The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-08
CHARITIES
CONFERENCE
Interesting Report Submitted
by DR.. DreWry.
ABLE ADDRESSES MADE
William II. Allen Scores the Giving of
Aims to the Individual Vagrant,
Which He Says an Evil Which
Should Be Corrected.
ABLE ADDRESSES MADE
Try Associated rress.)


days session OF the National Conference
of Charities and Corrections was opened
to-day with an invocation by Bishop Ben
jamin j. Kelley, of savannah, Ga. Inc
general schedule of the day was county
and municipal institutions, outdoor re-
lief and vagrance."
DREWRY'S REPORT.
Dr. Drewry, Superintendent OF the Cen
trail State Hospital at Petersburg, Va,
submitted the following report:
II respectfully submit the following re-
port regarding the public charities and
corrections of Virginia, combining myself
to the subjects embraced IN your recent
letter. Wiz
ii, Progress made during the last year:
ya) New or proposed legislation; (b) New
or proposed institutions-State county or
municipal.
70. The present needs of the State as
regards institutions and legislation.
"3. The public sentiment as regards
the work of charities and correction In the
State; what has been done to stimulate
it, how has 1t been made manifest; now
can It be further increased and strength
ened?
II (a) The Legislature now in extra
session has enacted laws Qn conformity
with the provisions of the new Constt.l-
tom regulating the management OF .tne
hospitals for the insane and Of the peni-
W
life wherever needed, in these institution
and keep them on as high plane OF ex-
celIency ms possible. Each hospital ls
now under the Immediate control OF
sneclal board, composed of three members
and the special boards OF the several nos-
initials -four in number, three lot WHITES
and one for negroes) constitute selie. "a,
1,nard which has supervision over all
the HOSPITALS and shapes and directs the
..aI,,,, ~ mana gemelt. which promises to
be OF a progressive nature.
..There Is also a commissioner OF nos
nitals. whose duty 1t Is to examine
monthly the books and accounts or the
several institutions, establish ana 1nalh-
tain Uniform system Of bookkeeping
nra see that all funds appropriated for
maintenance are expended in the manner
and for the purposes prescribed by the
r Legislature. The term of The commas
sfoner is four and that OF each director
six years. Formerly the terms OF the al.
rectors were three years. The terms OIL
superintendents and other officers nave
heen heightened from two TO four years.
The general board appoints the supern-
tendents: the several special boards APP
point the other officers. and the super
intendents appoint all other employees OF
the respective institution.
..The bill provides for the care In the
hospitals OF what Is generally termed
harmless and Senlle dement's.
THE CRIMINAL INSANE
az most excellent feature of the Few
statute is that one which provides that
..jf any person convicted of crime and
sentenced to confinement In the State
penitentiary become insane during the
term for which he has been convicted and
sentenced, he shall BE- confined and treat
ed in a special ward in the State peni-
Tertiary. to be set aside and reserved 1or
such insane criminals.
'The new Constitution and the revised
statute provide for the appointment by
the Governor OF a board of five direc-
tors. with term Of five years EACH to
manage the state penitentiary. appoint
the superintendent, physician. etc. For
@rnerly tho board of directors was COM
posed Of three persons. the superintendent
was elected by the Legislature and the
physician was appointed by the Governor.
Under the new law the superintendent
appoints all tho assistants, guards. etc.
Excellent business men have been So
lected by the Governor TO control and
direct the management OF the hospitals
and the paaitentiary.
1.-THE habitual drunkard came In for
consideration at the hands OF the Leg
islature Under certain conditions and re-
strictions. he may be committed for four
months or longer, to the care and control
OF a private institution.
"(b) No new State institution has been
esta blished, but considerable improve
ments have been made at nearly all the
existing ones.
THE penitentiary has received specia!
attention on the part of the State gov.
ernment. A large building designed anG
constructed on modern up-to-date plans
Is In course Of erection. The cost will ht
about 100000. 1t Will be credit to The
State.
NEW BUILDINGS.
'Tn place OF the building at the Eastern
State Hosital, which was destroyed by
fire in January, 1892, a magnificent struc
ture. thoroughly equipped In every partic
ular, has been completed. Now Virginia
has accommodations at her hospitals t
care for all her insane.
I'm Richmond city and in few OF tn.
counties, new modern fails have beer
erected; but In many OF the counties TN
jails and poorhouses arc no, at all cred
liable to this great State and her nobI
people.
20 State institutions are special,
needed for three classes epileptics, tn
f.eble-minded. and the colored deaf, dun
and blind For number of years effort
have been made to have established
colony for epileptics and there is stron
sentiment in the State favorable TO
Interest in the matter has by no NEAR
waned. There Is n crying need for Sta
care and supervision OF idiots and Il
feeble-minded. At present there is /
school. asylum or other place provide
in the State for these unfortunates.
THE State has not yet made any pr
vision for the education of the colort
deaf dumb and blind children, thoue
a bill was introduced In the Legislatu
last winter looking to the establishme
OF such a school.
THE most important legislation need
IS that to establish and provide for
State Board OF Charities, to inspect al
report upon the condition and needs
al charitable and penal institutions
State, county and municipal, Earnest G
forts are being made by the State Co
ference of Charities and Correction al
number OF lovers OF mankind who b
lieve in lifting up their fellowmen.
bring about a State Board of Charlie
Progress is being made in that directio
and ultimate success will result
"3. There has been considerable iHte
est manifested in charities and correct
throughout the State by local benevole
organization a widespread public sen
= IL