Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-07

f"i"Oib "Vuiu pe 10 subject innocent per-
sons to the wrong-doings OF these iawiess
people, which could not be Justified nor
excused. To anticipate such an emergency
as this think II wise to lease. with an
option or purchase, a good farm at some
suitable place, and erect on II cheap but
secure prison-house. well protected by a
stockade. In which, if IL should become
necessary. the prisoners may be con-
hned, cared for and guarded. at but lit
tie expense. At all times We should
have place OF this kind, where the old.
the invalids. and the boyy who are sent 10
prison for a time not sufficient To learn
q trade could be placed. and required 10
cultivate the farm and make food for the
rest. and thus be a great saving. So. for
two reasons-for sanitary purposes. end 10
enable us TO utilize the labor OF thos' who
are unable from any cause 20 work In
the faetories-I recommend that this be
done.
THE OBJECT OF PUNISHMEN1'S.
The law infiicts punishments upon
criminals for the protection OF socety'
and 10 deter others from committing
crime. This is done In great part by
confinement I'm the State prison for
length of time proportionate to the enor-
nifty Of the offence committed; hence,
the difference of the terms meted out TO
each criminal. There is another way IN
which society hopes 10 be benefited by
the influence OF punishment, and that IS
by reforming the criminal. This cannot
be done by confinement alone. i mink
that you will find upon investigation OF
the facts the criminal class belongs. In a
great measure, TO those who do not Work
and have no regular, useful employment
They have no credit; they have lost favor
III. sk.a.v a
revenge themselves upon society (Which
they despise) and attempt TO live in utter
disregard OF the laws and of the rights
OF others.
Now 10 remedy this II is necessary 10
change their habits OF life. Where they
have been worthless and lazy, they should
be taught 70 be systematic and regular III
their work: where they have no employ
ment, thGy should be made TO learn a
trade, or do something which Is useiul ,
and in this way when their terms OF
confinement are ended they may be
come good citizens. The labor reqW red
OF them in prison should have reier' nee
TO this, and every convict confined III the
penitentiary should be taught to WORK at
something which viii be valuable TO him
and enable him to make a living Wheh
he is discharged. The young conVicts
should be taught to read and write also.
Their minds will, in this way, be turned
into a different channel, and this may nj
them TO perform the duties Of honest clt-
zcns.
When convicts are discharged from pri-
son they are looked upon with distaVor
bv those who know that they have been
I'm prison, and preference is given 10
others who are not so efficient because
of their former bad conduct. Therefore,
they should be trained in such way, II
possible. as TO make their serv ices de-
sirable. and this may be q sufficient induce
ment TO give them employment in some
useful business.
A record should be kept Of each one,
and II worthy the Superintendent shouI
be required 20 give certncate OF en-
cheney and of good conduct when dli -
charged. These things will enable coz
Wet i'm part at least, to overcome tle
n,otudice against his class, and enable iii H.
If worthy. TO start life anew. But II ne
Is turned loose upon society with no
knowledge OF business, the master of no
trade. ignorant Of any useful employment
what Is TO become of him? There IS a
universal prejudice against him. Socie "
excludes him: he knows nothing OF bu ST.
ness: he has a living TO make. but no
friends no means. and no employne NJ
He is subjected again 10 temptation De
cause of his helplessness, and he is fprced
bv his necessities TO make war on society,"
and as a natural result he becomes worse
than he was before his punishment
YOUTHS IN PRISON.
There are in the Virginia penitentiary
1oo youne persons who are under the age
of q wears. How many there are In The
common tails of the country | have not
been able to ascertain. a number OF them
have every natural qualification TO ne
come useful citizens. If properly trained
ana educated. Much can be done during
their confinement, and when hpefaleu
tbev NAV be able to obtain employment
ON account of their efficiency. then you
NAV hone for reformation. The SupeIin-
tendent should endeavor to find employ
ment for such as he can recommend "a
useful laborers and employees, ana tllus
aid them In securing business anu
home. The public will in TINS way nv
ont their usefulness. and its demands
will give them employment. Ihus WI
the moor outlaw learn to feel kindly to-
wards those who employ him and give
him food and clothing, and teach nun
mat there is something yet for him. Ills
lie will begin anew and from being q
convict he may become a useiul man
and society will not suffer by his pres
cnce This cannot be done by thrusllhp
him out of prison, where he had iood aho
raiment and a place TO sleep. ana cas'
him upon the unfriendly world WIZ
ne has nothing. He is at enmltY WIN
the world: has no power Tor Wablht
war in a legitimate way; Is una DE IL
siipport himself. and, therefore, ms ne
ccesfties have made him a iawless h'tiila'
heinr. who is despised by those VINO
might have been his friends.
4 REMEDY SUGGESTED.
II should be required by law that the
various occupations and trades useiu
IN the people should be taught TO those
who are sent to prison. so that when
they are liberated with certificate oil
eoiciency and good behavior we may
bave some ground to believe that WINE
society has been protected by the pun
ishment of these unfortunates, the crlhi-
nails have been improved by learning 70
become useful during their terms or I'm
nrisonment and will see that the chas-
tisement which has been laid upon thenn
o,os for their own good. and they may
leorn 70 love the law whose iron mana
has inflicted the punishment. We mus
eudeavor to stop the war between INC
criminal and society. 1Hcle II Only oiie
Nv nv which this can be done, ard thai
Is bv bringing them in contact with each
other. when perhaps selfish 'considera'
tions may make them at first acquainted
and then friends. and when society sees
tbat the moor convict is useful and con
venience. or he may be a necessity, -heI
II win forgive his past and become III shd
II, towards him. on the other hand Wner
the convict sees that society Is not MS
enemy. but is giving him employment
and supporting him. he may forget the
nost and feel assured that the hand that
nunished him was not unfrlendiy, and
mat the prison house was the school III
which he was trained to be usetui man
and to him a blessing in DISCUS nc
such a result all the aims and ends OF
The penltentiary should tend. Hope shonlo
he tnstilled into the breasts of these un
fortunate people, that they may DC
hrou0bt 10 see that the world is not
tbe,r enemy. but will aid them II they
are worthy as quickly as 1t punished
tbern when they were criminals
CONDITIONAL PARDONS.
II the Legislature would pass law al
lowing the Governor to grant conditlona
nardons TO criminals in the penitentiary
oil q