Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser - Wednesday 23 May 1855

MEETING OF THE GUARDIANS

Vagrancy

Mr. Coleman said he wished to call the attention of the Guardians to the great increase of vagrancy in the town, with a view to its prevention.  Many of the vagrants were of the most objectionable class.  By the exposure of their ailments and deformities great injury resulted to the inhabitants and to the community; nor was this compensated by any real benefit to the people themselves.  He, therefore, thought it should be totally prohibited.  Another consideration was that these vagrants slept in places where fever, scarlatina, smallpox and other contagious diseases were engendered or prevailed, and in the morning they went round town like the post office delivery and spread those diseases among the inhabitants……..