The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-03
MR.. FLANAGAN SUPPORTS IT

Mr.. Flanagan made an earnest appeal
TO the senator's TO vote Tor this Dill 4 ne
State should, IL necessary, go down INTO
It's pocket and appropriate the money
for charging the prison. Much sym
patty with suffering Cuba had ben *
pressed in Virginia but right here IN
our midst were prisoners whose condl-
ton was as bad as that OF the Cubans.
MIR. Flood said while ne was convinced
that something If possible should be done
10 relieve the congested condition OF the
prison, he was not ready TO vote SlooUJ1
out OF the treasury Tor this purpose when
the State Is threatened with deficit in
Its treasury. Ii had been argued that the
money would not come out OF the state
treasury but this was an incorrect I'M
preston. for the fund proposed TO be eX.
pended would come into the treasury II
not devoted TO the building schemes.
Mr.. Flood went on 10 argue that the
nee sssity Tor such an enormous appro-
priation did not exist al this time. There
was no need of 30i cells. much less
number would serve TO relieve the crowd
ed condition Of the prison.
Mr.. Flanagan wanted TO know II Mr.
Flood could suggest any better plan for
relieving the cOngested condition Of The
prison.
Mr.. Flood replied in the affirmative He
said he had submitted a proposition (he
sugar beet BID that would, If adopted
take a number Of the convicts out Of the
prison and he could suggest another plan
put the convicts to work on the pubic
roads.
In conclusion. Mr.. Flood urged the SEN
ators 10 go slowly in voting this appro-
priation. reminding them that the tax
payers would not approve OF the spend
Ing Of such, large sum Of money for this;
purpose when a smaller amount would
serve to provide the necessary additional
cells.
HUMANE AND BUSINESS-LIKE.
Mr.. Eggleston followed Mr.. Flood and
made a forceful appeal in behalf Of the
bill lie contended that from a humani-
tartan standpoint the additional cells
should be erected. Not only this, but
there were business reasons why this
should be done He urged the Senators
to discard all sentiment and 10 view the
proposition as "a purely business matter.
When this was done he felt sure the bill
would pass.
Mr. Sands offered an amendment strk-
ing out Of the act the requirement that
convict labor as far as practicable, be
used IN erecting the building.
Mr.. Morris said the Committee on Pub
lie Institutions Of which he was chairman.
had made q careful investigation Of the
matter and had been convinced that the
proposed Improvement could not be made
at a smaller cost than that provided In
the bill. The subject had been discussed
in all parts Of the state and he had not
heard Of any objection to this improve
ment. The State had a right to punish
cOnvicts. put In had no right TO place men
where their health will be destroyed.
Referring 10 the amendment proposed
by Mr.. Sands. Mr. Morris said he knew
the labor organizations were Jealous OF
their rights. but he could not believe
there was any body OF men SO poor i'm
spirit and so lacking in the qualities that
make good citizens that they would be
unwilling to allow the poor devils in the
penitentiarv to help themselves out Of
their horrible condition.
Mr. Morris closed with an eloquent APP
peal TO the senators To vote for this bill.
4 PLEA FOR LABOR