Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-21

each. and the other q two-story build I
ing. about 40 by 200 feet, containing |
kitchen. laundry, boiler-room, store
rooms. &c, on first floor, and room on
the second floor large enough to seat
all the convicts al meals and 10 be used
also as chapel for religious services
Mr. Glasgow stated that It was already
we'll known TO most OF the members of
the committees that there were only $50
cells, in which over loo male convicts
were crowded. A few Of the cells were
large, perhaps 20 10 80 feet square, in
which twenty TO thirty conyicts lived.
The greater number OF cells were less
than feet wide by IA TO 10 feet long, in
: which were kept an average of six con-
~victs The prison now proposed would
take one half Of the convcts from the
old cells and relieve them to that extent.
He further explained that the proposed
prison was of modern design, double
prison, the outer one of brick %
feet wide by 2G0 feet long, and the inner
one steel cage Is feet wide, 235 feet long,
leaving corridor all around in which
guards would patrol day and night, and
which would be lighted at night by
electricity.
The prison, according to the plan, is TO
be located Immediately in front Of the
old prison, the southwestern corner on
Spring street, and fronting on that
street, but being parallel with the front
of the old prison. 1t DIVORCES from
Spring street, and is 16 feet from 1t at the
southeast corner.
The plan shows an administration
building three stories high about SOxlSo
feet, attached TO the prison buitaing at
its western end. The FIRST floor contains
offices, armory, and storerooms; the Sc
cond story rooms for the guards, and
rNa al ms n hnGTlt1I
ample dimensions TO be divided into as
many wards as the surgeon may recon-
mend. The present hospital has but one
ward each for white and colored; there
IS no provision for separating contagious
or Infectious diseases, and the dying
convict Is surrounded by his sick Eel
iow-convicts, who witness his death ana
the removal of the dead body.
The two-story building shown in the
plan will provide ample accommodation
for cooking, laundry, boiler-room, etc.,
and dining-room in which ali the con-
victs can be seated. At present the
conyicts take their meals 20 the rooms
n system not followed in any well-man-
aged prison. The present cook ana
laundry-rooms are underground, and en-
slrely unfit for the purpose.
WHAT 1T WOULD COST.
Mr.. Glasgow further explained that the
hoard had considered carefully the cost
of the whole. and believed that 1t would
not exceed 100000, with the use OF CON
yict labor, as far as practicable. II was
thought at first that the amount might
be provided by an issue OF bonds as Al
the case of the University OF Virginia
hut there was found a constitutional op-
section TO this, and 1t was finally con-
Guided that II the earnings or the penn
tentiary were applied to the CONSTRUCTION
with an appropriation by the Legislature
~ sas 600 per annum towards payment OF
fbe officers and guards, II would be sum
cient and, with rigorous management
The buildings might be completed IN TWO
Years. ~. a.,
II an turned on the contract with the
Davis Root and Shoe Company. The In
come OF the penitentiary was derived
from the contract with them. The Stat'
was exceedingly fortunate In havns
such tenants, a company OF flne business
capacity, Of large means, and VINO per
sorrned promptly and faithfully All tneA
engagements.
CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM -
Mr.. Glasgow spoke OF two or th9e'
other subjects ne would like to bring Z
the notice of the eomm';tee--one was ,
change In the goyernment OF the penn
fentsary, so as TO make II similar TO m
government of the other state institu
tions. which he urgently recommends
as In the interest Of better government
The board should be enlarged by the ad
clifton OF members from different point
OF the State, and should be given con
ira OF the snstitutiSn. ipclueing the az
p66ntnent OF Superintendent and ait ON
c<rs aud employees; 10 meet quarterly
wIfh small executive COMMITTEES I
o>fat weekly. This change he&dfecate
before the committee at the last session
OF the legisiature and observation sine
had confirmed the opinion he then helf
Such change, so far from being an
fri<nd.y to the incoming Superintendent
was very much in his interest. A super
intendent who performed his dutie
faithfully had mach greater sssuranc
OF continued tenureS when his appoint
nent was made by a board than vhe
he had to eight his way before tina Lesii
7ature.
Mr.. Glasgow also asked the committs
70 consider the subject OF providing i
Law for system Of conditional pardol
He said there was a growing sentimei
IN favor Of II, a number Of the Stats
having adopted ssackl Legislation vii
f4osfactory rssaliss He had the Epglif
~ en- the snbisct; sisa tina New YoI