Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-20
NOW FOR A NEW JAIL
CITY FATHERS VISIT THE OLD ONE
AND FIND 1T IN BAD CONDITION.
THE MATTER TO Be CONSIDERED.
IL ways and Means Can he Found,
the Wrong-Doers May Have a Few
abidior-PIace-Put the Inmates TO
Work-Committee on Poor Meets.

\ Inc WISH OF the lily IOuHSh W wv -
will be productive OF some very radica
changes in that institution. That mucf
seems certain, from the expressions
gathered from those city fathers whe
undertook the tour Of inspection yester
day afternoon. All seemed TO be OF one
mind as regards the urgent necessity FOL
| some immediate action, but whether they
! were impressed as TO the need Tor an
| entirely new building is by no means SO
clear.
The crumbling old building had been
| swept and garnished." and though it was
| by no means empty. it was still as neat
| as the proverbial new pin.
That the drainage is defective Is only
too palpable; that 1t is place of doubtful
security, with its crumbling walls and
broken easement is quite evident, and
that its limits are too narrow to accom-
modate all those who are committed TO
its care has long been recognized. In
addition to these defects, which do not
need to be pointed out, even to the casual
visitor, II is q fact that the gas and
water pipes are in a very bad state Of
repair, and that the machinery of the
institution is absolutely rotten. Then,
too, there is a total absence of any hos
pital facilities, properly so called, and
no way of dealing with infectious dis
eases. Cases where surgical aid is neces-
sary have to be treated at the almshouse.
1T CANNOT BE ENLARGED.
The Jail cannot be enlarged, 1t is said,
because the city stables are in the way.
The desirabilty for a new prison is urged
upon the strength of the fact that the
old one is absolutely primitive in con-
struction, and sadly out of date. 1t pos
sesses none of the modern improvements,
but rather presents the appearance of
vast piece of patchwork, go often has it
been repaired in places The object of
Mr.. Marx Gunst, chairman of the Com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings. in in
viting the Council to inspect the building
was to impress them with all these facts.
and TO point out to them the need for
new building. the cost of which. according
to specifications which have been care
fully prepared, is between $4,000 and
$1,000
The fact that the land on. which the
Jail now stands is considered to be Of
little value appears to be the greatest
bar to the building of a new Jail else
Dispatch reporter yesterday that though
they recognized the state of the Jail as
extremely deplorable, still they could not
vote for new building, with an empty
exchequer. and no prospect of selling the
old site. On the other hand, there were
councilmen who were convinced that a
new Jail for the city is a crying need, and
the subject will most likely be a fruitful
source of discussion at the next meeting.
FOR THE PRISONERS.
One result of the visit of the councilmen
will be the introduction of an ordinance
providing for the employment of the pri-
soners. The champion of this measure
will be Mr.. Zimmerman, whose idea of
putting tramps 10 work in Shockoe creek |
is now being carried out with such adj |
mirable effect. Mr.. Zimmerman con-
tends that the hosts of able-bo1ied men. |
who are crowded into the Jail to live in |
dleness, and even in comparative luxury, |
as far as some of them are concerned,
would be n source Of income TO the city,
Il they were employed in making such
as there is no money in
he Treasury at present to carry out BY
employing them in this manner, he says
hey would not come in conflict with
honest labor" and he has been assured |
# the support of some members of the
,ouncil. If he decides to bring this mea-
ure forward
SQUIRE JONEs's GANG.
After inspecting the jail the councilmen
listed Shockoe creek, where Squire
ones's tramp-gang was busily employed.
rhe work being done there was highly
commended. Members Of the Council who
we're present We're: Aldermen-Bahen,
King, and Zimmerman. Councilmen-
amp Cottrell CARRIER. Gibson, Gunst,
Ieeke, Mills. Miner, Neale, Peters. Shea,
Vest and Woody. Polce-Justice Crutch-
cid and Dr. NJ. ID. Hoge, Jr., of the Board
+ Health, were also present.
Committee on Poor Meets.
The Council Committee on Relief of the
'oor met In regular session last night at
he City Almshouse. Chairman Cottren
onvened the committee at s o'clock, and
he following members were present.
1essrs. Drewry, Gunst, Hobson, Smith
nd Teefey.
The Superintendent of the Almshouse |
his report for the month of
august, 1898, showing that the number OF
inmates July 81 1888, was 23l; number re-
eived during August, "a; number dis
harged, "a; number died, H. number re-
naming August 81. 1885, 200; increase over
asst year. 3. Number Of patients in hos
ital July 81 1885, 62; number received
uring August, So; number discharged, 80:
lumber died, o. number remaining in
ospital August 81. 1898. 81; decrease from
lst year, TO- Deaths at almshouse, II;
department. OF Poor OF City. 20-total, 81.
he report was received and filed
The payroll Of the asmshouse, $500; De- ,
artment OF Poor of City, 500, and bills ,
TO 81 O6S.06 were approved and /