recent regulations of the Local Govern- ment Board, requiring the establishment in all unions alike, of a uniform system of diet and treatment for casuals, and giving the power of detention in certain cases, acts no doubt as a wholesome check on those who are obliged to apply to the Union for a night's lodging ; but whether these regulations will have any con- siderable effect on vagrancy generally is very doubtful. The opinion of so high an authority as Mr. Lambert, late Poor Law Inspector, and now Permanent Secretary to the Local Govern- ment Board, is however very conclusive as to the inefficacy of such measures alone. In a Lecture on the Vagrancy Laws delivered at Salisbury in 1868, Mr. Lambert, after reviewing the different measures which had been passed during the last five centuries for the suppression of vagrancy, summed up by saying — '^ I cannot too emphatically " enforce my conviction that, as long as the public ^' persist in bestowing alms upon valiant beggars '' and sturdy vagabonds, every attempt on the "part of those who make or administer the laws *' for the suppression of vagrancy and mendicancy " will most assuredly prove unavailing." Having thus briefly glanced at the measures and regulations which are now in general ope- ration, we will next consider what further steps have been taken in certain Counties, with the view of preventing the incursions of these unwelcome visitors. The Way-Ticket system is a plan which has been tried in some districts for many years. It is an endeavour to discriminate between the man who is travelling in search of work and the man who is travelling for the sake of begging — a distinction not always easy to draw — and is based on the principle that the honest wayfarer should receive somewhat better treatment at the Workhouse than the ordinary casual. According to this scheme, persons seeking The Way Ticket. 8 employment elsewhere are provided by the Union or Parish Authorities with Way-Tickets — and the bearers of such passes, having travelled a fair day's journey, are entitled to relief at the Workhouse at night, and are exempted from task-work ; whilst the ordinary casual, not being so provided, is to come under the general regulations as to diet and labour, and to be pro- ceeded against under the Vagrant Act should he offend in any way. However good such a scheme may be in principle, it is evident that, if generally carried out, the effect would be to create a new class of licensed travellers, who would have a certain claim on the Workhouses as well as on the charity of the public, and there is every reason to believe that if such persons found they could make more by begging than by honest labour, they would take care not to be successful in their search for employment. This system has been tried for years in Gloucestershire, and was adopted for a short period in Hampshire. In the latter County the Committee over which the Earl of Carnarvon presided, in reporting on the measures v/hich had been adopted for the Sup pression of Vagrancy in Hants during 1871, stated '' That there had been a very gi-eat de- crease in the Union Returns, and also a large increase in the Committals under the Vagrant Act; that 415 Way-Tickets had been issued during the nine months, but that latterly they were little used." From this report it would appear that the Way-Ticket had but little to do with the reduction in the number of casuals, and that the decrease was mainly owing to the Magistrates and Police having been roused to carry out the Vagrant Act more strictly than they had hitherto done. The Local Government Board not approving of this system, as infringing on their general regulations, and also creating a new class of licensed tramps — it was soon after discontinued in Hants. It is curious to note, that the Way-Ticket is after all only the revival of a portion of a Statute, which proved ineffectual some Centuries ago. By the 12th of Richard H. it was enacted that no labourer should leave his hundred without The lO taking a license, and all persons were prohibited from hiring a labourer who had no such license. There remains one other plan for consideration, system known as '^ The Dorset System." It has been well said that Vagrancy is not a self-supporting institution, and that, if there were no persons to lend themselves as victims to the arts and tales of the Mendicant, he would of necessity be forced to abandon his occupation. This system endeavours to strike at the root of all Professional Vagrancy — viz., Indiscriminate Almsgiving. Recognizing the fact that the