Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-09
TO ABOLISH HANGING.
a BILL TO DO AWAY WITH CAPITAL
PUNISHMENT IN VIRGINIA.
ENLARGEMENT OF YHE PEEITENTIARY
The Subcommittee Reports That the
rnstftution a. owercrowded--saia-
rses OF state orciaIs-county PEN
sfons 60 soIdiers-.sugar-Bect Dill.

Mr.. Berry is a young man. and law
yer, and has spent much time delvini
In the ancient records OF Stafford anC
KING George counties He says that
what he found there convincos him tina
when the penalties wero most severe
crimes were most common. lie think;
that II has been clearly demonstrated
that capital punishment Is failure a:
q preventive OF the crimes It is I'm
tended 10 abolish. and thai the doctrine
Of The Old Dispensation. requiring mans
blood 20 BE- shed for tho shedding OF
blood. IS contrary to the spirit OF the
New.
Mr.. Berry ie far from a fanatic or 4
crank on this subject, but has devoted
a great deal OF calm. earnest thought
to II.
PENITENTARY ENLARGEMENT.
Following is tho report OF the sub
committee appointed TO investigate and
report as TO the need Of enlargement Of
the penitsutary:
To the Chairman Of the Committee Of
Public Institutions and Education of
the Senate:
Your subcommittee appointed 20 con-
slider and examine into the needs Of the
penitentiary beg leave 10 report that
after visiting the institution and exam
sning II thoroughly, your committee is OF
the opinion that the cause OF humanity
demands additional accommodations for
the prisoners confined within tho walls.
We ind that tho 100 cells within the
male department have to accommodate
from 100 TO 1900 prisoners, and that
from four 10 twenty-six prisoners are
confined in each cell. The hospital,
kitchen. and wash-rOom Departments Of
the present prison are inadequate for so
large prison population
The contracts now existing with the
Joseph Davis shoe Company. and which
are highly advantageous TO the State,
yielding a large annual net revenue
These contracts give employment TO more
than nine hundred men and will most |
likely, In the near future. employ still |
more. a. the contractors contemplate en- /
largenent. To carry out successfully |
these contracts. not many prisoners can |
be spared from the present number con- |
fined at the penitentiary.
The plans OF Architect West. made 1
under direction of the former Board of /
Directors OF the penitent!ary. contem-
plate such enlargement as In the judy 4
ment of your committee would meet
all the probable requirements Of the near
future and render the prison comfortable
and commodious. and in the judgment Of
your committee some such plan should be
adopted and the building erected by con-
tract with responsible contractors. pro-
viding for the use OF all material OBJ
tanned from removing any Of the present
buildings and for the largest possible use
Df the convict labor consistent with pres
he of |
The farm.
For further particulars as TO the pro-
posed plan of enlargement your commit
zee refers TO plans Of Architect West,
heretofore submitted TO the committee
Ind ask 10 have them made as q. part of
his report.
GEORGE B. KEEZELL,
II. c. LOWRY.
d. O. EGGLESTON.
The committee took no action on the
-epOrt. but IL is understood that IL will
DC adopted.
SALARIES OF STATE OFFICIALS.
There has been much discussion in the
Legislature as 10 the salaries paid the
State officers, and resolution after reso-
ution has been adopted in this connec-
ion, and committees appointed to pre-
,are a list Of these salaries.
Inc dbOul WHICH 50 IuuGn /
ak has been INDUCED in. is to be found
lnder the same roof which shelters the
and is as follows:
Secretary Of the CommOnwealth-Sala
2 OOo commissions. s692.54.
Auditor Of Public Accountability, |
3 coo; no commission or fees.
State Treasurer-Salary. 5000; commits
ions on deposits. SlA0.32.
Second Auditor-Salary. $1,000; commits
ions from the Samuel Miller fund. S72o5l.
Railroad Commissioner-Salary $500; |
10 fees or commissions.
Superintendent of Public Instruction ,
ialary. 5000; no fees or commissions. )
superintendent OF Penitentiary-Salary,
] 600: use of dwelling and fuel, water, ,
nd gas therein; estimated. 5000.
superintendent of Public Printing ,
'alary, 81, 800; no fees or commissions. ,
Register OF the Land Ohice-Salary,
] 800; no fees or commissions.
Commissioner OF Agrculture-Salary.
/ 500; commissions on fertilizer-tax col
ected, 1913. =
Attorney General-salary, $3.50; no fees
" commissions.
Clerk Of Senate-Salary per annum, !
] 800; no fees or commissions. l
Clerk OF House of Delegates-Salary
]. 800; fees. etc. $ie6.7o
Adjutant- General--Salary, s, 800; no fees
r commissions.
Assistant Inspector General - Com
ensation and expenses. average per an
um for five years. $579
COUNTY PENSIONS TO SOLDIERS.
The Committee on Counties. Cities, and
owns met yesterday afternoon, Mr..
Riggs in the chair. and decided 10 report s
avorably Mr.. Stubbs's bill too authorize
he supervisors Of each county and the a
ouncil Of each city 10 make a special :
wy for the support and maintenance Of =
lalrned and disabled Confederate soldiers :.
their respective counties and cities"
Mr.. Stubs explained his measure,
hich has been fully published in the
Dispatch. and the body was unanimous
deciding to report II. Every member +"
I the committee was present, with one
reception. ard the sentiment Of each was o
4 favor Of Mr.. Stubbs's plan to aid. IS a
ar as possible. the disabled and manned
confederate soldiers. e
WHPPING-POsr BILL. d
Mr.. Murphy's whipping-post bill has \
cen reported favorably by the Com =
iittee on Courts OF Justice. -
Mr.. Reddy is opposed TO the measure.
nd will probably make a strong fight -
gainst II when II comes up in the q
Iouse. "
The House Committee on Asylums and II
risons met yesterday morning TO con- a.
der Dr. Winston's bill in regard 10 the Is
lstody Of minors sent 10 the reforma- ~
ny. a. a.
This bill provides that such minors 10
all be convicted before being commit IL
20 the Prison Reform Association, TO IN
kent nj the eyDc. sc OF the State and az