Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-11-30
THE STATES PRISON.
AN EXHIBIT OF ITS AFFAIRS FOR THE
YEAR PAST.
Annual Reports Of tho Board OF Dires-
tors and OF superintendent
W. ". Moses.

On the books Of the penitentiary there
are tho names Of ,081 prisoners.
OF these 266-all malos-are on public
works.
Seventy-niue Of the convicts are women
G white aud IS colored) and 1902 men and
boys. OF the grand total 191 are white and
$50 colored persons.
These are figures from the annual re-
ports just published. and that Of the Board
of Directors is as follows:
BoARos REPoRT.
OFFICE BoARp or DIRECToRs)
VIRGINIt PESITENrIARY,
RICHMOND, VA, November II. 1889. J
His Eyc.geacy. Gora7'or Fiizhugh Lee:
Dear Sir..-we have the honor to trans
nit herewith the annual reports OF the
Superintendent and Surgeon OF tho Peni-
tentiary. with accompanying tables, tor
the fiscal year ending September 30, 1889.
Ihefnancial condition of the institution.
as shown in Table No. ,. exhibits gam OF
SJ.GGJ.s2. The loss TO the State on con-
viots AZ work on railroads has aggregated
during tho fiscal year, after deducting
amounts due for hire. the large sum OK
Sl44z3l7. and these hires. we understand.
havo not been paid in all instances.
During the first six months OF the year
the number OF men worked III the shoe
shop WIS limited, owing TO its recent de-
structIon: but since that time the number
due under Davis * Co. 3 contract has been
gradually made No, and since April ist all
liabilities. including losses daily accrulng
on railroads. have been fully met 10y the
profits from shoe-shop hires.
The board feel confident that should tho
Legislature turn over the hiring of couucts
to railroad companies % the pcnitentiary
officials, subject 10 the approval OF the
Governor. net gain Of from 500 10 ~
pr cdDiiG per month could be optaned,
and the amounts collected, II authorized
10 recall them when hires were not prompt
ly paid.
We think the Legislature. whenit framed
the present law governing inc hiring OF con-
vict-, considered them nj least worth their
/ keep. and when they Gxed the hire al forty
! cents per dav their idea was that this
price would meet every expense; but 10
does not. rs the At'Omey-ienelal has de-
cided that we are entitled 20 collect ony
for dry, when the c0nyicts work. and are
entitled tO no pay for Convlcts employed
in cooking and washing tor those at work.
Should the legislature think proper TO
amend the law on the very liberal basis
TINT they shOul not cost tho State any
thing. the Superintendent should be au-
th0rlzed 20 employ surgeons at good sala-
nee. s0us toprocure competent men-thclr
salaries. of course, 10 be paid by the rail
roads who shall report and be responsible
to the State officials alone 10 look after the
interest Of the state. and see that the con-
v.ct- are properly clothed, fed, housed,
and treated.
We call attention 20 statements in three
/ former reports rs to crowded condition OF
/ cells, and recommendations.
The food supplied to the convicts Is
abundant and good their cleanliness ls
looked after. and every attontion is given
10 the sanitary condition of the institution.
The discipline is excellent, and the duties
If Superintendent. surgeon. officers, and
guards have been faithfully aud conscientl-
ou,ly performed.