Strange in San Antonio, so long ago

On San Antonio Remembers, this interesting item was listed on the October 8 entry:

1838
City Council issues decree requiring old soldiers of Santa Anna's disbanded army to either give proof of respectable occupation or leave the city.

OK, fine. You guys don't have to go home, now that we defeated your army. But you do have to get a good job and earn a decent living, dammit!