Begging in America, 1850-1940 : The Needy, the Frauds, the Charities and the Law

The poverty that drives people to begging has been a pressing social issue in the United States since the beginning. This historical work explores begging1and beggars in the period 1850 to 1940, with emphasis on how the police, the courts, the media and private charity organizations dealt with them. Efforts to suppress mendicancy are explored, including legislation, police crackdowns, and public vouchers for meals and shelter. Of particular interest is the way in which media portrayals have guided public perception of mendicants. Despite the massive social upheavals the last two centuries have brought, all efforts to suppress begging have failed. Many of the complaints and arguments made against beggars and begging in 1850 and 1900 and 1940 were also made into the 21st century because, in the end, the public continued to give alms. Cover Table of Contents Preface Introduction 1. Begging Prior to 1850 2. Description, Prevalence, Style, Attitude, 1850–1899 3. Frauds, Fakes, Myths, 1850–1899 4. Psychology, Worthiness, Solutions, 1850–1899 5. Charity Organizations, 1850–1899 6. Police and the Courts, 1850–1899 7. Description, Prevalence, Style, Attitude, 1900–1940 8. Frauds, Fakes, Myths,1900–1940 9. Psychology, Worthiness, Solutions, 1900–1940 10. Charity Organizations, 1900–1940 11. Police and the Courts, 1900–1940 Conclusion Chapter Notes Bibliography Index Beginning prior to 1850 Description, prevalence, style, attitude, 1850-1899 Frauds, fakes, myths, 1850-1899 Psychology worthiness, solutions, 1850-1899 Charity organizations, 1850-1899 Police and the courts, 1850-1899 Description, prevalence, style, attitude, 1900-1940 Frauds, fakes, myths, 1900-1940 Psychology worthiness, solutions, 1900-1940 Charity organizations, 1900-1940 Police and the courts, 1900-1940 Conclusion Notes Bibliography. "This historical book explores begging and beggars in the period 1850 to 1940, with emphasis on how the police, the courts, the media and private charity organizations dealt with the issue. Efforts to suppress mendicancy are explored, including legislation, police crackdowns, and public vouchers for meals and shelter"--Provided by publisher.