Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11
A Letter from the President of the
Association.

we nave all so very little 10 do here
with black people in any way, that 1
could hardly influence any person to sub
scribe" to the negro reformatory, ex-
plains itself:
The Negro Reformatory Association,
Office Of President,
IS east Leigh street,
Richmond, Va, November T. 1893.
Mrs. George F. Godfrey. Bangor. Me-:
Dear Madam.-Yours of October 81. 1898.
received, and contents carefully consider
ed, AS 20 the enclosure relative to the
Calhoun Colored School. ! beg to inform
you that 1 am familiar with the purpose
OF this educational centre. and cannot but
hold the Accomplishment and future eff
fort looking to its expansion in the high
est esteem. 1t, like Tuskegse. Hamp-
ton, and Lawrenceville. in my own Vir-
ginia, are the grandest Illustrations Of
New England and Middle States Chris
tian philanthropy to tho negro race. Every
dollar given these institutions Is an in
vestment in regso civilization and in the
growth Of negro American loyalty and
patriotism. And in this new departure
OF the nation, the policy OF expansion the
result OF The recent war and glorious
victory, the loyalty OF the negro poyula-
ton Is factor designed TO make stable
this policy, II 1t be approved by the whole
American people. And II otherwise
negro patriotism and loyalty are one OF
the most reliable guarantees in safeguard
Ing the country from foreign aggression.
But word in further explanation of the
circular letter which has proved Of SO
much benefit TO the Negro Raformstory
ASSOCIATE of Virginia. In the purchase
or the site and the establishment OF the
Virginia Manual Labor School. In VIZ
GINA, UP to eight years ago, every white
and black minor convicted Of a misde-
meanor or felony. where the offence
was not Unable. was sentenced either 10
one OF the Jails In one Of the counties OF
virginia, or to the State Penitentiarv for
term or days, months, or years
Imprisonment in the jails or the
penitentiary OF minor meant beinp
placed In the same compartment in which
were adult offenders. and the herdine ~
the young with this class without regard
TO sex. AS a result, the imprisonment Of
boys and girls for trivial or grave offences
tended 70 destroy every vestigs OF self
respect. OF shame. and was a preparation
for return to jails or the penitentiary.
or, In other words, was a legal method
OF making children and youth permanent
criminals. beyond a reasonable expecta-
ton OF reform. The sinfulness, the snor-
nifty OF this system, resulted In the crea-
ton of the Prison Association of
Virginia, a private corporation of white
which association established q
reformatory for white boys at a place
called Laurel. In Henrico county Va. six
miles from Richmond. AZ a consequences. |
for eight years white boys who were CON |
victed Of being disorderly. Migrants. or |
criminals were no longer doomed to a |
life OF disgrace and shame by imprison- |!
ment in jails or the penitentiary, but have |
a way open to them to atone for wrong |
doing by being sent from the court |
houses TO the Reform School On the |
other hand, there are the negro boys and
girls, who start In life Handicapped by
heir race. their poverty their ignorance,
and the absence of sympathy for their
condition of strangers and aliens In the
and of their birth, In the land that has
been made to bud and blossom into pros
,srIty after the greatest civil war. by |
he unpaid and the poorly paid labor OF
heir ancestors; these minors In Virginia
nay not be sent to the white reforrnatory,
tut must, on conviction OF an infraction
II law, the penalty OF which Is Jail or
imprisonment. bs sent to tho
association OF hardened criminals. male
md female. In the jails or psniten-
larry Of Virginia.
The consequences to these negro children
nd youth. Is perpetuity Of degradation.
Inrslisvsd by any possible shanse q -