The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-03-08
Subscription 81 50 Per Year, in Advance
:. 1902.
Weather forecast for Fre6.
erickS6urg and Vicinity:
Fair and lCGTmer SATURDAY..
THE PENITENTIARY AGAIN.

III tNlltN lIAkl AGAlN.
Some days ago THE FREE LAME
called upon the people to demand, of
their representatives in the Legisla-
ture, immediate action looking to-
ward the Improvement of the cOndi-
lions existing in our State Prison.
On Monday night the Joint commit
tee of the Legislature met for the
purpose of discussing ways and
means 10y which 70 relieve the terri
ble situation. Addresses were deliv-
cred by prominent Ministers and
Laymen, in each of which the awful
condition OF the Penitentiarv was
forciblv depicted The FREE Lance
noted with especial interest the ad-
dresses of Senator LeCatO and DR..
Darlington. DR. LeCatO has been for
years an honest advocate OF improve
mentS at the State Prison. and be it
said to his credit that the conditions
existing in the Penitentiary to-day
are not due TO any neglect on his
part The Doctor is a conservative,
fair-minded and honest gentleman,
and when he speaks it is always safe
to accept his statements. He knows
whereof he speaks in this particular
matter, for he has many times Off
cially and otherwise inspected the
Penitentiary, and both in private
and public utterance has condemned
the conditions existing in that insti-
tuition, with no uncertain sound.
1t is the purpose of The FREE
LANCE to keep. before the people OF
this State, this deplorable situation
until our lawmakers shall see mt 10
relieve US of its Odium. But few peo-
pie. aside from those who have visit
ed and inspected the Penitentiary
are aware of its fearful condition.
and if the press of this State will de
vote it's attention 10 the publication
of the existing facts and conditions
it will not be long before Virginia will
have gotten rid OF this terrible dis
grace. II we remember rightly
measure looking toward theimprOve-
ment OF the Penitentiary was passed
in the State Senate in 1898. but
found its death and burial in the
House. At that time both Senator
LeCatO and Senator keezell worked
very hard to have the bill adopted
bv the General Assembly but their
efforts were of no avail. The time
has come, however, when every man
in this State who has a whit Of con
science and the love Of humanity at
heart should throw his shoulder to
the wheel and assist in the speedy
adoption of such laws whereby the
Penitentiary may become decent
place for the reception OF prisoner
rather than a pest hole in which men
not only sacrifice conscience, but also
their bodies.
When Gov. Montague a few days
ago named the Penitentiary Board
for the ensuing four years, we were
inclined to believe that the day for
revelations was near at hand, for on
that committee were two prominent
newspaper men and also a practical
business man, all of whom are men
of the highest honor and integrity
Aside from this the Penitentiary
Commission is composed OF men OF
like character, and with these TWO
great probing forces the truth can
and will be heard.
1t is unnecessary for Us TO call the
attention of Messrs. Wallace and
Biscoe. or indeed ofany of the Repre-
sentatives from this section OF the
State. TO the conditions existing at
the Penitentiary, nor is it even nee
essary for us to urge them co stand
no for the right in this matter They
are both gentlemen of a high order
and we believe that when the roll il
called they will be in favor OF any
necessary improvement at the Peni-
tertiary. However, it would be well
for the people of this section to take
the trouble to drop them a line urg-
ing them to give due diligence and
~ oct;on tO this matter.