Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-22
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER %, 1897.
r,,r pr,ITENTIARY IMPROVEMENT

From several hundred persons residing
an different localities of Virginia there
have come to the newspapers and to the
Legislature idenucally the same sug-
gestion for the relief Of the overcrowded
condition Of the penitentiary The coin
cidence Of opinion upon this subject is
uuite remarkable. All these people say
.Instead of erecting new buildings upon
.he penitentiary grounds, put the convicts
90 work upon the roads, or send, them to
the farm"
This would seem TO be simple eXpedi-
ent TO reduce the prison population, but 1t
IS hopelessly impractical. Almost all of
the revenue OF the penitentiary comes
from the hire Of convicts TO shoe-con-
tractors. From this source nearly $4,000
per annum is received by the State, and
the operations OF the shoe company are
being extended year by year. At this
very time it is preparing TO occupy
new factory--that is to say, the peniten-
tiary factory formerly occupied by the
tobacco manufacturers
So. until the year 1906. when its con-
tract expires. the shoe company must be
provided with between nine and ten hun
bred hands. And of course, men must
be kept in the prison to cook and wash
Tor and clean up after those prisoners
who are at work for the contractors.
Again there are convict desperadoes who
are not employed upon the shoe contract,
whom IT would be dangerous to send TO
The farm. and who must be retained with
an the strong walls OF the peuitentiary.
Thus. the prisoners whom the peniten-
tiary authorities ask the Legislature to
provide for are men who MUST he Kept
here in Richmond.
There is no question at all about the
fact that the cells are inhumanly crowd
ed The Dispatch has never known any
person who has seen the cells at night.
with the convicts in them, who did not
cry out in horror and amazement.
The plan Of the peniten-iary authorities
FOR enlarging the building contemplates
The construction OF a new front about
hundred feet forward of the present front,
and nearly on a line with Spriag street.
This would give S4 new cells, and would
make room for a new hospital, kitchen,
laundry, etc.
The cost of this improvement would be
fl5OO00, exclusive Of the convict labor that
might be utilized in the work.
Frank r. Glasgow, Esq, the pres lent
of the board. on Monday submitted to
The legislative committees having charge
of the subject the draft of a bill pro-
posing that for the space of two years
the Legislature should appropriate $1,000
per annum towards the payment of the
salaries OF the officers and guards OF the
penitentiary, and that the earnings of the
institution be turned over 10 the board
Tor building purposes. The earnings of
nearly three years would be thus con-
sumed.
So far as we know. no better financial
plan has been or can be suggested. me
simple question Is whether the Leglsla-
ture will continue to pay out the earnings
OF the convicts for the benefit OF other
institutions, and leave the convicts them
selves TO suffer. or will meet the difficulty
boldly and decisivey.
This question was up two years ago
md ought TO have been favorably dis
posed of then But while no money was
appropriated for this purpose, the Legisia-
ture was very liberal in other directions
We think the time has now come for
Virginia 10 remove the reproach that Is
upon. her by reason Of herding her con-
victs as she does. Radical action should
be taken at this session OF the Legisla-
ture. We are by no means welded 10
the present plan of improvement. If the
Legislature knows how the same object
may be accomplished at less cost and
with expectation OF equally good results.
we say by all means adopt that plan
The cry OF the convicts Is for more
bseathing-room. for plenty OF fresh air,
for some little OF the privacy OF life.
There are thousands OF cattle-stails In
Virginia that one would prefer 10 sleep
r. IN rather than in room such as
hre the cells at the Virginia penl-
tentiery But that there IL going 70
be change In this matter we cannot
doubt. The religious people of this State
are now becoming aroused. and we may
txpect good results from their work.
-
The Liverpool Steamship Association
has endorsed the petition Of New Yorker,
10 the Iendon fsho,uf,ar ~ fss,,, k,,..,sca "