The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-27
AUTHORIZATIONS
IN STATE PRISON
Surgeon Discusses PeRl-
tentiary Situation.
SHAME ON THE STATE
Strong Appeal to the law-Makers to
Make Better Provision.
THE CELLS ARE OVERCROWDED
Convicts tuddied Together as No Human
Beiags Should Bc-Poor Facilities ior
Preparing Food. Which Has to Be
Gotten Without Protection from
the Weather - Authorities
Poweriess to Do Better

The horrible conditions existing in the
Virginia penitentiary we're plainly pre-
sented to the physicians OF Richmond last
night in a paper read before the Academy
of Medicine and Surgery by DR.. Charles V,
Darlington.
The meeting was held at the jefferson
and there was a good attendance. DR..
Stuart Mcclure. the president. occupied
the chair, and DR.. ". X. Mccoy was elect
ed fellow of the academy The paper
of DR.. Darlington is an exceedingly inter-
estins one and he was given the closest
attention. The fact that he is surgeon of
the peritentiary and familiar with the
conditions existing in the prison, adds
weight to his views.
Following the reading of DR.. Caring
tons paper. DE-. VIM. S. Gordon. city jail
physician, said that there was only one
difference betweeu the penitentiary and
the Jail. and that WAS the confinement OF
the insane in the latter The Legislature.
in cutting down the expense OF maintaiin-
InS the asylums. caused increase OF ey-
pense by confiuing the patients in jail.
which often caused their death. The con-
ditions We're a disgrace to the State Of Nir-
ginia and a. barbaric shame to the city of
Richmond! In concluding. he stated that
DR. Shrody. OF New York. had called at
tentio,, to the condition of the insane in
this State.
DIR. CARRINtaTON'S PAPER.
DR. Carrinstons paper is one OF such
universal interest that Tho Times prints
1t in full. 1t follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemcn:
The paper L have for your consideration
tonight should excite the keenest inter-
est in the mind OF every good citizen
ask your careful and critical attention
The proper object of a physicians care is
the alienation of physical suffering IN
every form and under all circumstances
in which it comes within the scope OF his
practice. I have during the past few
months been brought immediately in
touch with type of suffering far re-
moved from the ken of the general prac-
servation of the citizens OF this State.
though they are themselves. uncon-
sciousiy. the cause of it.
This is my apology for presenting be-
fore this body the statement of some few
facts pertaining to the existence OF
prisoners in the penitentary of Virginia.
All of them may be substantiated by abb
solute proofs. propose now TO deal with
them briefly in this paper. so that a
healthy sentiment may be aroused
throughout the State. calculated to re-
move as far possible the evils which
| they bespeak.
II is not my intention to condone the
faults-grave or otherwise-of the pTis-
| ouers: to claim one lot or title less of
punishment for them than the law wisely
determines should be theirs. or to add one
| grain of comfort more than Justice and
| humanity permit and Demand but it Is
my wish to show that the existence OF
| the prisoners in the ..penicentiary" is not
according to what justice. dictated by
| humanity and meted out by law. should
| extend to men who. having lost the right
OF citizenship, enter into n new relation
| ship with the State as wards. and have
| no means of helping themselves except
| as she dictates.
! SIN CRYING FOR VENGEANCE,
| Disease, by way of epidemic. Nils tho
! mind of every citizen with horror and
/ all. as with one accord. work toward pre-
| venting its approach. Disease: conta-
| giouS. strikes with terror. and all tha.
| science and medical stiff can do is done
| TO stamp it out. IL is quarantineG
| against: it is isolated: 1t is fought on
/, every side, and no stone is left unturnpd
| TO uproot il. Disease. compulsoriiy and
J needlessiy generated in the penitentiary
| however. is regarded with silent apathy
| and so permitted that it becomes a sin
| crying to Heaven for vengeance
| I have the honor of our State at heart
| and as one of her citizens, as well as sur
| sron TO the penitentiary. | wish to show
| that this IS so, with view to IegisIa tive
f! action-iooeinS especially toward abolish
| ing the disease last referred to-
I l keep in view in the beginning the fac
| that confinement in the penitantiarv ha;
! triple object. 1t must be punitive b,
! reason OF the rliScieeds OF the criminal