charit- able will give relief of some sort, it places in their hands, through the medium of Bread-Tickets, the means of supplying food under certain restrictions to all wayfarers. The general outline of the Dorset plan* is as follows : In each Poor Law Union District, a Committee is formed, consisting of three Magistrates and three Guardians. Shops are appointed at an average dis- tance of five miles apart throughout the district, * The details are given in the Rules at page 25. II and at these places the tickets, which are freely distributed to Magistrates, Guardians, Clergy, and the inhabitants generally — are exchangeable by vagrants for one pound of bread. A supply of food is thus ensured by day, whilst a night's lodging can be had on application at the Union. The public are requested by circulars and placards not to give money, but a Bread-Ticket, to all wayfarers applying for relief ; the tickets are collected by the constables of the district once a month, and the necessary funds are supplied by subscriptions limited to ten shillings a year. The total cost of carrying out this system in Dorset during 1875, amounted to less than £ap^ out of w^hich upwards of £2/\ was paid for bread, more than 26 cwt. having been given away in single pounds. By the adoption of these measures, the public feel satisfied that the plea of starvation, which naturally works so powerfully on the feelings of all, can no longer have any foundation, and Magistrates have no hesitation in committing those who still persist in asking for money. The., results attending the adoption of this 12 system — which was first organized in Dorset in January, 1870 — have been very marked in the different Counties in which it has been tried. In Dorset, the number of casuals reUeved in the unions has diminished year by year, until the Returns for 1875 show a reduction of 78 per cent, as compared with 1869. The great decrease in the number of beggars has been a subject of general remark, and the fact of the public abstaining from indiscriminate alms- giving has comparatively cleared the lodging- houses as well as the casual wards. A census of vagrants has been taken annually throughout the County (including all Boroughs) and on. the last two occasions, viz., 31st March, 1875, and 9th March, 1876 — it was found that the total number of such persons in Dorset amounted to only 14, and 8 respectively. As a proof of the extent to which these results are due to the action of the public, and not to the terrors of the law — the committals for offences specially applying to tramps and vagrants show a reduction in 1875 of more than 79 percent, as compared with the year previous to the 13 adoption of this system. Not only therefore has there been a considerable saving to the Poor-rate, but also to the County-rate, and this reduction in vagrant committals is in itself a remarkable fact which contrasts most strongly and favourably with all previous attempts to suppress this evil. Having alluded to the reduction in the number of committals under the Vagrant Act, it may not be out of place to notice also the great decrease in crime, which has taken place in Dorset, since 1869.* According to the Criminal Returns of that County it appears that the number of indictable offences has fallen from 137 in 1869, to 65 in 1875 ; and the number of persons apprehended for all classes of offences, from 1 220 in 1869, to 581 in 1875. These are the lowest numbers ever recorded in any one year, whilst the per-centage of undetected crime in 1875 is also less than in any preceding period, viz., * Population of Dorset, Census 1861 ... 188,789. „ „ „ „ 1871 ... 195,537- Kent. 14 13 per cent, on the number of offences com- mitted. This diminution in crime has been remarked upon both at the Assizes and Quarter Sessions, and although there have been doubtless many causes at work to bring about such a result, it may be safely said that it is due in no small degree to the County having been freed from the inroads of the vagrant class,* who are ever ready to commit petty thefts and depredations, if not more serious offences. Whilst crime has thus decreased in Dorset in 6 years, it appears from the Judicial Statistics that, in the adjoining Counties, there has been, in the same period, an increase in the number of minor offences, viz., those sum- marily disposed of. In consequence of the success attending this method of dealing with vagrancy, it was resolved in 1871 to adopt the same system in the County of Kent. The Committee, of which Earl Stanhope is the chairman, in their report for 1875, state that the cases of rehef at the *A record kept during 1871 and 1872 showed that, out of 108 persons committed under the Vagrant Act, only 11 belonged to Dorset. 