The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-04
VIRG|NIA'S PRISON
and LEGISLATURE
lmmoraI.an Unsanitary Con-
ditionsfrom 0vercroWding.
ACTION LOOKING TO RELIEF
A Bill With Appropriation to Be
Framed by Subcommittee.
MUCH EARNEST DISCUSSION
Committees Of the Senate aud House Hold a
Joint Sesslon-The Commissions Re-
port Considered-1he States
Financial Condltlon-Mr.
KeezelI Opposed TO
Bond Issue.
MUCH EARNEST DISCUSSION

OF the conditions which obtain at the
Virginia ,,enitentiary much has been
spoken and printed in the last few months
and gears. Time and again the unsani-
tary and immoral environment OF TINS
many times overcrowded institution has
been graphically pictured before the peo-
pic of the State and their representa-
tives in Legislature and convention as
ssmbled Probably those acquainted with
the prison and the story OF the life within
Its walls have never presented the SUD
ject with more terrible simplicity ana
straightforward earnes.css than did
Representative Richmond last night
In the discussion before the joint session
of Senate Committee on Public 1nstltu-
tons and Education and the House Com
rojttee on Asylums and Prisons.
The urshot of the meeting, which was
called to consider the report OF the PEN
itentiary commission appointed a year
ago. after a public hearing and con
siderable discussion in executive session,
was the appointment of subcommittee
CT ten. four from each committee Win
The chairman of each. TO consider the
whole subject and frame bill carrying
an appropriation for the relief OF the
present situation.
EARNEST ADDRESSES.
The fact that the story was no new
sne made unnecessary any prefatoriai
;<;atcments by way OF Introduction Inc
s:,;ea kcrs, one and all, Erappled with me
central problems which confront the SlaIe
IA the conduct of the institution IN me
simplest terms and the most direct man
10 "
econ of the prison, than Whenl no o'se
mas a larger acquaintance with the NE
"a, the prison told OF the immoral anu
,t,sanitary results of crowding twelve
;,undred men into a prison built for tlrce
1aIndred. His statement made d proiouttu
Impression on the committees. Inc -.
,S.rts of committees and officials had tod
lruch. The simple direct testimony Oh
tht. surgeon of this prison tod lluch
mere of the conditions existing i'll an m
.+itution in (which Virginia cultlValeS
.n,onp twelve hundred men-fnanS Oh
7bcm Young short-tcrm men soon 10 pe
Il, ,rnod loose in counties and cities ana
towns the State over-the lowest ana
most bestial forms of deGchelies @ 'ttt'
ciiminalitS.
-rha short address of DIR. Le Cato. chair
,an ,f The Pcnitentiary Commission. was
s;mple. direct and terrible i'll its empha-
..;s and carnesness. DR.. lie Cato mas
lcen a careful student OF the prohicHl
which confronts the State. He mas ren-
dered and will render valuable service
ir this matter. as he is the chairman Oh
Tie Senate committee which mas the lli llia'-
ter in hand.
The Rev. George Cooper, the Rev. L. K.
a;ason. and the Rev. r. A. Goodwin told
~, ,,,eir ,ersonal inspection and acluaIn-
,auce with the penitentiarS. Their lin-
rnssions and rccollcctions We're very
graphic and impressive
MANY LADIES PRESENT.
Probably the most nota..e and te!iinS
feature of the meeting was the presence
OF a representative company oil the soou
women of I;ichmond who have been pro
foundly stirred on this subject. Many OIL
those present were ladies who have per-
stpai acquaintance with the condition OF
thc prison by reason of religious work,
Which they ha . conducted within Its
walls. There was a full attendance OF
members.
THE COMMISSIONS REPORT.
The report of the Commission was ilrst
read. 1t recounts the oSercrowded cohoi-
zion and recommends d new steel cell
,,iiildinS For 66S prisoners on Reivldere
Street. 10 cost about S25ooeo complete. TO
..e,.y+s ti.s sun. .t,c Comn!'Sss',e iSc9ii-
ncnds either
q. That tha Legislature appropriate
900 for two successive Years, aiie"lhs
IL, addition the use FOR this pcrioa for This
purpose the net revenues =deliNtu iteiii
The penitentiary.
To authorize the borrowing of S2oo,-
iran with the pledge Of the revenues OF the
lcnitentary annually TO its payment, au-
1horiiy for this loan be ng asked IRON tie
1onst tu;ienal Convention row In session.
The last repot Of the Board ol Dl-
,ec;ors was read showing that even AZ
fy,.A#. ,t1ntt 40
ihe State farm and also tie expense OF
Transporting criminals to and from the
prison, which is charged &c The renl-
tentisry. that institution last Year clear
cd A net profit over all expenses for the
state of S;659S.a3.
There arc 100 ,.sen in the prison in 19l
cells and the contract with the Davis
shes. Company requires the State to :';.p-
,,ly 10 f.iat company this number OF cni-
,,ioycs until the end of the contract in
ioiS Tho larger number Of the cells
measure IL I've feet ard in this space is
crowded five and six men by false CELL
Ing of berths or hunks. suspended from
The ceiling The entire absence OF venu-
lation and sewerage was dweit upon in
the commissioners and directors re-
ports. -
DR. lie Cato. the chairman OF the COM
mission. was the first speaker OF the eve
aing He thought the State was fact to face
with a crisis which should be met. For
nine years he had been acquainted With
the needs and conditions at the peniten-
tiary During that period every Cover
no, had recommended action and every
Legislature had considered some measure
~. other. Nothing had been done. Since
;her Z; committee of the Constitutional
t.ons had conducted an inSestisa-
.ion and made report OF facts which
might Well shock the State of Virginia.
,,ryf had fror,,5fJ .>r,r,,.