The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-10

lions as 20 the needed Improvements at
| the penitentiary:
Virginia Penitentiary. Oct. ]. 1891
To the Hon. Board Of Directors OF the
| Virginia Penitentiary:
/ Gentlcmen.-fn pursuance or my oficlal
duty. / have the honor to submit this
| my sixth annual. report Of the manage
ment and financial condition OF this insti-
| tuition for the fiscal year ending the Sth
| September. 1891
Ii gives me pleasure TO report the mark
cd Improvement OF its financial condition
from year 20 year. The policy mapped
| out az the beginning OF my administration.
and which met with your hearty approval
and cooperation. has been steadily pur-
sued and the estimate made OF returns
has proved conservative l have paid 10
the Auditor Of Public Accounts in cash
during the fiscal year, as shown in state
ment No. C. N54e72e6 The Auditor
| credits our account with 500 additional
which was paid out enormously during
/ the last fiscal year, besides valuable I'M
movements which we are, under the law,
entitled 20 take credit for. The gain OF
the institution for the fiscal year has
been s5sis4.75, the largest amount ever
yet realized
The farm. burdened with the sick and
disabled from this institution. has not
been able TO support them by $4,000.
The report Of the Auditor Of Public Ac-
counts who as banker deals with our
cash. and after deducting $5.6S4 for
what is termed penitentary criminal
charges the cost Of bring in the conyicts
| and returning them 10 their homes. which,
we believe. ought not 10 be charged TO
! this institution. he leaves US cash bal
! ance OF s9G3l37l. OF s2o2Sl.S more than
last wear. This an cunt has been charged
| nv the Auditor and deducted from our
cash balance.
| You will observe that the earnings Of
| the institution for the fiscal year have
been greater than ever beforei the cash
| deposits were S15427266
| our net gain Of this institution for the
fiscal year has been S5S G34.75, which, after
deducting the shortage Of the farm OF
| Sf45On. leaves ms balance of 81, lA.Si
The Auditors report will show cash
balance to the credit OF the pentitentiary
of s36.Si8A. or $2O.2N.S7 more than last
year.
MAINTENANCE
Tne cost OF maintenance for the fiscal
year was Si4.4z4lI making cost per capita
Sa6l2. which is the cost Of feeding. cloth
ing gud1ding. managing, &c While II
would seem to be low. it is the result OF
a careful and economical management.
Many of our supplies including every
ounce OF meal. large quantities Of vegeta-
pies. &c. have been brought from the
farm ana the prisoners have had at all
tunes an abundance Of good food. while
plain ~ is wholesome and their clothing
mas been such as has been required by
law and humane consideration, and at all
times comfortable. The bulk OF our sup
plies are bought from competitive bidders
az stated periods. under the direction OF
your honorable board. and from our best
wholesale merchants. The prevailing low
prices nave aided ms to "A considerable eX-
tent. and paying the cash for every article
We buy we are always in a position 20 Sc
cure our supplies at low price for every
need OF the institution.
rne condition OF the men-That they
have been well fed. clothed and cared for,
is fully evidenced by their appearance,
being generally remarked that the men
going out after having served their time,
have a much healthier appearance than
when they first entered.
Their physical condition as a rule is
greatly improved.
CONTRACTS.
The contract with the Tobacco Company
which was never profitable to the State,
me contractors expressed no desire 10
renew and I with the advice and consent
OF the Governor Of the Commonwealth Of
virginia. ana with the approval or the
BOARD OF Directors Of the Penitentiary
OF the state. entered into a contract with
the Davis Boot and Shoe Company, cor
poration duly chartered under our laws,
which contract provides that the said
company shan from the 20th OF October
1897. and thereafter during the entire term
OF their contract with the State Of Nir-
ginia, which expires May LIST, 1906, employ
and pay for with certain exceptions, 100
male convicts in addition TO the $50 males
and an the females now employed. We
agreeing TO furnish the building now 0c-
cupled by the Tobacco Company 10 BIO
used in the manufacture OF boots and
SHOES upon the same terms and condi-
tions az the shops now occupied by the
same company. and as provided IN the
previous contract ana agreement.
mis- contract will insure the state
steady employment for virtually all OF the
oonvicts suited TO contract work and is in
my opinion a favorable one TO the State.
Under the law the superintendent fixes
the task, which Is fixed so that an ordi-
nary man can do IL easily. As an evidence
or the fact, the prisoners do overwork
wnen the company need IL, and have
made as much as S2,l75 in one month OF
the fiscal year.
THE FARM
Working convicts upon farm In the
cultivation Of ordinary crops could not
with the low prices prevailing be
source Of profit.
The scheme was urged for the relief OF
a congested prison and 10 find some sort
OF employment for those who could not
be used upon contract work within the
prison walls. and more especially as a
place for the incurable and those with
infectious diseases. looking upon II as a
sanitarium. | have from time ito time
during the fiscal year sent from here
1876 prisoners In addition 70 those held
there many OF them sick and disabled
The large number who were able TO work
have been kept employed as far as was
possible. or course II viii be under
stood with the amount OF land which the
state owns the whole number could not
always be prontably employed so with
the advice OF your honorable board and
the consent Of His Excellency the Gov
ernor. / leased the adjoining lands of
ID. w. Tucker a. Co. We cultivated 292
acres in corn and tobacco for which we
pay q share rent Of one-third OF the crop.
This large number OF prisoners have
been kept at the expense OF the farm.
q strict account OF everything furnished
including the pay of the officers and
guards has been kept against the farm.
will show that as a result the farm has