1880 R.I. Pub. Laws 110

1880 R.I. Pub. Laws 110

Abstract

Ch. 806, § 3: Any tramp who shall willfully[1] and maliciously injure any person where such offence is not now punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or who shall be found carrying any firearm or other dangerous weapon, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison not more than three years.

Summary

The law defines “tramps” broadly as transient people who beg, lack visible means of support, or wander without lawful purpose, and generally punishes them with 1–3 years in a state workhouse. Tramps who injure someone or are found carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon could instead face up to 3 years in state prison, with police authorized to arrest them without a warrant; certain groups, including women, children under 16, and blind people, are exempt.

Law Text

Section 1. Every tramp shall be punished by imprisonment in the state workhouse and house of correction not less than one nor more than three years. Sec. 2. All transient persons who rove about from place to place begging, and all vagrants living without labor or visible means of support, who stroll over the country without lawful occasion, shall be held to be tramps within the meaning of this act. Sec. 3. Any tramp who shall wilfully and maliciously injure any person where such offence is not now punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or who shall be found carrying any firearm or other dangerous weapon, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison not more than three years. Sec. 4. Any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, special constable or policeman, upon view of any offence described in this act, or on speedy information thereof, may without warrant apprehend the offender and take him before any competent authority for examination, and on his conviction shall be entitled to a reward of five dollars therefor, to be paid by the state. Sec. 5. The town councils are empowered and required to appoint special constables for their respective towns, who shall arrest and prosecute all tramps in their respective towns. Sec. 6. This act shall not apply to any female or to any minor under the age of sixteen years, nor to any blind person, nor to any beggar roving within the limits of the town in which he resides. Sec. 7. Upon the passage of this act, the secretary of state shall cause to be printed copies of this act to be sent to the several town clerks, who shall cause the same to be posted in at least twelve conspicuous places in their respective towns, six of which shall be in the public highways. Sec. 8. The jurisdiction to try and sentence offenders under the first section of this act is hereby conferred upon justice courts; and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. Sec. 9. This act shall take effect on and after the first day of May next.