The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-07
CONDITIONAL
PARDON ACT
Penitentlary Board Will Consider the
Subject Of a Change.
PRESENT LAW NOT EQUITABLE,
One Plan Suggested ms Remedy.
Former Superintendent Gum
Will Answer Charges Made
Against Them.

The Penitentiary Board, in its forth
coming annual report, will, 1t is under
stood, deal with the question OF change
in the Conditional Pardon act Of the
Legislature The act provides that con-
Wet who has served half the term
for which he was sentenced, and who nas
not been subjected TO punishment Tor
infractOn of the rules, may maze aD-
picatiOn for pardon. 1t has been con-
tended by those who favor chanse III
the law that it does not operate equitd-
bly,. The contention may be Illustrated.
Promise Of reward of freedom. Tor IN
stance. is held out 10 a man who has just
entered upon the service of two-year
sentence Inducement is offered him to
observe the rules, 50 that AT the end of
year he may apply for a pardon On the
other hand, there may be at his side L
long -term man, who began say ten years
ago the service OF a tWenty-year sen
tence, and in all that time he may nave
observed the regulations. Yet, as the law
now stands, he must be on his good be-
havior for one-half the time remaining
unservcd at the passage OF the act "A
hardship IS thus imposed. in that the sec
ond man is on his mettle to behave well
three-fourths of his whole turn, whereas
serving the rules only one-half Of his
term. one remedy suggested would haze
the act so changed as 10 take into ac-
count the conduct of the convicts during
a period of from three to five years prior
TO the passage of the law. The extent OF
such period might be fixed TO apply TO
all alike, or a graduated scale TO CORES
pond TO varied terms of imprisonment
might be incorporated into an amend
ment to the law.
The Boards report will not he ready for
some time yet In the interval the con-
ditional Pardon act will be considered,
with a view to the recommendation OF
some changes that it is believed could and
should be made. Its recommendation
touching this subject Will be one OF the
features Of the report.
WILL VINDICATE HIMSELF.
II is understood that Mr.. W. +. Gum,
fClner Superintendent OF Schools at Rad
ford against whom charges have been
prcferred before the State Bolrd Of ECU
cction. has written letter in which he
Gates that ne viii appear before tie
BOARD and disprove the charges. lie con-
tends that the accusations against him
were ispired by malice, and emanate from
a faction.
Mr.. Gum Is now at Bessemer, Alabama.
II is learned that he resents the action
Of the Board in allowing the charges
against him to be made public. As
mater of fact. il may be stated that the
Drefermeut OF charg~s against the SLIer-
intendent have long beer known by many
persons who have no connection with the
IOarc. IN c0nnartion with Mr.. Gums
resentment. It might also be stated that he
les- the State withpu communicating
any determination 10 resign the Office
he held
No date has been assigned for the in
vestigation Or. Southall, Superinten-
dent Of public instruction. has been sick
at his home IN Amelia county for the
past week. suffering with the grip lie
IS improving.
LETTER FROM POWDERLY.
Among the letters received by Governor
Tyler yesterday was one from T. V. Pow
Derby, former head of the knights OF
Labor. now Commiscioner-Gene Of mi
migration of the United States. The
writer petitions the Governor to appoint
Mr. William Henry Mullen. Of Richmond.
Commissioner OF Labor, to succeed Nh.
4. p Montague. The letter will be flied
with the mass OF applications and en-
dorsements that have come in since the
announcement that Mr.. Montague VIII re-
sign.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Governor Tyler did not 90 home
to vote. In Pulaski and Giles the
situation is said to be one-sided. and,
in fact, there are no candidates opposing
the Democratic ticket.
Attorney-General Montague, who spoke
last night at Danville will remain there
10 vote to-day He will return to Rich
mond this evening.
A number Of the officers and employees
I'm the Capitol and Library building have
gone home 10 vote. Among the number
is Commissioner Of Agriculture Koiner.
who left for Fishersville to-day. Mr..
Koirer by the way, will leave again in
few days. the occasion of his second trip
being 10 attend the State fair. at Column