Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-23
VEASLES is ABATING.
EPIDEMIC rs sUgsIpuyG IN THE
PENITENTIARy.
,sg NEW TICKET-OF-LEAYE SYSTEM.
o,intcndcRt Helm ss Highly
Chased With the prospective Ac-
Ian Of the Observation-Disclosures BiII-
,,s tu Use In England.

The eqidemic Of measles az the peniten-
,-r, rs abating, though there are stin
ny cases I'm the institution.
visitors are, and have been for some
...,s ey luded from the prison. but SUI
..--fendcut Helm says he thinks this
..-thition can soon be removed. He i'm
..,f u because he did not wish the con-
.,si,r 90 be spread throughout the city.
I'D because he feared that supposed
Isles might develop into smallpox.
3. thinks there is now no danger Of the
latter disease.
-.--rlI health OF the prisoners in the
,,~rsrtiary and at the State Farm is
,-,sF despite the crowded condition at
Oh. sarmer The health average at the
e-r is always higher than that at the
r.-naruary, the result Of plenty Of exer-
rise .u the open, country air.
CONDITIONAL PARDONS.
Mr. Helm IS greatly pleased at the law
enacted by the last Legislature, giving
- ths Board Of Directors and the Gov
Nor the right of conditional pardon.
-ta following is the new law:
BE II enacted by the General Assem-
,rr M Virginia, That whenever any per-
..r is confined in the penitentiary for
r-, offence and shall have served out
-a.t ~ his term of imprisonment, he
s-sH De allowed TO file a petition with
,-a BOARD OF Directors of the said insti-
rgg8u setting forth that ne has served
raf ~ his term: that he has kept the
--.s1n rules in every respect. and asking
H. said board TO recommend him to the
Governor as a proper person 10 receive
conditional pardon.
The said Board of Directors, or any
Two OF them. upon receipt of said petit
non. shall inquire into the statements
made therein. and II they find them 10
Be true. and that the convict is a person
NJ To- receive a conditional pardon, they
NAV recommend him to the Governor for
mat purpose.
The Governor. after examining the
petition and the proof filed TO sustain 1t
and the recommendation Of the Board
% Directors. may grant a conditional
pardon 20 the convict upon such condi-
rrrs and with such restrictions, and
under such limitations as he may deem
proper: and he may issue his warrant TO
.-a superintendent of the Penitentiary TO
carry such pardon into effect
g. There shall be attached TO the
warrant issued by the Governor to the
Superintendent of the Penitentiary men
r1ned in the next preceding section the
Conditions and restrictions under which
the pardon is granted, and the said SUI
rsrntendent shall cause a copy thereof
3. ne certified to the Clerk of the court
.- which the offender was convicted, TO
. ~ no OF n
records are.
When a convict is pardoned on con-
5tf1ns TO be observed and performed
tv him. and such conditions are violated,
ra snail upon complaint being made be-
fore a Justice of the Peace or any other
.fcer authorized by law to issue war
rants OF arrest be forthwith apprehend-
"a and brought before the Judge Of the
court in which he was convicted; and the
said Judge is directed to investigate the
charges. either in term time or in vaca-
ton. and IL the said person is found
guilty OF violating the conditions OF his
rrdOn he shall be returned to the peni-
t.ntiary. there 10 serve out the uneX-
l.red term OF his sentence; and in com
putting the time Of his confinement the
tms between the conditional pardon and
his subsequent arrest shall not be taken
t1 be a part Of the term or ms lmprisoh-
uent.
e. This act is not 10 be construed as in
any way interfering with or abridging
ina authority now conferred on the Gov
ernor by law with reference TO granting
absolute pardons.
T. This act shall be in force from its
passage.
THE TICKET-OF-LEAVE SYSTEM.
The act in effect establishes in Virginia
the ticket-of-leave system, which has
been i'm vogue in England for many years
with generally satisfactory results.
Mr. Helm thinks the law will be beneil-
cial I'm that by permitting a man to be
turned out when his term is half expired
the dignity of the States laws will have
been maintained, and at the same time
the prisoner viii have a powerful incen-
tive 10 lead an honorable life, since re-
lapse into old habits will result in rein
generation without trial. The law is one
OF the most interesting enacted at the re-
cent session Of the General Assembly.