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Domestic News
June 3, 1788
The Daily Advertiser
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A Baltimore correspondent regrets the absence of a work-house for vagrants and beggars amid languishing trade and street crime, suggesting a lottery to fund its construction, similar to Eastern States institutions.
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BALTIMORE, May 27.
It is to be regretted, remarks a correspondent, at this particular juncture, when trade is in a most languishing state, the streets crowded with beggars by day, and infested by a hardened set of villains by night, that there is not an institution in Baltimore, similar to those of the Eastern States, viz. a well regulated work-house, for the reception of such vagabond characters as have no visible means of subsistence, and who are daily marauding on the public, to the disgrace of every idea of police.-- Numbers of this stamp idle the summer away in their various avocations, some begging, others stealing, &c. till the approach of winter, when they are confined to their wretched dwellings, and, with the accustomed miseries attendant on such vagrant lives, represented to the humane as objects of charity--whereas by an institution above hinted, they might be made to earn the comforts of life in abundance, and by habit, become useful members, instead of pests to society. The suggestion is not new--it has been repeatedly offered as a means of preventing those sturdy beggars from crowding the streets--and it is remarkable, they are rarely seen any where else on the continent, but in Baltimore.-- There is no doubt but a lottery for building a complete work-house, would be greatly encouraged. For such a salutary purpose, who would not wish to venture, independent of the hope of a prize?
It is to be regretted, remarks a correspondent, at this particular juncture, when trade is in a most languishing state, the streets crowded with beggars by day, and infested by a hardened set of villains by night, that there is not an institution in Baltimore, similar to those of the Eastern States, viz. a well regulated work-house, for the reception of such vagabond characters as have no visible means of subsistence, and who are daily marauding on the public, to the disgrace of every idea of police.-- Numbers of this stamp idle the summer away in their various avocations, some begging, others stealing, &c. till the approach of winter, when they are confined to their wretched dwellings, and, with the accustomed miseries attendant on such vagrant lives, represented to the humane as objects of charity--whereas by an institution above hinted, they might be made to earn the comforts of life in abundance, and by habit, become useful members, instead of pests to society. The suggestion is not new--it has been repeatedly offered as a means of preventing those sturdy beggars from crowding the streets--and it is remarkable, they are rarely seen any where else on the continent, but in Baltimore.-- There is no doubt but a lottery for building a complete work-house, would be greatly encouraged. For such a salutary purpose, who would not wish to venture, independent of the hope of a prize?
What sub-type of article is it?
Charity Or Relief
Economic
What keywords are associated?
Baltimore Vagrants
Work House Suggestion
Poor Relief
Lottery Funding
Economic Distress
Where did it happen?
Baltimore
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Baltimore
Event Date
May 27
Event Details
A correspondent remarks on the need for a work-house in Baltimore to house vagrants and beggars who idle, beg, and steal, amid languishing trade and street infestations, suggesting it could reform them into useful members and proposing a lottery for funding, noting such institutions exist in Eastern States and vagrancy is unique to Baltimore.