15 casual wards in the various Unions of that County, show a diminution of 70 per cent, as compared with the year previous to the adoption of this system, the numbers being 1870 ... 156 — 621 1875 ... 46—732, and in recording this remarkable decrease they state that this method of relief to vagrants has a two-fold advantage : — 1. ''It checks indiscriminate almsgiving, which *' is not real charity, since it often does more '' harm than good. 2. '' It tends to discourage the immigration ^' of professional beggars who frequent the County, *' and its sea-side resorts, in the course of the ^' year : hence it is indirectly a source of saving '' to various unions." In confirmation of the above, a Committee of Justices was appointed to consider the state of vagrancy in Kent, and from time to time to report thereon. After due enquiry as to the result of a four years' trial of this plan they state, ''That they entertain no doubt but that, by its "general adoption, vagrancy would be repressed Hereford shire. i6 "more effectually than by any other means at ''present devised." Sustfx. At a meeting of Magistrates and Guardians, held at Horsham, in December, 1874, under the presidency of Lord Leconfield, it was agreed that '' The Dorset System " should be put into operation in the Western Division of Sussex. The returns for 1875 show a decrease of 32 per cent, in the number of casuals relieved, as com- pared with the preceding twelve months. The County of Hereford has also recently adopted the same system, and although it is too early as yet to judge of the result, it is stated that the mere knowledge, that these steps were being taken, has had a good effect in making tramps scarce. It would not be right, however, to attribute the whole of the before-mentioned extraordinary re- duction in vagrancy to this system alone. There can be no doubt that, owing to the state of the labour market, and the attention which has of late been paid to this subject, there has been, during the last few years, a considerable decrease in many parts of England ; still in no case has it 17 amounted to anything like that recorded in Dorset and Kent. Before its adoption, it was urged as an objection to this scheme, that it was one '* which depended too much on the pubHc, and that their interest would be likely to die out." It is just this disregard of the action of the public which has hitherto marred all efforts to grapple with the evil. So long as money is to be had for the asking, so long will vagrancy flourish, and, as it is impossible to escape dependence on the public in this matter, you must endeavour to direct and regulate their charity in such a way that, whilst there shall be food for those who need it, the wayfarer in search of work shall not be tempted to lead an idle and vagabond life. Vagrancy is a profession, and is carried out on a regular system. Starting from the Me- tropolis or one of the large towns, the profes- sional mendicant attends races and fairs and visits watering places according to the season. He is guided in his travels by signs and marks which are well known to the begging fraternity, and which tell him plainly what houses to call at, and what to avoid. i8 The cadgers' map which was found in a tramps' lodging-house in Kent, is a curious specimen of this system of hieroglyphics. The marks opposite each house indicate to the initiated what may be expected along the route, and the style of appeal which will be most likely to succeed. 19 A CADGER'S WIAP OF A BEGGING DISTRICT. fea^:^^^^«i^«^^^«^^^^^^^«^^^^at^'^^ EXPLANATION OF THE HIEROGLYPHICS. S£ ITo good; too poor, and know too much. f\t. Stop,— if you have what they want, they will buy. They are pretty "./>" • ^' (knowing). "N— Go in this direction, it is better than the other road. Nothing that way. OBone (good). Safe for a "cold tatur," if for nothing else. '' Cheese your patter" (don't talk n\uch; here. ^1 Cooper'd (spoilt) by too many tramps calling there. r~l Gammy (unfavourable), likely to have you taken up. Mind the dog. C^ Flumm.UXed (dangerous), sure of a month in "quod" prison. i^\ Religious, but tidy on the whole. The figure in the left-hand corner represents a noted female nicknamed « Tbree-quarter Sarah." Above her three tramps have reckoned their days' earnings, amounti ng to 13s. On the right is a sketch of one of the cadging fraternity. N. B.