Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-30
Total..................s 1859 II

It will be noticed at once that Vir-
ginia, the State immediately interest
ed and supposed to be benefited is one
OF the smallest contributors. This can
be accounted for on the ground that
she is on the spot and in touch with
the colored people of the State, and
knows that the sentiment amongst
them is overwhelmingly against the
erection of any Negro Reformatorv at
the present time.
The other States are remote and un-
informed as TO the sentiment of the
home people on the subject. They
proceeded upon the ground that be-
cause such an institution would be 8
good thing for themselves, that there
fore it would be good for us. They
thought they were carrying out the
golden rule-"Do unto others as ye
would have them do unto you"
thank them for their good intention.
but would tell them in all seriousness
that they are mistaken. When the
colored people of this State shall, in
the remotest degree, have some say as
to who shall make and enforce the
laws OF the State, and the punishments
and penalties for crime shall be impair
italy imposed. it will be time enough
for them to contribute of their hard
earnings and use their influence to in
duce those of other races and States to
contribute toward the erection OF mod
ernized prisons to reform their children
in, and in which to teach them useful
trades.
It is impossible for me TO make my
ideas as plain as / would like to in a
contracted newsp aper article, where
my mind is constantly reverting to the
amount Of space / am taking up in
your valuable paper. But to the can
did and thoughtful reader, they will be
apparent enough.
There is in full operation, in this
State. such an institution as it is sought
to erect for the benefit of colored chill
dren OF this State. 1t is the Reforma-
tory at Laurel Station, Henrico Co.
for white boys.
Now, let US remember 1st that no
white girls are sent to Laurel; only
boys, while it is proposed to send the
colored children, without regard to
sex. to the Negro Refnrmatory
End: That every white boy sent to
Laurel will be we'll looked after by in
terested parties. They will be ad-
judged by men of their own race who
will see to it that they are not wrong
ed.
3rd: That the white people are in
telligent and wealthy and therefore
able and know how to defend their
children before the Courts while the
colored are ignorant and poor.
But in spite of all these advantages
enjoyed by the whites, look at the fol-
lowing extracts from evidence brought
out before the Committee appointed
by the Legislature last winter to in
vestigate the management of the Lau-
rel ReformatorY for white boys:
RESIGNED FROM THE BOARD.
''Mr. Henry Lee Valentine was the
first witness called: Il was on the
Board of Directors for about q year.
he said. AT the last meeting which l
attended, the case OF John Sterling was
called up, who had been sent to the re-
formAtory school for disobedience, as
thought for sixteen months, but he
stayed there for three years. His faith
er had secured him an apprenticeship
with Messrs. Scott & Delaney, and
asked for his discharge from the school
which was refused. then rendered
my resignation, because ] felt could
not conscientiously remain on the
board under the circumstances