The Fee System as a Social Force . 
211 
vagrants may increase or decrease the number of tramps by 
thousands. An almost insignificant pecuniary reward to a 
judge or constable will double the number of arrests and com¬ 
mitments in a single year. Changing the method of remuner¬ 
ating the prosecuting attorney may lead to the perversion of 
the whole system of justice. An unimportant change in a 
divorce law may cause an enormous increase in the number of 
divorces. 
A. THE FEE-SYSTEM AND THE TRAMP QUESTION. 
Why is the army of vagrants each year becoming greater, is 
a question which is heard from many sides. One general 
answer, which seems almost self-evident, is this: Because the 
life of a vagrant or tramp is more desirable and agreeable, to 
his mind at least, than is that of a productive worker. If we 
analyze this still further, we find that such a state of affairs 
may be brought about by two distinct sets of circumstances. 
Either the conditions effecting tramp life have become more 
attractive, or the lot of the worker has become less attractive 
and desirable. Only the first of these hypotheses comes within 
the scope of the subject in hand. 
Tramp life is made possible and even agreeable by private 
charity and alms, or by state aid and relief. A great deal has 
been said, and a great stress has been laid, upon the evils of 
indiscriminate charity and out-door relief; while scarcely a 
voice is heard against the direct premium placed upon va¬ 
grancy, as a result of the use of the fee-system to remunerate 
certain public officers. The average tramp would be forced 
either to work or to starvation, if he could find no comfortable 
or convenient county-jail in which to spend the long, cold 
winter. Under existing conditions, however, he is often a wel¬ 
come visitor at these public lodging houses; for both the jailor 
and sheriff are financially better off for each extra “ knight of 
the road ” whom they can induce to accept their hospitality, 
because the county pays the bill at so much per head, and the 
larger the number, the greater the profits for the keeper. 1 What 
1 Tramps are often furnished with liquor, tobacco, and newspapers, to 
induce them to return. 
