Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-02
IS WELL CONDUCTED
MUCH EVIDENCE is GIVEN FAVOR
ABLE TO THE REFoRMAToRy.
MAJOR STILES ON ITS MANAGEMENT
he DveiIs ON the Experiences OF
Those who Have Conducted SINH
lar Installations in other Countries.
The Testimony Closes

= The investigation into the affairs OF tn
4 virginia Prison Associations reforma
tory at Laurel, before the House Com
mittee on Prisons and Asyiums. whicl
had drawn itself out to such length, wa
finally brought to a close last night, AM
n now lies with the committee to decide
upon its report.
Two sessions Of the committee wer'
held yesterday. as on the day previous
and much interesting testimony was
brought out by the examination of Mrs
Langhorne. Major stiles. DIR. James, and
others
While the exact nature OF the commit
tees report cannot, of course, be stated
II is safe TO say that from all indica-
tons a decided majority Of its members
will vote that the charges against The
| institution have not been sustained by
the investigation 1t is likely that some
notifications of the present law with
| reference TO commitments and limit of
term may be recommended.
PLEASED WITH ITS WORKINGS.
The committee resumed its work yes
terday morning at 10 o'clock in Room
No in the basement of the Capitol.
Major Stiles stated that Mr. Jennings, a
member of the Legislature, was acquaint-
ed with Lawyer Barr of Abingdon. and
was ready at any time to appear before
the committee and testify as to the good
standing of that gentleman.
Mrs. Ora Langhorne, of Lynchburg,
was the first witness. She said that at
the time of the establishment of the re-
formatory she took much interest in IL.
About two years ago while living in the
town of Culpeper, she was instrumental
i'm getting two little waits. named Hans
boro', admitted She said these boys
had greatly improved, mentally and ply
sically after coming to Laurel. The WITT
ness then described visit which she
paid to the institution on Saturday last.
She said she requested to see the entire
workings Of the reformatory, and re-
NAMED there for n number of hours. She
was most pleased with all she saw. She
approved the discipline which she saw,
and pronounced the food which was dis
pensed as good and wholesome. The dis
positions of the boys seemed cheerful,
and their manners. particularly their ia
BILE manners. were very good.
APPROVED THE GUARDS COURSE.
She then told the pathetic story of the
early life of the Langhorne boy her
nephew. and the boy who was shot by
Guard Turner, and during her testimony
she became much affected. The boys
father. she testified, had not condemned
the action of the guard but had said
that. If necessary he would have done
the same under similar circumstances.
When she saw the boy on Saturday he
was greatly improved in disposition, to
all appearances, and gave her his prom
Use that he would try and do better in
the future She also learned that since
the shooting he had not received de-
merit. In reply to question, she stated
that she had not been summoned to APP |
pear before the committee. but simply |
sought out Major Stiles to ask if her tes-
timony would be of any good TO the |
cause. She pronounced the institution |
i'm her opinion. as one of the best in the |
State. and said she thought more re- |
were what was needed. BY |
permission. she told of the good effect |
produced on a boy sent to Laurel by
Judge Paul. Of Lynchburg.
Mr. Wilson asked the witness several
questions in relation to her opinion or
the punishment given at the reforma-
tory. to which she replied that she was
herself. brought up under a vigorous adj
of Solomon's receipt. She
said she had no children of her own, but
she considered all the children of the
State as her own, and was willing TO
give her life for them, if necessary.
MAJOR STILES ON THE STAND.
Major Stiles, who was instrumental in
The organization of the Prison Associa-
ion and the establishment of the Laurel
Reformatory, was the next witness. He
touched briefly on the Langhorne case in
opening his testimony especially as TO
The weapon found on the boy, which, he
said. was an exceedingly dangerous-look-
ny shoemakers knife. Continuing, he
;aid that one of the most important
hings. i'm his opinion, was the guarding
II the bows after being dismissed, and
he keeping of them from old, evil asso-
,iations. In opening his personal state
nent. which he requested TO be allowed
o make. Major Stiles stated that he had
irst taken up the work as the one which
offered to him the greatest opportunity
If doing the greatest amount of good du-
ing the closing years OF his life. For
his reason he had made a most careful
study of the manner in which similar
Institutions were conducted elsewhere. In
his connection he paid a high compli
nent to the system of child reform in
Great Britain, which, he said, was the
,nly country in the world to-day where
rhine was not on greater proportionate ,
Increase than the population. 1t was his
esire to have a greater diversification ,
II advantages tor the boys, similar TO
hose given in institutions in England,
)utj explained the enormous amount of
money appropriated by the government
here. He denied that the reformatory ,
vas a prison. Its object was not punish
nent, but education, and general upbuild- {
ng. He next read bill, which he had {
at a previous session of the
legislature, but which had been with
irawn. This law, he said. was compiled
n part from reports of institutions in
arious parts of the British dominions,
xtracts from which he also read, par
icularly from the report Of the British
Reform Commission.
RAISING MONEY FOR IT.
Referring to the financial condition OF ;
ne Prison Association. Major stiles ]
Lated that he himself had raised $4,000 !
V private subscription and he knew OF !
t least one will. which might be con- >
,sted. but which, nevertheless, donated :
% 900 to It, and he hoped others would 9
,llow this worthy example. He regret =
ID having 10 work the boys for such 9
ing hours, but 1t had become necessary r
keep up with expenses, and to wipe | U
Ut certain debts. He hoped in the near +
lture TO see the institution not run to h
lake money, but TO make men He | :,