Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-17
rur pnEspyrrnrASs, APPEAL.

Sulpcu SUIT.
THE pREsBYTERIANS APPEAL.
The appeal OF the Presbyterian minis
.ers which was presented TO the House
OF Delegates on Wednesday we herewith
republish. rs IL Is worthy Of much more
than passing notice.
Richmond. Va. December H. 1877.
The Presbyterian ministers OF the cry
OF Richmond and vicinity respecuuiy
,enresent TO the Senate and House OF
Delegates of Virginia that from some
ocauaintance with the facts In the case
there Is in their opinion. an urgent necea-
sty for Immediate and radical change
In the accommodations provided tor con-
victs committed to the ponitentiary OF
This state. and petition your honorable
bodies TO inquire as TO the practcapiii'S
of such new buildings or change OF con-
struction as will remedy evils Whlch we
believe 70 be great and prevent the pro
pagation OF crime and the further ue-
PRAYING of character.
We ere led to this action by no sehti-
mental view as to lettering the condi-
ton OF convicts. but by profound con-
yiction that the present prison. win lts
crowded rooms and its constant contact
Of criminals. old and young. as wei as
its inhumanity and miserable unoieahh-
ness. Is unworthy of our CIVILIZATION anu
almost universally precludes all nope OF
that reform which is an essential fea-
ture of penal laws and of the peniteh-
tiary system. and breeds the worst evils
sending many of the convicts at the close
OF their terms out into the world and
our own State, more deeply depraVeu
and more dangerous TO the peace ana
Ia nd
tered. Respectfully submitted.
JAMES y. SMITH,
JERE WITHERSPOON,
JAMES T.. COOK,
WILLIAM s. CAMPBELL,
c. NJ. CHUMBLEY,
MOSES ID. HOGE,
ROBERT p. KERR.
CHARLES r. HYDE.
j. CALVIN STEWART,
CHARLES n. VAN HOUTEN,
d. X. WALTHALL.
This is n calm statement of facts. The
men condemned to imprisonment IN 'he
close and crowded cells OF the Virginia
Penitentiary are subjected to degree OF
npnishment which Virginia has no right
10 inflict They have not the boon ol
plenty of fresh air. Where so many are
herded together, and where sleeping
hunks rise one above another. the odors
are inevitably offensive. And yet the men
must eat in those very cells! Further-
more. from shutdown to sunrise the neces-
sity of the situation at the prison requires
that the convicts should be locked In
their cells, and upon no account are they
allowed to come out during those hours.
Thus, for eleven or twelve hours, III those
ill-ventilated and shockingly-crowded cells
the men must eat, sleep, and perform
every other function of life!
Every man who knows or ventures to
imagine what goes OH within those Cells
at night must pray that the good LORD
will move the Legislature to vote the
money to provide more cell-room.
The penitentiary authorities have done
all they can; now the matter is in the
hands of the Legislature.
For years the penitentiary has been to
the State a proft-paying institution, ana
It would be a shame longer to withhold
the appropriations needed to give it more
cell-room. All the more glaring would
this shame be if the money earned by
the conyicts, instead Of being spent Tor
cells. should be voted to other institu-
tions. Yet. in effect, this has been done
year after year.
However, we have hopes of better things
from the present Legislature. And If the
members of the two houses would only
visit the prison after shutdown and see
the men in their cells, then there would
be no need for any further argument.
Nor will il do for the present monstrous
Arrangement TO continue whilst a new
wing or new front is being erected OF
iron. stone. and brick. That could not
POSSIBLY be done in less than three or
four years, even if the Legislature should
hermit all of the net earnings of the
! institution to be devoted to that SPECIFIC
| purpose. No; it won't do TO postpone
| relief until then. Instant relief Is needed,
and should be given by the erection OF
wooden barracks. Yes; the cry is for
| prompt succor. Little comfort would 1t
\ he TO a poor, wasted prisoner TO tell him.
"Cheer up; in three or four years there
will be a new cell building here and Of
you are not dead by that time), you
| will have good quarters"