The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-10
low Newspapers Can Aid or Hinder Work Of Charity Organizations
DIFFER WIDELY AS TO
CONVICT ROAD SYSTEM
Northern Men Inclined to Object to Publicity but Realize
That South Faces Problem Not
Serious Elsewhere

Serious |
| Differences OF opinion as 10 the adj
visibility OF utilizing convicts III work
on the public roads developed during
la discussion In tho division of crinli-
nails III the hall of the frouse of Dele
| gates yesterday. Superintendent Nor
gan. OF the Virginia state Penitentiary.
read Il paper explaining In detail the
system now In vogue in this state,
and many OF those who took part IN
the debate held that work on the pub
| lie roads is preferable to a shop sys
| tenn where prison-made goods come
into competition with the products OF
| free labor.
From the general trend OF the re-
| marks 1t was evident that the problems
presented by penitentiary work N
Northern and Southern States differ
| sharply.
In Northern prisons the problem lies
IN the careful guarding of the profess
| sional crook, the intelligent and de-
liberate hardened criminal, whose
reformation is doubtful and whose
presence In road gang in any county
would be n menace to the community.
Here in the South. though this class
Of felon IS not unknown, the more seri-
Gus. and difficult proposition is the care
and treatment of Il large percentage
of negroes. ignorant, unlettered and
| iinpulsive. almost childish. who have
been brought to the penitentary. not
SO much by q developed criminal in
stinct. as by the lack of moral and
intellectual training. While Major
Morgan strongly advocated some form
of educational work in tho State
prison, he had to admit that the negro,
after reaching thirty years OF age. is
hardly fit subject for much Intel
| lectual development
Major Morgan Speaks.
In opening the discussion, the Vir-
ginia Superintendent said:
"The profitable and altogether salts
factory employment of criminal labor
is as yet problem but partially solved.
The predominant thought is, of course.
the reformation of the criminal. His
spiritual, mental. moral and physical
welfare should be we'll provided for in
the government OF penal institutions.
1t is needless for ME to remind you that
idleness is one of the most prolific
breeders Of crime. 1t is undoubtedly
the greatest barrier to the reformation
of the criminal, or to the betterment
of his condition. 1t naturally follows,
then. that he must work, but he should
be employed with a view to his reform
alton rather than the accumulation of
dollars from his labor.
"Where snail we employ the crimi
nal? Tie State Of Virginia answered
the question when her General Assem-
bly, enacted the Withers road
law something over two years ago.
1--WE are building to-day throughout
the State with criminal labor system
~ y, n ,s.s
sadly in need, system of roads which
will increase the value of property
and result in larger taxable values to
the State. Not only is Virginia. maxi
ing better roads, but in my opinion Is
making better men out of her criminals
who are employed in constructing
them. They are better physically be-
yond a doubt. and it is my belief that
they are better morally, because they
are worked under conditions which are
conducive to a healthy mind as well
as body. This humane, practical
method for the punishment of crime
has proven beneficial to the State and
blessing to the prisoner.
IN the Road Camps.
I'm the road camps we are working
our short term men and those SEN
fenced to confinement in the jails for
lesser crimes. The road forces are sub
iiect to the same discipline, rules and
regulations that govern the men con-
| fined within the walls of the state
prison. The prisoner is required to be
industrious, but his labor is of the
lhealthful sort which strengthens the
body ana develops the muscles He
| is taught to be Clearly in person and
Iclothing, and to keep regular hours.
He is required to be obedient and tn
Econduct himself properly at all times,
and is rewarded for it by a deduction
of four GAYS IN each month from his
sentence He labors in the open air
Instead of 4 shop. He Is removed from
Iassociation with the habitual criminal,
Serving long terms of imprisonment tor
second and third offcnses
"It IL a fact admitted by all who
have taken the trouble to Inform them
! selves. that many tails and penal IN
| situations are TO a more or less extern
! but schools for crime. The first OF
i fender is thrown in daily contact VIII
the lifelong criminal. In most OF onl
iails scant attention Is given to clean'
Illness or sanitary conditions, and less
to discipline. food clothing and the
moral welfare of the inmate
"'rhe prisoner at the expiration 81
his term comes out into the world weak
in soul and body, a moral and physi-
/ cal wreck. without will-power or me
inclination to resist the temptation tt
commit crime. In the face OF these
facts who will deny that the road can'I
is better than the Jail or felon's Gel
for the reformation OF the criminal
i Surely none will dispute that useful
Iempoyment wholesome food, clear
1 clothing sunshine and fresh air are
] important factors in directing the foot
steps OF the first offender back to ti,t
paths of virtue,
4 Long Step In Advance.
i 1--WE have worked during the past
4 two Years something over 500 criminals
u on our public highways. and we are
now locating new camps in various
!, sections of the State. Health conditions
at the camps have been excellent. only
: two deaths occurring during the per1of
: named, and those resulting from dis
eases contracted before the victims
; were placed In camp. The prisoner
Iprefers camp life 10 confinement II
lcells. They are as happy and contentet
as man may be who is deprived OF
his liberty and made to pay the penalty
u for his crimes. I do not claim per-
/, lection for our road law. 1T Is no'