The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-03
FOR THE GOOD OF BOYS.
An ADDRESS BEFoRE THE CAUCUS.
Major stiles Appeared Before the Nembsrs
ofthe Jegislsture-RspoTt on the Con-
grcssional Eeapportlonment.

The Democratic members OF the two
houses held caucus last evening in the
hall of the House Of Delegates, with Mr.
John +. Ryan. of London. In the chair. The
object of the call was the receiving Of the
report Of tho Committee on Heapportion-
ment of the Ten Congressional Districts in
this State. Senator Jones' of Highland sub
mitiee the report which contained only one
change from the existing formation Of the dis
tricts. The Senator stated that 1t was proposed
to cut of Botetourt from the Sixth district
and TO add it 10 the Tenth district. The Sixth
at present had population o. lo4, 90. while
the Tenth has only 10000 The average pop
ulatiou of the other districts was l65. 600, and
by taking Of BotetOurt with 1000 both dis
tricts would be about even. This change had
also been deemed advisable for political rea-
sons in order that the Tenth district might be
made more secure for the democratic party.
The subcommittee had recommended an
other change which WAS rejected by the two
JOINT committees On PRIVILEGES and Elections.
Mr.. Gibson moved the adoption OF the report.
Senator rs Ter offered as an amendment TO
cut Oh King William rom the Third district
and add II 70 the First district The amend
ment which had been voted down 10y the
joint committees was rejected by the caucus.
Mr.. Philip T. Brown stated that he had re-
ceived telegram from the chairman OF the
Democratic committee Of Botetourt coun-
county be retained in the Sixth dis
trict. Senator Flood. Of Appomat-
t0x supported Mr.. Browns amendment
TO leave the two districts rs they are at pre-
sent. The amendment was lost by vote OF
20 to 49, and the report was adopted Tho
lratrt ota aasr in a
condition.
ToB BOYS.
AT the close of the session OF the caucus the
members remained to listen to an address by
Major Robert Stiles on the subject OF enlarg-
ing the reiormatory for boys st Laurel station.
Major Stiles made a cry interesting state
ment and gave Il brief history OF the Prison
Association, which had received It's char
ter from the Legislature on March
3. 1870. On the following day
law was passed permitting courts and magis-
trates 10 turn over boys under age 10 the As
sOc!atiOn Tor minor OHenses instead OF sending
them T. Jail. The Association had been
organized pursuant 10 the provisions
Of the charter and some of the best citi-
zeDs Of Richmond had interested them
selyes IN the OBJECT OF organization. Their
idea was 10 establish q scientific Chris
tian treatment of criminals 10 secure their
reformation il possible. He spoke Of his visit
TO Switzerland and England where he made
himself familiar with the workings of reform
atory schools There were ABOUT 200 such
schools in existence in Great Britain. and
during the past twenty years 10000 children
had passed through these institutions ms
was the only country where crime did not
increase IN greater proportion tuan the
population. In Virginia the number or
criminals had doubled during the last
ten years In other States especially
in lvarl nj T
was still more untavorable. Under
the workings of the reformatory schools the
number OF male criminals had decreased IN
Ing and 2, per cent. and that of female
criminals 45 per cent. Here ~ Virginia
boy had recent been sent 70 the penIten-
tiary for stealing - cents I'D postage stamps.
IL had been his third ohense, which fact
brought on the severe punishment.
The Governor, however. pardoned the
bOy and turned him over 10
the Association he was now al the school
at Laurel station and doing well. He knew
it 10 be q fact that often white boys while IN
jail were educated in crime by old criminals.
THEIR LAND.
The Association owned ninety -eishtacres Of
land and had recently erected an addition 10
the old buiidine at an expense OF 900. the
inmates doing the uuskilied work. The
whole appearance of the boys had changed
wonderfully since they were inmates OF the IN
stitutiOn and promised TO become laW-abldlng
and productive citizens. The Association hal
since its existence received -o.Ub5' from al
sources and owed at present $1,000, but their
property WAS worth no least 5000. 1neir de-
sire was to enlarge the institution 20 rs %
make room for a.out one hundred bOjs. 10
was a fact Well-knOwn TO the authorizes that
in this city on the average from one hundred
TO one hundred and fifty boys OF the age oil
Il teen years spent their nights away from
4 L. e. fa 20. I.... q
10 the reform school. The maintenance or
the one hundred Logs would cost %, 10 Per
year and the expenditure OF thatamount would
prove q great saving TO the State IN the long
run. Ii had been ascertained for instance IL
Massachusetts,. that the support OF each GRIM
inal outside OF tie prison cost the stale on
the average $1,000 for property DESTROYED by
him etc. lie thought that the cOnvicts OF
the peuitentiary with proper legislation eoul!
be utilized IN fitting up the grounds aud
buildings at Lenrel station. MAJOR Stiles
then read bill which will be to-day intro
daced in both houses.
THE BILL.
The bill is q lengthy one and contains the
following provisions.
Whenever parents or other persons having
the lawful right o. control child under SIX
teen yeaTs make compliant t0 q court. nudge
or Justice that the child cannot be controlled
mains away from home, and es-
pecally at night. and whenever the
principal, superintendent or other
chief officers OF any public school,
orphan asylum or poorhouse, the
oyerseer OF the poor or other officer, commit
Tee or person having the custody OF control of
OF charged with the duty OF looking after tie
poor and destitute. shall represent 10 q
court. nudge or justice that such minor ought
10. TO remain where it is and IS proper sub
iect for the discipline and training OF one OF
the schools of tho Prison Association OF Nir-
einia. then the court. Judge and Justice
shall take the proper steps 10 commit sucn
child if under fourteen years. ana when over
that age the steps may be taken TO commit
The child. with the consent Of the Prison As
ISOLATION OF Virginia. 10 one Of ITS hools
These commitments shall be mandatory II
minor under fourteen years commits crime
less than felony and It shall
be optional if the crime is felony
and the minor is fourteen wears old
or over. 80 commitment shall be for less
than two wears but it may be without limita-
ton as to Ii c. provided that no ner5on be de-
tanned beyoud.the age OF twenty-one ears aud
.l.t nof.ts.. Tod rQrSDrg my Dp pr0v1,lonnlV