Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-04
THE STATES WARDS.
NEARLY s.4oo IN THE PeNTTENTlARY
AND ON PUBLIC WORKS.
The Institution supports Itself and Makes
Money-A Farm Desired So That
All May Work.

A neatly-printed pamphlet Of forty-three
pages, giving In detail the operations OF
the Virginia penltentiary for the fiscal
year ending September 30th, has just
been placed In the hands Of the Governor.
The publication Is quite an interesting
one, and embraces the annual report OF
the Board of Directors. together with
those made to the board by the Superin-
tendent and the Surgeon. The report OF
the observation-disclosures. F. T. Glasgow. w.
ID. Chesterman. and +. W. Chamber
layne--is addressed directly TO the Gov
ernor. 1t covers the years transacuons
briefly, and IL as follows:
Dear Strive transmit herewith the re-
ports OF the Superintendent and Surgeon
OF the Penitentiary for the fiscal year
ending September 30. 1898. with the ac-
The net earnings OF the institution for
the past fiscal year amount to the sum OF
$ls67.75. This Is a gratifying result In
view Of the widespread financial emoa-
EASEMENTS (Which have produced stagna,
ti0n In the business of the country, ana
is entirely due to the revenue received
from the hire OF convicts employed In the
prison, the amount received from con
victs hired outside being scarcely sum-
Client 10 pay their expenses.
1t has long been apparent 10 the BOARD
that the true policy In the management
OF the institution Is to provide facilitles
for the employment within the. prison or
all the convicts capable OF being pront-
ably employed therein: and In order TO
carry out this policy we have used me
earnings Of the institution for enlarging
that by the end of the present calender
year and with the restoration or tne
usual business activity, we have reason
able assurance of finding employment IN
the prison for all convicts having an
earning capacity therein.
A STATE FARM SUGGESTED.
This will leave several hundred OF the
old and innrm men and boys, and the
short-term men who are supported IN ldiee-
ness in the institution: and who would;
| the supplies needed both for themselves
| and the convicts employed In the prison.
| II Is essential that more cell room snoui1
be provided without delay; ana me DoS s,''
| perintendent that this be done by removal
| of the supernumerary convicts TO Iarn
| to be leased or purchased for the purpose
The board call your attention 10 tne %.
| jections TO the present approach TO the
| institution from the city. The route Is
| from Second 10 First by Byrd street. q
street occupied by the railroad trestle
The road through the. grounds OF me m.
| stitutiOn has "A very heavy grade ana Il
used as a public highway. 1t Is believed
that an agreement could be made with tn'
| city TO extend Spring street through th'
grounds to Arch street, win saelsia ,
| DRY grade, the State giving the lana &C
cupied by the street and the city un1 nc.
! taking to grade and complete IL. ~,
| land on the south side OF TINS street y
not needed by the institution, ana wouIs
be greatly enhanced In value by the open
| ing OF the street. and the proceeds o.
| the sale Of Il would more than recouI
the cost OF the lot bought by the DoarS
at the corner of First ana Arch stree,s
| q Of 90
REVIEW THE LAWS
We recommend that q committee o.
| the Legislature be appointed TO review al
| the laws governing the institution, an'
to report such amendments and changes
az they deem wise
We recommend that the Legislature EN-
power the board to lease or purchase
! farm for the use of the institution. anC
10 extend the northern wall SO as TO en-
| large the enclosure on that side, ana u
use the earnings Of the institution TO pay
the cost.
| sure I'm assuring you that the institution
! Is now placed on footing To earn iarB
net revenue.
II Is due to the two contractors wh'
| employ convict labor in the prison TO stat
that they have compiled faithfully VIII
their contracts during the financial strait
| through which we have passed; omoor.
The Superintendent, surgeon, oi h',si
and guards have discharged thelr uutle
eificiently and faithfully.
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES REPORT
The report Of Superintendent Il. W
Lynn is a carefully-prepared paper. az
goes more into details than that OF tn
directors. He calls attention TO the fac
that the earnings of the institution In
side OF the walls have been greater tina
ever before, Notwithstanding the bushes
depression throughout the country. I