The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-05
prisoners In IdIcncss.


] Prisoners In IdlcncSs. y
Captain Wilson, State Highway Conf
| missioner, told of the State Highway
| Commission and the working OF the
present convict labor law. He was
asked many questions, as was Major
Morgan, who said lie would ask for a
change allowing him to send from the
pententiary to the camps tive-year men
and under, against two-year men, UNI
der the present law. Major Morgan
also advocated change from jail sem
fences to having all men sentenced
for sixty days or more put to work on
the roads. Major Morgan said the re-
ports showed that there We're in the
city and county jais Of Virginia at
present 1,045 prisoners, and after talk
ing out those awaiting trial, the wo-
men and boys and those unfit for work,
there were still about 500 available
men loatins in jails under sentences of
sixty DAYS or more, who might be
made available assets instead of cost
ing the State from 25 to 40 cents per
head per day, to the profit Of the SER
seant or sheriff.
lie added that the sheriffs and SER
geants of the State would have a paid
lobby before the Legislature to pre-
vent any change in the law which
would take these prisoners from the
jatls.
Mr.. Wilson favored, instead OF the
building OF certain great through
highways or thoroughfares, a system
of spokcs radiating from the towns
or railroad stations using the railroad
and water lines as the trunk lines OF
communication. The statistics from
many States In all parts of the coun-
try showed, he said, that the cost of
hauling on country roads was seven
cents per tone mile over macadamized
roads, and twenty-five cents per ton
mile over dirt roads, an exhibit which
spoke for itself.
Major Morgan recommended sys-
tenn by which jailers or clerks OF courts
should be required to report at once
to the State authorities when there
were men in jail sentenced to road
terms. and stated that many sleriffs,
for their own profit, kept men week
or ten days before notifying the proper
persons, taking that much from the
time that might be utilized in road
work.
Convict Work.
Mr. Wilson showed that work had
been done by convict camps during the
past year in Norfolk, James City, Ches-
teriicld. Pittsylvania. Washington,
IbusSeIl, AIllllcESL anu AuSuStu COuIlloS,
and said that applications for convict
camps were on file from Rockbridge,
Rockingham. Orange, Culpeper, Bed
ford, Fauquier and Lee counties, but
that under the present two-year law
at the pcnitentiary. and the unwilling
ness of judges to sentence men to work
on the roads, there were not enough
convicts to so around. During the
past year 306 penitentiary convicts and
344 Jail birds" have been at work on
the roads, the railroad companies CIV
ing free transportation to men and
machinery.
Mr.. w. NJ. Rutfin, of Danville,. the
father of the present highway bill. ana
an indefatigablc worker for good roads.
showed how heavy a tax the poor roads
were on the people, giving an amusing
account OF a horse being drowned In
the mud In the middle of county road
In Pittsylvania county Mr.. Runln told
of the cost to the State and counties,
more than $i1o day for tho past forty
Years, TO support ablebodied men in idle
ness IN jails, and said there was no
obligation on the people OF the commu-
nifty to furnish criminal free food
and clothes, but that he should be
made to work and pay for his cost by
his labor.
!
rs favored a law for the collection
or me 500, 900 or more unpaid capita
lioh taxes In the state, as a basis ar
me e. necessary funds for road bill.
Ihe0 members of the State Board
present We're j. o, Boatwright OF Dan.
VIE; X. $. Crump. of Richmond; j. j.
hlis, of Portsmouth; ID. w. Sale. OF
LEnclburg; I. $. Beckwltl, Peters
burg; b, d. Quarles, of Richmond: I,
d. Semple. OF Martinsville; j. Y. VIII.
iiaips of Alexandria; Il. r. Barksdale.
or portsmouth,. u. FL. Cloves, OF Rich
nlond, Hampton Fleming. OF Richmond.
q. w. rogers of Richmond, and A.. ID,
Brockott, of Alexandria. a number az
members of Post A We're also present.
IT, NJ the close Of the discussion ma
board took action directing the legis.
! atlve#cpmmittee, with the assistance
| OF the Committe on Good Roads. "a
/ prepare a bin carrying out tile ideas
outlined, and to'urse each individual
/ post throughout the State to use II,
influence to have the biz passed by
The. legislature, the bill to be knowI
ss me ~ i. a. Good Roads BIZ"
.