The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-12
PRISON NOT
= : FULL OF "HORRORS''
ICHM oND.V A-Special.-

r c II M o N ID, V A-Special-
AS an example Of yellow journal
ism and Of the perils OF intrusting a
green young man with n typewriter
and ambitious for a sensation access
TO newspaper columns the story from
the Richmond News Leader regarding
the State Penitentiary is instructive.
Careful reading will show that the
occurred or existed, were ended years
back. The writer of the article, either
through confusion in his own mind
or Intentionally, Jumbles past and
present together SO thoroughly that IL
is hard TO fix any time for the condi-
tons OF which he tells. Careless or
hasty reading will cause the impress
sion that frightful cruelties prevailed
in the State Penitentiary until within
the last year. Consequently, the pub
lie would be led to condemn the State
government. Worse than that, IL
would be led to do serious injustice
to a dead man, the late Superinten-
dent Morgan. one of the most hui
name of men and capable officials.
1t is peculiarly Inappropriate that
so much ignorance of penitentiary
matters should be manifested through
the columns of the News Leader.
That newspaper was the first in the
State of Virginia to take up the ques-
ton OF penitentiary reform. Through
many editorial columns il battled and
protested, demanding the changes
WHICH nave come ABOUT.
1t happens that the writer of this
was one of the organizers and several
years the president of a society form
ed TO care for eX-prisoners, men who
had served their sentences and were
thrown on the world friendless This
society came in intimate contact with
the convicts. It's agents, first the
Rev. George II. Wiley and now the
Rev. G. +. Williams, and the secre-
tary of the colored Young Mems
! Christian a.,
free access TO the convicts a month
before the time for release and op-
portunity at all times to observe all
the inner workings of the prison. 1t
mao tull opportunity through the con-
NlcIS TO Know exactly what went on
there These convicts were of all
grades of intelligence and all Varie-
ties OF Character. 1t is a fact that
within the last five years few of them
have made any complaint Of cOndi-
tons in the prison or of their treat
ment. The News Leader by its at
tacks on the cruelties once practiced
there not only did much toward end
ing them, but brought on itself libel
suits and threats from some of the
guards whose conduct il rebuked. In
one instance, against its own judg-
ment but under advice of counsel. il
compromised a $50, 600 libel suit for
SZ'9Oo' therefore. of all newspapers
in the State for the News Leader to
exhibit such ignorance and confusion
regarding facts is most astonishing.
Nine years ago conditions in the
penitentiary were bad. The institu-
ton was being operated under an oil,
system. The troubles were not 5,
much the fault of the management
as of the State itself. The equipment
were poor and obsolete, the buildings
were Inadequate. political influence
and considerations were everywhere.
The prisoners were crowded ane
packed in coils hanurrca
not cells enough and the prison wa,
run in great measure by the guards
Mrs. Landon r. Mason and DR..
Charles V. Darlington, OF Richmond
were the first to begin strong agita-
ton Tor reforms. Because OF their
fearless and persistent efforts and ut
terances, some of the newspapers be
came interested and the matter was
urged on the attention of the Off
ci3lS and the Legislature. Since then
conditions have improved constantly.
ear after year the buildings have
been enlarged and additions have
been made as the State finances would
permit Many people IN and around
edmond have taken active part iu
promoting the physical and moral !
welfare OF the convicts in the prison. /
at the farm and after their release
or parole. Under Captain Morgan's
administration punishments were reg
ulated carefully and care was taken
that they should not be cruel or ex-
cessiVe. AS TO the Thacker Shoe Com
pany, which has the contract with the
State for use OF the cOnvicts in max
irg Shoes IL is fact that Mr.. Thack-
er, of Boston, of that company. is tho
most liberal contributor to both the
white and colored branches Of the So
ciety which cares for and protects,
the eN-conVict. II Is hardly reason
able 10 suppose that man who Grip
pies ana perSecuteS prisoners to pre-
vent their release and to hold them
TO work for him would give money
to bring his former employees into
close contact with Intelligent and help
ful people. Yet on the authority, Of
one of the most desperate and cum
ming criminals the State ever hos
known, not only is dead man malign-
ed, but this living man is accused OF
the most frightful and sordid cruclt
human mind can conceive
There is no question of the guilt
OF Morganfield, the convict on whose
! evidence this flaring story is based
! Yet he begins his narrative by pro-
claiming his innocence and present
ing himself as a prosecuted martVr
bounded by the police. The truth
the police are very kind to the ex-
convict and cooperate heartily in the
work of helping him to help himself.
HIS motive in telling the story is
made plain by his announcement that
he VIII take the lecture platform and
expose the horrors OF the Virginia
! Penitentiary. 1t is a wonder to ms
that even the green est of reporters
should allow himself to be used for
purpose so transparent and by so
plain trick. MOrganfeld evidently
is just as vicious and vindictive as he
was the day he went into prison and
| a reputable newspaper has permitted
itself TO be used as the means for
venting the long cbSRSssnSa. MIA osi-
! ties and resentme
| thoritieS and sOcl -,
tise the proposed
| eran criminal.
| the penitentia III
I OF the year.