Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-19
A BACON RATION.
BEEF RATION.

rs bushels meal at Ssc................... 81
81 barrels fish at S-................... %
A. pounds sugar at 3izc. ................ 40
81 pounds coffee at 9lsc................. .
b. barrels flour al 500 ............... L ~
Total cost for 1900 convicts.......SS 50
Either ration costs fraction less than
8 cents per head per day.
AS is well known" said Major Lynn
"the ration 20 a field-hand is Sia pounds
OF meat and ia pecks Of meal, with no
thing else Tor each week.
Last year over s.. 500 was expended in
hospital supplies, which included extra
food. such as eggs. crackers, rolled oats,
chickens, ETC.. which is not embraced in
the item of cost OF feeding, as given in
my annual report. The remainder Of this
81 500 went for medicines.
THAT UNsOUND FISH.
Superintendent Lynn was asked how it
happened that an unsound fish was shown
20 a gentleman connected with the to-
bacco factory as having been fed TO a
prisoner. MIR. Lynn replied that he
bought about 600 barrels Of Potomac or
North Carolina fish per year. and from
the most reliable parties wholesale mer-
chants of this city: that he always
bought them under a guarantee; that
some Of them should be found in the
course Of four years that were not good
would cause no surprise, but If the pris-
oner who surreptitlously carried this iish
back TO this gentleman (who, under the
rules. had no right to talk to prisoner
except upon business pertaining 10 his
NorsO had been honest I'm calling atten-
ton TO the matter, that it might be recu-
fed. all he had TO do was to show II
i-n NrGF
nave Immediately corrected the matter
by giving him a good fish. But" said
Mir. Lynn. who knows how long that
prisoner kept that fish to get 1t In con-
dition to use for his purposey
TIE EXTRAS ALLOWED.
Replying 10 an inquiry as to the eX-
tras allowed prisoners. Mr.. Lynn SAID:
Finder an Act Of Assembly, approved
February 10, 1852, it is provided that the
Superintendent. with the advice and con-
sent of the Governor may establish
system of tasling the convicts in the
different wards of the pententiary when
IL can be done. allowing them reason
able CONDENSATION for their work be
.ond their task, which shall be placed TO
their credit and paid to them when dis
charged or if requested, portion or all
may be sent TO their family, or II 50 de-
sired. il may be paid TO the prisoners
from time TO time in provisions or otner
articles selected from a standing list TO
he prepared by the Superintendent and
annrovpd by the board, said articles 10
he purchased by the Superintendent as
provided, etc, and charged 10 the con-
victs at cost. Under this provision L
have arranged with three grocery men
wfls furnish alternately, at lowest cash
prices, upon the order OF the prisoner
such articles as he may want 10 vary
his ordinary diet or some luxury that ms
oupefite may crave. or little toilet arti-
clos etc. etc. Not more than one half
of the total expenditures goes for food, it
Is believed. The sum of $40 was expended
on one occasion for watermelons.
HOW FAMILIES LIVE CHEAPLY.
Major Lynn, by way of illustration,
called attention TO the small amount
that some families have TO apply 10 inc
purchase OF food, citing Fhe cas-
of family Of eight persons
living on something like $3.50. Major
Lynn said:
"A gentleman who was born and rear
ed IN this city gives me the following
figures as about the division OF sd
per month salary: 90
House-rent, per month .........''''.'.NV
Fuel and water ............'.''.'''''''' .
Clothing, lights. laundry, etc...'..'.'' 10
Food .............. ........ 's'''.'''''''''' -
Total ..............s..' 49, '''.S''
This. for a family of eight persons
would give them for food exactly cents
per day Tor each MEMBER.
"R,n'" said the Dispatch man. some
Of such a family would be children
"Granted." said Major Lynn, but this
same family would, perhaps. pay lot a
peck OF potatoes what l pay for bushei'
and so on through the list
THAT the prisoners are well fed ana
loolk we'll" added the superintendent
sis remarked upon by our visitors. Mr..
Davis 10 The contrary, Notwithstanding.
The hands worked upon the tobacco
contract get little or no overwork. CON
sequently have no money for.the purchase
OF Injuries; yet they look equally -
well as the men worked upon the shoe
contract"
In conclusion. Superintendent Lynn
said he was willing for the most search
ing inquiry TO be made into all features
OF the penitentiary management Inc
conyicts. he declares, are given plenty
10 eat, and sound. wholesome food. While
the beef IS gotten at a very low inquire,
n is fresh and good. " is furnished by
the Richmond butchers, under Contract
and Is what is left from The choice cuts.
The Superintendent says there is plenty
OF food lett every day TO feed thirty or
forty hogs.
WHAT THE LAW PROVIDES.
Section 4l27 OF the Code says: THE
convicts shall be fed on bread OF Indian
meal. or ciher coarse bread and have one
meal a cay OF coarse meat The Board
OF Directors may change or regulate the
diet for good cause"
Section 4i2S saws: THE Superintendent
may. when he deems II necessary. and
shall, when the surgeon so advises,
change the diet and adapt Il TO the health
or condition OF the convicts. or any OF
Them. or ne may allow extra diet to those
who need II"
THE REPORT NOT READY.
The report OF the subcommittee on
Asylums and Prisons OF The condition OF
the penitentiary was not made YESTERDAY
as had been expected. The committee,
to,veyer took no other minor matters,