The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-19
CounciImen are Astonished at the
Condition Of the Old Structure.
MUCH TALK, BUT NO ACTION.
Resolution Laid on tho Table Until the
Next oIsctinG-Proposition to Dc
nate So,Goe for the Galveston
Sufferers is Rejected Owing
to Fact That it Was He
gal-Oti,cr Business.

For the first time in years the Council
Committee on FINANCE has admitted that
something must be done in the matter Of
providing a new jail Judge Wits rule,
summoning the members of the City Coun-
Gil to appear before him in the Hastings
Court to show cause why they should not
build a jail, probably has had something
to do with the attitude il which the mem
bers Of the Finance Committee find them
selves ard will, their views upon this
subject
Yesterday afternoon the Committee on
Finance visited: and examined the old
iail and were shown all its defects and
Weaknesses. including the wooden key
with which Topeka joe recently made
his marvellous escape. Every member OF
of the committee was on hand and the tour
or inspection proved a revelation to several
of the committeeman. Many of the Coun-
cilmen had never been in Jail before and
they had no conception of what Judge
Wits recent order might mean until they
went into the foul corridors and the dark,
oppressive cells, where the city'S prisoners
are kept. Every nook and corner of the
Jail was visited and inspected, except those
four cells that have been unfit for occu-
pancy so long that the hinges and locks
have rusted. and to which an entrance
could only be found by the use Of dyna-
mite.
The committee was shown through the
prison by City Sergeant James c. Smith
and Deputy Sergeant ''Bucl" Johnston,
while Assistant City Engineer s. e. Bates
was along representing the engineers
office. There was an informal discussion
as the examination proceeded. The ex-
pediency of repairing the old Jail was
talked over, and there was all sorts Of
chit chat about jails and the cost of
iails.
ACsriCES D4sr,EkI,ED.
Last night at Socock the Finance Com
1nittee met in the Office Of City Auditor
Warren to take action on the Jail matter.
After nearly three hours, of discussion
the committee laid the question on the
table until the next regular meeting. by
which time it is expected that plans for a
jail will be forthcoming from the office OF
city engineer. in the discussion last night,
it was conceded that a new prison must
be built and at once. Col. CutShaw gave
his View on the jail question and others
We're heard. Several members OF The COM
nittce expressed themselves as in favor
of erecting the jail on the site OF the cid
structure, thus saving the Seabrock ware
house property. which is much more
valuable for other purposes The impress
sion is that by using the Old site new
building adequate for all the demands of
Richmond Tor the next fifty years can be
put up for about $4,000 to S.5000. The
committee felt that the matter was Of
such vast Importance that it could we'll
afford to defer action for a short time.
The resolution offered in the Common
Council by AIr. Joseph Wallerstein APP
propriatng S2.oG0 for the Galveston suf-
ferers, was considered by the committee.
Its rejection was urged on account Of the
fact that the city cannot legally give the
money.