-The above map is referred to in the " Slang Dictionary" published by Messrs. Chatto & Wli^DUS. 20 There is a deep, wide-spread feeling of charity throughout the country; but it is often ill-directed, yields to importunity, and does more harm than good. What is the result of giving alms to beg- gars ? Many thousand men and women are main- tained in a state of idleness and vice: you ensure, as far as you can, that their children shall be trained up in the same evil ways, and fly in the face of the Scriptural rule, that ''If a man will not work neither shall he eat." The pubhc are shocked by the sad cases of want and starvation which are brought to light from time to time in this land of wealth and luxury ; but it should be remembered that these poor sufferers are not the persons who beg at our doors, but just those who shrink from applying for the relief they so sorely need. To seek out and alleviate such cases is true charity. Arch- bishop Whateley's observation on this subject is worthy of record. 'Torty thousand pounds," said he, '' have I given away since I came to this ^' Diocese ; but I thank God that I have never ^' given a penfty to a street beggar." It is surely not too much to say that indiscri- minate almsgiving is not charity; yet it is precisely 21 this thoughtless benevolence which recruits the vagrant ranks. Many instances might be quoted; but two well-known cases will suffice to show the truth of this assertion, as also the general inefficacy of imprisonment alone : — George Brine, a native of Dorset, and a cele- brity in his profession, whose career has been frequently noticed, when asked what induced him to adopt such a mode of life, replied : ** I left ^* Sherborne to seek employment at my trade ^' (that of a butcher), and not succeeding for a time, ^' I soon discovered that more money could be got '' without work than with it. What knowledge I '' lacked was soon instilled into my mind by pro- " fessional vagrants. The gullibility of the British " public is so great that their generous benevolence '^ is unbounded : they do not like to be imposed '^ upon; but the rogue, liar, and impostor, practised ^' as he is, soon convinces them that he, at least, *^ does not belong to the cadging fraternity ; out " of every ten tramps, there are nine impostors, *' or professional tramps. You may think this is ^' saying too much, but I am sure this is the truth." When questioned as to casual wards, he said •* *^ I 22 ' have visited but very few; I think I could swear ^ that I never was in twenty during the twenty- ' one years I was rambhng. Let the Legislature ' suppress two thirds of the low lodging-houses ; ' these are the great receptacles of vice in its most 'repulsive aspect, it is there the supply of vag- ' rants is manufactured." As to the effect of im- prisonment: — '^I have been in gaol more than one ' hundred times ; there are but two counties in ' England that I have escaped limbo. I have ' never been convicted of felony or larceny, only ' vagrancy, obtaining m.oney under false pre- ' tences, drunkenness, smashing windows, and the 'like." • The other case is that of Thomias Washott, a native of Devon, who has been tramping the country for nearly fifty years. This man ran away from his master at nineteen vears of age, commenced by offering boot-laces and m.atches for sale as a pretext for begging, and found the business so profitable that he said : — '' I could ''make enough in three days to keep me com- " fortable for the rest of the week. My plan was " to go to a common lodging-house, pick up infor- ^' mation from my pals, as to the houses in the *' neighbourhood, and what they were good for, ^' and then make the round. Three to four ^' shillings was an average day. At races I could '^ do a good deal better. When I had worked '' the neighbourhood I went on to the next place. ^' I never was in a tramp ward but once in my '^ life ; that was at Cerne, in Dorset, and because ^' the houses were full. In the country the leastest '' bit of French was useful ; people always pitied ^' the poor foreigner. If the public would not '^ give, they would soon shut up travelling. Gaol '^ only hardens, and many commit an offence to '' be sent there." Such statements as these, borne out as they are by numerous other instances, testify that the profits to be derived from begging are sufficient to induce many to become profes- sional vagrants, and when once this mode of life has been taken up, there is but little hope that such persons can be induced to return to honest labour. It is, on the contrary, much more pro- bable that they will