The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-05-05
CONVICT WHIP TO
BE DISCONTINUED
Superintendent Believes Time
Barrel and Lash" Methods
Should Be Superseded by
More Humane System.
Working Well.
RICHMON

X I II N ~ n ID, VA. - Special. -
1t is the purpose Of Superintendent
>. b. Wood, the head of the Virginia
penitentiary, to manage his convict
wards, as far as possible, by kindness,
and to do all in his power to have
them leave him as reformed men
rather than incorrigible criminals.
There is an old adage which says
but Mr.. Wood. however often he may
have written il in his copy-book when
a boy, does not think il should be
made TO apply 20 offending convicts
who break the prison rules.
In other words, IL is his intention
TO do away with fiogging as a pun
ishment. Hereafter this form of dis
cipline Will be seldom resorted to
save in aggravated cases.
1t is an open secret that the cat O.
nine tails-or' more strictly speaking,
big leather strap-has worked over
time in days agone at the peniten-
tiary.
And it is not denied that this punt
tive medicine has served an excellent
purpose i'm some cases. but there are
many who believe that the scourging
was carried 10 an unjustifiable extent
The records of other administra-
tons tell an unpleasant story of bar
rel and lash methods. In one mans
regime, the total OF hoggings for a
single month was 1855, while Mr.
duced the total to four.
Some Pretty Rough Chaps.
In justice to the present superin-
tendents predecessors, il must be said
that there were officers who thought
1t absolutely impossible to do away
with the whipping. They had to deal
with the worst classes of criminals
some of whom were little better than
brutes and so vicious that nothing but
pnrnnrQol fcl,
in check.
Mr.. Wood, however, thought the ex-
pertinent OF more lenient methods was
worth trying. And il can truly bc
said that it has succeeded beyond his
most sanguine expectations. The dis
cipline today is just as good as il ever
was at the prison and everybody
breatheS easier.
Offenders now are punished by iso-
lation in detention cells and the more
pugnacious felons are segregated from
the others. Where there is nobody TO
night, they, OF course, cannot exercise
their bellicose propensities.'
Apropos of the fighters il should be
SAID that they have always been at
their worst on Sundays. This has
been due to the fact that the men
have little to do that day, and. as they
mingle together freely, they often find
reasons to quarrel. But since the new
system has been inaugurated, the Sab
baths at the penitentiary have been
more peaceful than ever before.
Mr.. Woods course is being wide
ly commended, and the more humane
methods he has adopted are not likely
to be followed by reversion to the
system which prevailed so long.
The present superintendent, who
was elected to fill the unexpired term
OF the late Evan +. Morgan, even if
not reelected, will have nearly two
years more in office-an of this wear
and all of 1911.
When he was chosen by the prison
board he was himself a member of
that body, and many criticisms were
heard. While there was no law against
TINS procedure it was cenSured ouite
vigorously in certain quarters. Rnt
none can deny that the present SUPER
lntendent is making a good record
and that his administration thus far
has proved eminently successful.
RetaliatOry Measures.
Following the complaints about the
eIection of Mr.. Wood-or, rather, the
own number MISUNDERSTANDING point
was raised that Richmond was too
sn 9sf aSaf IN e. the matter Of public offices
made to get the Iegislat nn e To pas Was
of such acts. This e effort fa TifHPSetition
governor Mann, however. Indirectly
LOOK LOOK Go, cognizance Of the matter by ap-
the board as soon as vacancies occur
req These non-residents are J. M
Morrls' or blackstone, and f. Gerald
Stratton, OF Petersburg.
- UP to that time, all the members OF
the board had been chosen from men
Some curiosity is felt as to the fate
or MT. Wood when he comes up for re-
election In January, 1912 A few
months ago 1t might have been pre-
dicted that he would be a dead-sure
loser, but the contrary opinion now is
entertained. In fact, IL seems pretty
wei understood that II his record con-
tinues good, he will be reelected with |
out trouble.
Mr. Wood haG always been an en-
thusiastic supporter OF Governor Mann |
and enjoys the full confidence of the |
executive. The action OF the latter |
N naming two non-residents as mem
)ers or the board was in no way meant |
Is a slap at the encumbent.