The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-24
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
A Short Paper Discussing Peniien-
Iiary Conditions anu Other Matters.

riary Conditions and Other Matters.
Governor Tyler,.s message was read in
both branches and ordered to be printed
1t IS a short and interesting paper. II
follows:
To the General Assembly of Virginia:
In obedience 10 the voice of the people
expressed at the polls on the 4th Thurs
day in May last, and in accordance with
= manifest desire of 4 majority of the
people of the State. You have been con-
vened IN extra session 10 arrange for
the assembling of a Constitutional Con-
Nention to remodel our organic laws.
This, duty Will, l am sure, receive your
first and most faithful attention, and the
responsibilities it imposes viii pe met
IN the same wise and patriotic man
ner which has ever characterized the rep
resentatives OF the people of Virginia.
II is not within my province to outline
the plan on which the convention should
be organized. l am sure your own con-
clusions VIII be wise and best after you
shall have given the subject due con-
sideration. 1 would only urge that the
strictest economy be exercised, and a
plan adopted which will be most economi-
cal, and at the same time consistent with
q suitable representation Of the varied
interest Of the State. l, therefore. take
the liberty Of urging as small a rep
GGSeltalOn as IN the VISION oil ttYe tItii-
eral Assembly may be deemed best. In
question, and owing to the limited time
OF your session, Will refrain from bring
ing 10 your attention only matters de-
mandinS immediate consideration.
l am glad TO inform you that the affairs
of the State are il good condition. The
reports of the various departments show
commendable devotion to duty on the part
pF affi orjs n
managers of our State institutions.
CONDITIONS AT PENITENTIARY.
Ia my last message L had the honor TO
urge the necessity Tor the enlargement
of the penitentiary- This is still d mat
Ter OF pressing Importance. and is a
subject that IS receiving q great deal of
public attention. / am aware that the
question has many perplcSities, ard calls
for deiiberation and debate. 1t is quite
probable that during the limited time of
an extra session that you may not be
able 10 give 10 this subject the attention
il deserves and | would. therefore, sug-
sest that committee be appointed TO in
yestigate the whole natter ana report
to the next session OF the legislature
what would be best to do in regard TO
the enlargement Of the penitentiary. and
IL SO on what plan. and to what extent.
I am sure II a committee would jnvesa-
gate this question, especially during the
hot sumner months, ana see The suffer
ing and Inconvenience. and danger 10
which the prisoners are exposed on ac
count of their crowded condition. they
would yield 30 the reasonable demands
of justice and report in favor OF some
Letter system for caring for these I'M
fortunate people. Quite number are
kept at the farm, all, in fact, that can
be spared from the contract under Which
those In the penitentiary are worked. bGt
il is impossible 10 relieve this congestion.
i have thought that in view OF future
contingencies that may arise, and needs
that do now exist. that it might be well
for the State to sell the present farm
and buy another somewhat nearer either
above or below the city, or else buy more
land adjacent 10 that already owned.
and that il might he best to remove the
penitentiary building. or erect more blild-
inss on the farm. If the present contract
is continued, tho farm and fhoe-sheD