ere long lapse into crime. Occupying a debatable position between the criniinal and the confirmed pauper, the vagrant has survived all the measures which have been 24 enacted during the last five centuries for his suppression. There will always be beggars in the land; but it is surely worth some little effort to endeavour to reduce their numbers within the lowest possible limits, and to control the charity of the public, so that it may not promote and encourage vicious idleness and cn'me. It is with this object in view that ^' The Dorset System " has been established ; whether it be the proper method of dealing with this difficult ques- tion, or not, there can be no doubt that it has so far proved successful; it is extremely simple, and is capable of being worked in connection with the Societies which have been established in many of the large towns, on the principle of the Charitv Or^^anisation Societv. Other and better measures may ere long be devised; but, so far as can be ascertained, no other scheme has hitherto proved so effectual ; it is one with which the public are well satisfied, and in which they have a direct interest; it ensures food to the honest wayfarer, acts as a wholesome check on the professional vagrant, whilst it strengthens the hands of the Magistrates and Police in dealing with incorrigible rogues and vagabonds. 25 I?. TJ L E S- DORSETSHIRE MENDICITY SOCIETY, FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF PROFESSIONAL VAGRANCY. President — The Right Hon. The Earl of Shaftesbury, K. G. Chairman of Committee — The Right Hon. Viscount Portman. Deputy-Chairman — John Floyer, Esq., M.P. At a MEETING held at the COUNTY HALL, DORCHESTER, the lUh DECEMBER, 1869, John Floyer, Esq., M.P., in the Chair. And confirmed at a further Meeting held at the above place, on the ^th JANUAR F, 1870 / Resolved — I. — That a Mendicity Society be estabHshed for the County of Dorset, with a Central Committee for the whole County, and a Local Committee for each Union District. 11. — That the principle of the Society be the limitation of Relief to necessary food only, instead of Money or other alms, and that this be effected by means of Tickets, to be given to Vagrants on their applying for charity : such Tickets to be exchangeable at some shop in towns or villages to be fixed on by the Local Committees : such relief not to interfere with the relief now given in the Workhouses, in the way of lodging and food while there. 26 III. — That the Central Committee do consist of the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman of Quarter Sessions, the Mayors of Boroughs, the Chairmen of Petty Sessions, and the Chairmen of Boards of Guardians. IV. — That the Local Committee do consist of 3 County Magistrates, 3 Borough Magistrates, and 3 Members of each Board of Guardians in the several Districts — 2 to form a quorum. V. — That the Chairmen of Petty Sessions, Mayors of Boroughs, and Chairmen of Boards of Guardians, be requested to communicate to the Honorary Secretary the names of the respective Members of their several bodies who may agree to serve on the Local Committees. VI. — That the Local Committees be requested to meet on such early day as may be convenient, for appointing the places where the Bread Tickets may be exchanged — such places to be at a distance of 5 miles or thereabouts — for the distribution of the Tickets, and such other business as may be requisite. VIL — That the Public be earnestly requested to abstain from giving Money or Direct Relief to Tramps, and that Circulars and Bread Tickets be forwarded to the County and Borough Magistrates, to the Clergy of all Parishes and stated Ministers of all denominations, the Guardians of the Poor, Clerks to Justices, Clerks to Boards of Guardians, and Subscribers. VIII. — That Relief be only given by the Shopkeeper once for any number of Tickets presented by the same Tramp ; such relief to consist of one pound of Bread. 