Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-01

"The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Diil "''7
rsssed both houses of che General Assem-
biv. 1t came from the special committee on
The Reduction of Criminal Expenses ana
provides that hereafter the sergeants ana
shcrins of the several cities and counties
tsaye in exceptional cases shall not bring
convic;s to the penitentiary. but that the
SUPERINTENDENT shall send his own men
for such persons.
This will save the State one half Of the
present cost: moreover. it is the greatest
proof yet given the public of the retfench-
ing disposition Of this Legislature. FOR
twenty years this reform in the interest
Of economy has been discussed mole or
less; but whenever bin to effect 1t was
introduced in either house II was rejected.
II the members of the two houses had
allowed themselves 10 be guided by thelr
personal sympathes. rather than by their
public duty in this matter they would
have left the law unchanged But most
of them being pledged TO ohect re-
auction OF the criminal expenses Of the
state as far as possible. they could not
see their way to continue an unneces-
sary charge upon the Treasury even
though it is true as stated that the thins
in question is time-honored perquisite
10 officers whose pay is very small
indeed.
some years ago. when there was an
effort TO reduce criminal expenses, simi-
lar TO that now beins made, the Legs
lature refused TO amend this convict
4 in
il was charged with showing undue
favor to sheriffs and serseants. This
Year the advocates of retrenchment carry
came TO the conclusion that IN
10 other way possible could they so
well show their earnestness of purpose
as by cutting OFF this expensive perqui-
site And having done so they feel all
the frcer now 10 attack other useless
expenditures wherever they may find
Them. 1t is confidently expected that the
new transportation system will effect
a saving to the public Treasury Of about
$60oO per annum.
Now that this long-deferred economy
has been adopted. We trust that The Legs
laturc will ,eel all the freer TO vote an
appropriation TO enlarge the cell-room
OF the penitentlary. The Dispatch under
takes 10 say. without fear Of contradic-
ton. that If the crowded condition Of
this prison could be shown to the Virginia
people 10y means OF photographs of each
cell the voters Of this Commonwealth
would have their sympathies 50 greatly
excited they would Immediately in
s.st upon the Legislature granting The
sum needed for this purpose.
The crowded condition of the mems cells
Is nothing short of a disgrace to Virginia.
IL Is thing that We Nirsinians should
lie heartily ashamed Of That there is no
exageeration in our statement may be
seen by reference to the official reports
of the penitentiary authorities.
An the additional ccll-room now needed
may be obtained by tearing down Inc
present penitentiary front and erecting
in its stead a wide four-story building
A neat and inexpensive administration
building. including guafd-Iooms, etc, etc,
may bee erected in front Of the new fTcnt
Of the building. These improvements
would make room for a new Kitchen, a
new hospital and a new laundry-ail of
which the institution is in deplorable
need OF. Seveniy-hve thousand dollars
will DO al Of this work
Let those who wish 20 amellorate the
condition OF the inmates Of our peniten-
t!ary and remove the rcproach that row
attaches 70 Virginia by reason Of the
shockingly crowded condition f. the mems
cells urge the Legislature 10 vote the
$1,000 And remember that Al Of this
sum will not be needed during this fiscal
year; but may be called for partly curing
this year and partly during he next.