The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-05
Under Consideration by State Officials
Since Last May.
JUST SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Agent Of Davis Boot and Shoe Com
pany, with Copy OF Contract, he
turned North Friday -PrOvis-
ions Of the New Agreement.
The Health of the Con-
victs Looked Aftcr.

The States contract with the Davis
Boot ana shoe Company has been eA-
tended six years. The old contract
would have expired on May !, 1901; under
the terms OF the agreement just signed
the Massachusetts, frm contracts Tor the
hire OF $50 convcts until May /, 1913. Ihe
per head ngure in the Old contracts IS
renewed-42 cents per day for men ana
90 cents per day for women.
The new contract is a codihcation OF SIX
pre-existlng contracts. i've written agree
ments and one verbal agreement The
document, besides extending the time
contains few minor provisions which
are new.
The parties to the agreement on oehah
of the state. are the superintendent VINO
makes the contract, the Governor whose
permission Is necessary. ana the FenIteh-
tiafy Boaro, which approves the contract.
The matter has been the subject OF con
alteration az meetings Of the board since
last May The decision To extend the
contract was reached after mature con
slderatIon The contract IS believed TO
be tho best that could have been nego-
tiated for the state. The inclusion OF an
the provisions in proper legal yeroiase
is attested by the approval of the Attor-
nev-Generul. who went over the contract
carefully TO see that It was drawn IN
proper form.
SIG ED BY THE GOVERNOR
The contract I'm duplicate was delivered
to the Governor early in the week. lie
signed the two copies Thursday. one
was delivered the next day to Mr.. I. W.
Thatcher, general manager and secre-
tary and treasurer Of the Davis Boot and
Shoe Company. The other copy Will be
placed in the hands OF the 5uperlntend-
ent OF the Penitentiary When that copy
In the possession Of Mr.. Thatcher has
been signed by the officers Of the shoe
company and properly executed in Mas
sachusetts IL will be returned 10 Superin-
tendent Helms whereupon the copy IN
the latter gentleman's hands will be for
warded to Mr.. Thatchers company, In
whose possession It will remain after It
has been executed according 20 the law
With tho completion OF these formalities.
the contract at once becomes effective.
MEMS HEALTH GUARDED.
one Of the stipuat!ons OF the new con-
tract Is that hereafter the convicts under
contract shall be worked the full day on
all days preceding the five legal holidays,
and on every Saturday Should there be
occasion TO slow down on account OF lack
Of orders or for any other reasons what
ever cessation Of work may be necessi-
tated must be on days other than those
preceding Sundays and holidays. This
provision was insisted on by the state
authorizes In The interest of the health
Of the convicts. The law requires that
the prisoners be locked up when not at
work, and It has happened In the past
that the men we're kept confined contin-
ouously for thirty-slx hours. The stipula-
ton in the new contract will prevent such
q contingency hereafter.
SOME OTHER PROVISIONS.
The Shoe Company contract for the
service Of eight hundred and fifty CON
vets. with an option on thesseryices OF
whatever men may hereafter be received
into the pententiary and found adapted
to the Companys work. All Of the women
inmates are secured. II is provided that
the Company can at no time employ less
than eight hundred c0nvlcts. The matter
OF increasing the task of the men rs
'ert optional with the State There arc
other minor features. but IN the main
the contract IS In other respects than the
executions noted practically the same as
the old ones.
Codldcati5n OF the old contracts was
rendered advisable and almost necessary