The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-04

Steau ldClOfy, q moOu "olh5lop, oo 4,
tailors, 5; hospital stewards, 4 cooks, l3 !;
washroom, lO policing Capitol Square,
6; miscellancously employed, "a; locked
up daily, unless detailed, l20; patients in
hospital, Is. There is no contagious disease
in the hospital at this time, and most of the
patients are improving or convalescent.
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION..
The new superintendent calls the atten-
ton of the Governor to the fact that no pro-
vision has been made for the religious in
struction of the convicts other than the sup
plying of each cell with Bible by benevo-
lent societies, and sometimes by giving them
tracts and religious papers. Friend Willets,
an aged and benevolent Quaker, has kindly
volunteered, within few months past, to
visit the prison on Sundays, and teach as
many as can be accommodated in room
thirty-six by twenty-five feet, formerly used
as a paint shop. Only about sixty can thus
receive instruction at time. Colonel Pen
dleton informed the new superintendent
that he thought that even the little oppor-
tunity thus afforded for religious instruc-
ton has been productive of much good. 1t
is hoped that some provision will soon be
made for stated religious exercises in which
all the convicts can participate.
PUNISHMENT.
Accompanying the regulations of the
penitentiary, Mr.. Wardwell transmits the
following from Governor Peirpoint autho-
rizing the Superintendent to make changes
in the punishments prescribed:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, J
4" EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
RICHMOND, July /, 1867.
Superintendent Penitentiary is autho-
rized to add to the rules and regulations of
the penitentiary as now adopted for the
higher offences of prisoners by punish
ment by ducking and showerbath. pre-
fer whipping. cannot allow bucking. II
they undertake to annoy by howling, gag.
[Sicnedl Of. II. PEIRPoINT,
"Governor of Virginia"
In regard to this subject, Mr.. Wardwell
says: q Having had, during my brief ex-
perience, no cause to infiict punishment, l
feel unprepared to recommend alterations
or amendments at present, but would re-
spectfully submit to your Excellency's SUI
perior wisdom whether it is not rather late
in the nineteenth century to resort to such
punishments rs shaving part of the head,
gagging, or even ducking."
EMPLOYMENT OF CoNvICTs.
1t is thought that there is already shop
room enoug in the buildings for the en-
ployment in lucrative pursuits of oil the
convicts now in the prison. The Superin-
tendent has not considered the subject suf-
fciently yet to recommend definite changes
in or additions to the trades now in opera
tion, but proposes shortly to submit to the
Board of Directors some projects for the
application of labor now idle which may
prove effective in making the penitentiary,
as it should be, o self-sustaining institution.
There is now on hand large number OF
manufactured articles, such as wagons,
carts, chairs, safes, presses, cart wheels,
&c., for which there is not q ready sale In
this market at the prices asked. These
should be disposed of as soon as possible at
the best available rates.
THE GUARDS.
There is great lack of interior guards.
The Code of Virginia (ls60) prescribes not
exceeding seven assistants and SIX interior
guards; and in endeayoring to follow the
law, Governor Peirpoint and the old Super
intendent reduced the assistants one, and
added two to the interior guard. 1t should
be remembered that at the passage OF this
law no negroes were confined in the institu-
tion, and prior to the war the number OF
convicts ut no time exceeded one hundred.
1t is earnestly recommended that the lnte-
rior guard be increased to fourteen by the
employment of six additional men, for the
sake not only of security, but of economy
Begging due allowance for his inexperience
etc., Mr.. Wardwell closes his report.
VISIT TO THE PENITENTIARY.
Saturday found all hands, including the
Superintendent, his assistants, and the con-
victs, busily engaged in the work OF clean
ing up the prison. No new appointments
have been made as yet by the new incum'
bent of the Superintendent's Office. q new
roll of the inmates of the cells has been
prepared, and it is proposed hereafter to
have the names daily called-a measure toe
long neglected. The officers seem otherwise
endeavoring to improve the prison discl'
pline, and from present appearances theli
efforts will be crowned with success. ihe
men seem well-behayed and cheerful, and
work faithfully -f.z ..t
Our thanks are due to the Superintendf
for the readiness with which he granted
our request for copy Of the report, ana q
Captain Dawson and his courteous assist
ant for many fayors and gentlemanly aften' en-
tions during eur visit.
DIR. TuckER's LECTURE viii take place OF
Tuesliay aysniup