Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-12-07

pIDllc treasury. s Fs &
CONDITIONAL PARDONs.
The conditional pardon act passed
at the last session Of the legislature,
has been hailed as a blessing by the
prisoners, has been beneficial to the dis
cipline OF the prison, and is, I believe,
approved by the public. SO far {, total
OF 102 conditional pardons have been
granted. and we are yet to hear OF the
first one of the heneficiaries. of the act
Violating the conditions imposed upon
him when executive clemency was ex-
ercised. i ask your attention to what
the Board of Directors has to say about
amending the act so as to bring within
the operations OF the law many prison.
ers who are now excluded from its
benefits.
The prevalence of small pox in GER
tain cities and counties of Virginia
during the past year. made it necessary
that unusual precautions should be ex-
ercised. N"v
Il concur with the Board and Super
intendent, and emphasize their sugges-
ton as to the dcsirably Of appointing
a chaplain for the penitentiary. The
ministers OF the gospel in this city have
done a great and good work in visiting
the prisoners, and I hope they Will con-
tinue their visits; but there should be
one in daily attendance upon the prison
and for such services the State should
be willing to pay a reasonable salary.
The health maintained in the peni-
Tertiary and at the farm is highly cred
table to the surgeons and other Off
GERS. 1t is also Il cause for congratula-
ton that the institution is now provided
With the ablest and best hospital facil-
tiles it has ever had. Yet the necessity
remains to safeguard the pententiary
and farm against epidemic diseases.
and for some months during the past
year they We're "quarantned" against
the small rox. a difficult and respon-
Sih ri sd irah
CDLORED REFORMATORY
Our colored citizens. through the
zeal and intelligent effort Of one of their
number Prof. John H. Smith, late
Minister Resident and Consul General
TO Liberia. through chartered asso
citation. known as The Negro Reforma-
tory Association Of Virginia. are at
tempting a work similar to that Of the
Reform School of the Prison Associa-
ton OF Virginia. for White boys. They
have succeeded in establishing the Vir-
gnia Manual School at Hanover. Va.
a panta ton OF 1906 acres Of land has
been purchased at a cost Of S14432. 90,
by contributions of our own citizens
and ,philanthropic persons from outside
of the State. and this fund has been
supplemented by a generous gift from
Mr. Coils p. Huntington, of New York
Of over $1,000. Some needed repairs
have been made to the buildings, and
the school has been put in operation. l
granted conditional pardon to seven
boys under sixteen years of age and
sent them to school; and I am glad to
report that on a visit Of inspection to
the farm by the Board of Managers of
the Deni-entiary and myself. we found
them making most satisfactory pro-
gress. These boys have SO far been
clothed and fed by the institution
Virginia has giSen large opportu-
mites for common school and higher ed
ucation for colored children and youths
and yet there is a distressing lack of
moral advancement among some of
them. as witnessed by the crowded
condition OF our pertentiary and jails;
and the State should, for it's own good
and the welfare Of this class. devise
some plan for saving the large number
| Of negro children and youths who are
beyond the influence of the public
! schools or intelligent home restraints.
1t is 70 the interest Of the State and
of society that every effort be made
| for the moral, religious and education
al advancement Of all classes of citi-
Gems. This work of course is in a large
measure experimental. but, in efficient
| hands and with proper and sufficient
I encouragement, it is we'll worthy of ex-
| pertinent. and it would be we'll for the
| legislature to make some arrangement
| with the institution to take incorrigi-
BILE or criminal boys and girls on some
thing like similar terms as those under
which they are taken at the Laurel
| Refortnitory .r
1T may be that the legislature will
see its way clear to make a reasonable
| appropriation for necessary buildings.
STATE HOSPITALS.
| The reports of the various State
hospitals are before you. and 1 point
YOU to the recommendation and sug-
gesuons therein contained. There will
be necessity for some measure to be
adopted to relieve the crowded condi-
ton Of these institutions and to provide
| Tor othe, afflicted parties who are de-
handing admission and proper care
Various plans Will no doubt be suggest
ed. and this Will receive at your hands
due consideration and all the help pos
slble under the States financial condi
ton. gre @
The hospital at Marion was planned
for much larger number of patients
than it can at present acconBnoda ate
There is abundant water supply and
administrative accommodations, cleo.
ltrlc and heating power for fully double
the present number. The building was
), planned for very large extensions, anc
. one wing HAS now an addition alnnos
, completed, which, if finished would ac
coinmodate possibly a sufficient number
to relieve the congestion at that insti
. tuition. and enable it to receive those
: who ara at home or in jails. who
, through their friends, are clamoring
+ for admission. ! recommend that the
necessary appropriation to complet,
this building be made as soon as prac
, tica Bile.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS OF
! PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
: II have endeavored to distribute
t throushout the State the appointments
+ on the boards of our public institution
! as far as possible. think in this wa,
a more intimate and personal interes
J. can be developed in all OUT great pub