The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-12
State Authorities Urged to Provide
for the Penal Population.
TREATMENT OF THE C0NVICTS.
Committee Attaches Blame TO No Ono.
Complimentary 10 the Manage
ment, But Dcplores the made
quate Facilities - Report
Signed aud VIII BE Pre-
senied 10 Governor.

The committee OF Richmond ministers
to investigate conditions at the Virginia
oenitentlary. after six months Of time, will
present its exhaustive report to Governor
Tyler this week
The typewriter document was clrcu-
lated by the chairman, Rev. Robert A
Goodwin. among The other I've members
last week. and EACH after bestowins upon
IL "a final reading, attached his signature.
The report sets out cOnserVatiyely. fully
and suggestiveiy the result Of the care
rd INVESTIGATION made by the committee.
The report will be presented 10 GOV
ernOr Tyler this week. Tie entire COM
mittee. il is expected, will accompany
Chairman Goodwin 10 the Governor
Onice, and il is probable that verbal
exchange between the Governor and the
members of the committee will take
place. the idea Of such "a conference being
to permit of the Governors receiving "A
thorough understanding Of the views OF
the committee since some details upon
which bee might desire Information may
not have been covered in the report.
REPORT CARRIES WEIGHT
The report viii carry great weight. rep
resenting as 10 does thorough lnyestiga-
tion of conditions M an Institution which
has from time to time been the subject OF
severe criticism. The gentlemen compris-
ing the committee. besides Dr.. Goodwin.
are Rev. Dr. William T.. Hatcher, pastor
of Grdce-Street Baptist church, Rev. Ian
don Il. Mason rector OF Grace Episcopal
church, Rev Dr. George Cooper, pastor
0f the First Baptist church. Rev. or. r.
r. Kerr, pastor 0f the First Presbyterian
church, and Rev. John j. Gravatt rector
)f the Church Of the Holy Trinity.
BADLY ONERCROWDED.
The feature o. the report will be "a state
ment OF the 0vercrowded condition Of
The pcnitentlary. together with an expires
sion OF the urgent need for additional
quarters for tie a-cDulnodation ~ tie
prison inmates The report will 80 into
details to show the inadequacy OF the
present buildings ln this connection 1g-
ures obtained by the members Of the
committee as fro the number of inmates I'm.
some Of the more crowded cells have
been Incorporated in the report.
The report makes % very urgent appeal
in The interest of common humanity. for
the erection at the earliest moment by
the State of additional buildings The
committee was deeply impressed. through
numerous visits to the penitentiary. with
the almost shTmeflly inadequate proyis-
Ion for the large number OF inmates.
TREATMENT OF CONVICTS.
Touching the subject Of the treatment
OF the cOnvicts by the officials OF the in
stitut'on, the report states that the off,
GERS are humane and c0nsiderate. so far
as il is possible for them 10 be IN deal
ing with so large a number Of men. the
character OF whom requires the enforce
ment OF discipline. Those in charge. ths
committee believe. DO as well az could be
done under the circumstances and with the
facilities at hand.
These are the features Of greatest
public interest. The report goes into
discussion Of other phases Of the subject.
OF course. and makes suggestions that
it Is believed viii Doc Of benefit 10 those
in authority The whole tenor Of the re-
port Is complimentary 10 the officials.
and IS a refutatiOn of charges and insln-
nations OF a d'sagroeable character that
have been made in the past But the
committee does not attempt 10 Justify
tho failure 20 provide ample accommoda-
tions In the way Of buildings for the
States large penal population.
GIVEN CARTE BLANCHE
In their investie tons tho ministers
were allowed great freedom. The Gov
ernor gave them carte blanche. and the
officials out al the renltentiarv afforded
them ample opportunity 10 investigate
any and an departments and the admins
tration thereof
The report Of the committee comes at
an opportune time. giving 20 the Cover
nor the benefits Of The ministers ipves-
legations i'm time t1 incorporate whatever
suggestions he deems advisable In con-
nection Herewith in his message 20 the
Legislature.