Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-09
ON TICKET OF LEAVE.
MANY MEN IN VIRGINIA ARE ONLY
CONDITIONALLY FREE.
THE new SYSTEM OF PARDONS.
Many Prisoners Sent Home to Re-
main During Good Behavior-Tbeir
Prison Records Must BE Good to
Get Out.

IL is an old saying that many men are
In the penitentiary who ought not to be
there. and that many are free who should
be wearing the convicts stripes.
The last Legislature seems to have
conditional-pardon law, and the opera
ton of that law has made the last in
sense true in Virginia.
Large numbers of men, white and
black, scattered all over The State. are
out of the penltentiary on conditional
pardons. They are free. just as free as
any American citizen. That is, they are
free as long as they live within the law.
But a violation of any law will land
them in prison again, TO serve out the
balance of the term to which they were
originally sentenced.
The Board OF Directors OF the penlten-
tiary has To pass upon every application
for a conditional pardon. The Governor
grants the pardon. of course. He very
rarely disregards tho recommendation
OF the board. If the board says pardon,
a pardon is issued. If the board says no
pardon, the applicant had as well make
up his mind 70 serve awhile longer, If
not for the rest of his term.
The term for which a prisoner was
sent Up must be half expired before ne
can apply for pardon. The convict gen
orally comes 10 the Office of the Superin-
tendent on the very day half his term is
nded and asks for paper upon which to
write letter to begin the movement for
ticket of leave.
He does not always get the paper. for
In order to obtain conditional pardon a
prisoner must be perfect in conduct. A
single violation of the prison regulations
is fatal to his hopes
JUST ONE CRAP GAME.
The writer was seated in the office of
Superintendent Helm at the penltentiary
n few days ago when a cOlored convict
came up TO the window and tapped on
the glass. Mr.. Kemper, one OF Mr.
Helms office assistants went TO the win
dow, and asked the negro what he want
ed. He replied that he wished paper.
as he was going TO apply for a conditional
pardon. He told Mr.. kemper his name
was Finley Hairston.
wait minute said Mr.. Kemper,
and he stepped TO the desk and taking
down big folio began turning the pages.
He found Finley's name and ran his
finger out the line upon which the con-
Yict's prison record was extended He
closed the book with a bang and came
back to the window outside which the
convict was waiting. Mr. Kemper was
shaking his head.
mo paper, Finley" he said, not I'M
kindly. Don't you remember Mr.. Lynn
having you whipped for shooting craps
four years ago?'
The negro half turned away. He stood
for half a minute. apparently in deep
thought. The expression on his face was
a study Blank disappointment was what
one read most plainly. He was in a place
where transgressions are never forgotten
The negro walked back across the court
yard with the most hopeless air that
could be imagined. Another six years
and a half he must remain In his prison.
He is i'm a place where time never flies.
Many changes can occur in six years.
Finley may be suing for pardon before
the Supreme Court OF the universe before
they are passed.
The prisoner who applies for a pardon
must show 20 the board that there iS
reasonable prospect of his obtaining work
when liberated. He generally begins the
movement for pardon by writing to
somebody he knew when free, asking for
work. When a favorable reply Is received
he makes his application TO the board.
THE FORM OF PARDON.
The following IS the form OF the con-
ditiOnal pardon:
Commonwealth OF Virginia.
To All to Whom these Presents Shall
Constructing:
Whereas. at a court, held In
and for the county Tor city, Of -----. in
the month of --, in the year is-,
was convicted of --. and was
thereuDon sentenced 10 be imprisoned in
the penitentiary for the term of ----,
and whereas IL appears 20 the Execu-
tive that he Is III subject for clemency:
Therefore. /, J. Hoge Tyler. Governor
of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have
by virtue OF authority vested in ne
under the Act OF Assembly, approved
March g. 1895. and upon the recommen-
datIon OF the Board OF Directors OF the
penltentiary. pardoned. and do hereby
pardon, the said , and do order
that he be forthwith discharged from i'm
prisOnment. but upon the conditions fol-
lowing-namely:
That the said - VIII conduct aim
self In the future as a good. law-abiding
citizen. IL ever again found guilty OF a
violation OF the penal laws OF the Com
Inonwealth. this pardon shall be null
and void. and he shall be arrested by any
officer OF the Commonwealth az a fugi-
tive from justice and conveyed 10 the
said penitentiary. and the superintendent
OF the Pententiary is hereby directed 10
receive him. the said -. into the
penitentlary aforesaid. and him safely
keep nnfii hs shall have served the re-