Glimpses into the Abyss

s of Inve

for a long time taken pains to observe the tide of vagrancy flowing through his union, which receives casuals journeying northward. The stringent order of the Local Government Board, February 25, 1896, asking for the detention of casuals for two nights instead of one, and advising the separate cell system, had the following results: "The number of casuals applying for police orders in Somerset from July, 1895, to July, 1896, twelve months before the more stringent order, was 25,062; and the number from July,

ly availed himself. Casuals applying for police orders 1890-91 (years of fairly good trade), 2,109; casuals applying for police orders 1893-94 (years of depressed trade) 4,

fortunate ineffective or even effective workman out of work. The reason for this is not far to seek. Times of general distress and unemployment are harvest times for the man who lives by preying on society. He who is not ashamed to beg can easily invent a "moving tale," and find his harvest of charity ready. Consequently, he is seldo

ed fact is attest

ajority were in the prime of life. There were only 26 under the age of 21, and 34 over 66. Only 62 were married; 133 were widowers and 741 single. There were 391

rtion of true vagrants owe their poverty to intemperance.) Of all the 936 persons reported on, the workhouse master said he could not describe more than 33 as habitual vagrants. Mr. Leach himself, who has made a close study of

echapel casual ward. Of 250 men only 15 admitted marriage, 56 per cent. were between 30 and 50 years of age, 20 per cent. had been in the Army. Dockers and labourers were numerous, but other o

icers, and guardians, similar reports were given, and a unanimous resolution was passed in favour of fresh legislation, while the failure of the present system and its result as manufacturing vagrants was freely acknowledged. With reg

e to a normal increase in vagrancy, but must be due to extraordinary pressure forcing individu

had no vagrants; 37 show a striking increase for September, 1904. September, 190

a

lbs. beaten oakum. Remainder. Sawing wood

f bread and wate

1? oz. chee

and water

ery fe

1904, 9. This task is considered remedial, as by it the number of v

0 per cent

d "a remarkable falling off." Year ending Lady

Task, pumping the well

place a wide berth." Only 24 have been admitted. "Probably the road-army came by another route than Docking and Gayton to the 7-cwt. stone-breaking at Lynn,

eaking have prevented any material

ing, there have been 41 vagrants,

05, September, 1904, as ag

decrease, owing to oaku

breaking and corn-grinding have not prevented a large increase in Ma

er, 1903, to 167, September, 1904.