Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-12
HOUSE or CORRECTION.
Action OF the Special Committee -cesfsssses
Committee 10 Act Upen the Ouestten.

The committee appointed TO consider the
question OF establishing a house OF correc-
ton and reform IN the city met 1t the Courp
ell chamber yesterday evening. The fol-
lowing members were present.: Mr.. +. T.
Glasgow, chairman. and Messrs. Beverly
r. Crump, Sandy N. Robinson. William
&. ADmons, j. A. CabelI, William IL. VIII
liams. and Thomas n. Page.
Colonel W. Il. Cutshaw, City Engineer,
was present bv invitation.
The secretary r, al the following resolli-
ton Of the City Council appointing The
committee:
Be IL resolved by the Council Of The city
OF Richmond (tbe Board Of Aldermen con-
curring(, That committee be appointed
90 he constituted Ms follows: the chairman
OF ibe Committee on Finance, chairman OF
Committee on Relief OF the Poor. chairman
Of Committee on Retrenchmept aud Re-
form. and chairman OF the Committee on
Grounds and Buildings, with three mem-
bers OF the Common Council, and two
members OF the Board OF Aldermep), whose
duty il shall be to report 10 the City Coun-
ell the following Information First, Is
there a necessity for house OF correction in
the city OF Richmond second, what would
be the cost OF the ground upon which to
erect such an institution. and the cost OF
the building itself: third. what would
likely be the number OF inmates in the es-
tablishment the first year after it, compile
ton, and what would be the annual cost OF
its maintenance fourth. and TO submit
plan upon which the money should be
raised for the erection OF said house OF cor
rection and reform, and a plan for It's an.
nlIal support and such other information
as they NAV deem pertinent TO the subject.
The following resolution OF the Board Of
Aldermen was also read:
Resolved, That the special committee
charged with the investigation OF the pro-
prietv OF erecting house Of correction and
reform be reQHested also 10 investigate and
report on the expediency Of combining a
work house with the city Jail, and report
on the propriety Of erecting new city
prison with proper wards for all classes
OF criminals, and suitable provision
for enforced labor in all wards practicable.
The chairman also submitted the follow
ing petition OF large number OF citizens,
referred by the Board Of Aldermen
To the Honorable Board Of Aldermen and
Common Council Of the city Of Rich
mOnd:
The statistics show that the number Of
prisoners in the city iail. aud the conse-
quent cost Of maintaining them there. are
nearly 25 per cent. greater now than about
this time year ago. This clearly indl-
Gates that the growth Of crime in our
midst is outstrippIng that of our city.
must greatly iniure both our oral and
material interests, and demands at your
hands the most earnest and careful con-
sideration.
Many " us are now convinced that the
present inadequate and improper arrange
mcnts Of our city jail tend greatly 10 the
increase of criminals and the perpetuation
Of crime in Richmond.
Now the Youngest child, simply charged
with the smallest offence aud sent to
prison, must necessarily be brought IN
contact with, and under the constant inlu-
cnce and tutelagc Of. the most experienced
and hardened criminals there confined,
with no employment save that OF being
trained and graduated in the yiest arts OF
crime aud rniamy.
BY paragraph II. OF section 10 OF our
city charter Won are expressly authorized
"to erect or provide in or near the city
suitable work-bouses. houses Of correction,
or reformation"
Believing thqt an institution Of this M
ture-in which the young IN crime may De
separately confined aud usefnlly employ
ed-will prove relief and blessing to this
community. a. experience has shown such
establishments 10 be 10 Others:
The undersigned. citizens and taX-pay.
ers, respectfully. but earnestly, ask that
YOU will at once take such steps as may be
necessary to carry into ehec' the foregoing
provision of our charter 10y establishing IN
or near TINS city suitable place for the
confinement. correction, and employment
Of the youthful offenders in our midst.
After preliminary discussion Of the sub
icct Mr.. Page offered "A resolution inviting
the committee Of ciiizens who presented
the petition TO the Board OF Aldermen. the
City Sergeant. the Chief OF Police. aud the
Police Justice, TO confer with the commit
tee and 10 lay before them all data In their
possession touching the question under
consideration.
The committee also adopted resolution
offered by Mr.. Page to visit and make
thorough inspection Of the city Jail.
On motion Of Mr.. Crump the committee
adjourned for the evening.