Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-08
Making a total n the pcnitcntiary, of

There are hired out, of male free negro convcts and
slave convcts 81 and Of female free negro and slave
convicts, l3making l07. In addition 10 these, are
four children saves between the ages Of and four
years Some provision of law necessary to authorize
these infants TO be disposed Of Perhaps it would
port with the dictates OF humanity to restore them 10
the former owners of the mothers, that their relatives
and connexions might be afforded the opportunity 10
take of them during their infancy. In consdera-
ton of this restoration, the owner should be required
refund portion of the value paid him by the state
for the neither.
learn from the report of the superintendent of the
Georgia pententiary, that the clear profits Of this
Institution for the last year amounted 10 the sum of
7,774 "a. Of this SUN $4,000 were paid into the
treasury and the residue reserved for the purchase
Of materials for the operations of the present year.
The number of conylcts in this institution is 242
The late message Of the governor Of Alabama shows
that balance of S27 900 is hand after The payment
Of all expenses the net products Of the penentiary
of that state. The number of conTiots in the nsttu
ton is pos.
Phese are the results in the only states from which
statistics have been received. regret that have
ceyed reports from the other states Of the Confede
racy; showing the condition Of their penitentares.
would be glad TO compare the results Of their manage
ment with the management which has characterized our
own. The contrast between the management 10 Georgia
and Alabama aud our own penteDtiary is most strik-
ing, and shows how inefficient. negligent and careless
has been the management here
The total number OF conyicts employed in the Vir-
ginia peni:entary, in manufacturing and mechanical
pursuits last year, was 29s-greaer by Sc than the
number in Georgia, and greater by SO than The number
in Alabama. With the demand which has existed in
the south, for year past for the products of manu-
featuring and mechanical labor, the profits of the
Virginia penitentiiry should have been proportionaly
great Instead of this, however the result is that the
institution burden upon the state. OF the residue
of the conycts 900 the free negro and slave conVcts
constitute part. They are hired TO the owners Of
blast furnaces engaged in the manufacture Of pig iron
for the and purposes of the Southern Confederacy
The remaining conycts are in feeble health, and en-
ployed in light duties about the Penentiay and public
square. -I
On the 18th day Of November 1860, in order TO pro.
cure raw materials for the of the penitentisry,
advanced the sum of So 500 to the agent and store
keeper from the contingent fund, upon the assurance
ihait should be returned in sixty days, taking from him
bond and security. This sum not refunded until
the 18th day Of October last $780,
When the presentagent and storekeePer entered upon
bis duties. very little stock hand, and that little
was unsaesbe; and his predecessor had failed to
pay the amount due in his hands, means with which to
purchase materials we're waiting The conYicts were
unemployed and had been unemployed much OF the
year. apd il Raa necessafy that funds should be PRO,
Eided wiki w!en 70 procure materials and supplies