27 IX. — That in Towns where there are Union Houses the Tickets, before being exchanged, be endorsed by the Officer who grants Orders for the Casual Wards, so as to prevent food being obtained at the same time from the Society as well as the Union. That any Person, living in or near the place, presenting a Ticket, is not to be supplied with Bread. X. — That the Baker do write the name of the Tramp and the date on the back of the Ticket. The Tickets to be collected weekly by the Police Constable of the district, and payment at the rate of 2d. for each Ticket to be made once a month. XI. — That Sheets of Tickets be Printed according to the form now approved of, and that the Local Committees and Honorary Secretary be requested to dispose of .them to such persons as may wish to help the Society, by the Purchase of the Tickets at the price of a Shilling per Sheet of 12 Tickets. XII. — That the Local Committees be requested to appoint Collectors to obtain Subscriptions in their several Districts ; such Subscriptions not to exceed los. nor to be less than 2s. 6d. XIII. — That the Honorary Secretary do Publish a Statement from time to time, showing the working of the Society and the state of the Funds. Note. It is necessary for the fair working of this Society that it should be adopted generally throughout the county. It is not intended to interfere with cases of local distress. 28 ( Form for Sheet of Tickets. ) DORSETSHIRE MENDICITY SOCIETY. President — The Right Hon. The Earl of Shaftesbury, K. G. Chairman of Committee — The Right Hon. Viscount Portman. Deputy Chairman — John Floyer, Esq., M. P. Honorary Ti-ear,Lirer — Herbert Williams, Esq. Honorary Secretary — Capt. Amyatt Brown, Dorchester. The Committee earnestly request that the Charitable and Humane will not give moiiey or direct Relief to Tramps, but give instead one of these Tickets, which will ensure that One Pound of Bread shall be supplied at the . places named on the ticket, and at all the Towns and principal Villages in ihe County. Lodging is found on APPLICATION AT THE UnION. Those who are disposed to indiscriminate alms- giving should remember that the vast majority of Tramps are proved to have adopted Mendicity as a profession, and that such charity is year by year augmenting that number. As an illustration of the extent to which imposition is practised on the charitable public, a Clergyman lately resident in a suburb of Manchester faithfully searched into every case which applied to him for relief. He thus examined 200 cases. Only two applicants gave him a right address, and one of them cheated him. Subscriptions in Aid of the Society, not exceeding IDS. nor less than 2s. 6d., will be received at the several Banks in the County, by the Honorary Treasurer, or the Secretary. 29 (FORM OF TICKET.) DORSET MENDICITY SOCIETY. WEYMOUTH UNION DISTRICT. One Pound of Bread will be given for this Ticket at Weymouth, Mr. Burch, King Street AbbotslDury Chickerell Osmington Portland Upway and at any of the places of Relief in the adjoining Unions. (REVERSE SIDE OF TICKET.) The Shopkeeper is only to give One Pound of Bread for any number ot Tickets presented by the same Vagrant. Persons living in the neighbourhood are not to be supplied with Bread under any circumstances. The Shopkeeper to fill in the Ticket as below. Name of Vagrant^ Date, 30 FOEM OF INSTEUCTIONS TO BAKERS, WIMBORNE UNION DISTRICT. The Committee of the Dorset Mendicity Society request that you Avill carry out the following Rules, as regards Vagrants who may bring the Society's Tickets for Bread. You are not to give more than one pound of Bread for any number of Tickets presented at one time by each individual Tramp, and 3 months must elapse before he ca?t have another pound. In case of a Tramp with a family, you may give one pound of bread to each member of the family, on their producing the requisite number of Tickets; hiU the Bread must be given in single pounds* You will under no circumstances give anything but Bread in exchange for a Ticket. ' On giving Bread in exchange for a Ticket, you will ask the name of the Tramp, which you will write on the back of the Ticket with the date. You are not to give Bread on a Ticket being presented to you by any one living in your neighbourhood. The Constable of your District will collect the Tickets every Monday. The Superintendent of Police will pay you once a month, at the rate of 2d. for each pound of Bread supplied, as shewn by the Tickets collected from you. Wimborne Chairman of Local Committee. This is necessary to prevent loaves of Bread being sold. 31 (FORM OF PLACARD.) BEGGABSl CAUTION t THE DORSET MENDICITY SOCIETY Being ESTABLISHED throughout the County, No Wayfarer can want for FOOD, whilst LODGING can be had on application at the UNION. The Committee therefore earnestly request that the Charitable and Humane will NOT GIVE MONEY OR DIRECT RELIEF TO BEGGARS, BUT ONE OF THE SOCIETY'S TICKETS WHICH WILL ENSURE FOOD BEING SUPPLIED. The Tickets can be exchanged for Bread at all TownSy and at most of the principal Villages throughout the County, PRINTED AT WHEELER'S WEYMOUTH & COUNTY LIBRARY. mi^. -4v,. 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