The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-02
new PLAN HELPED
BY JAIL REPORT
Vonderlehr Workhouse Ordi-
nance Regarded as Best Place
for Prisoners.
FARM SCHEME FAVORED
Politicians Begin Guessing Con-
test as to What City
Sergeant Earns.

Great impetus has been given to the
plans of Councilman Vonderlehr for
establishing a workhouse in or near
the city for employment Of paupers
and Jail prisoners and confirmed inebri-
ates by the publication OF the report
in regard to conditions at the Rich
mond City JAIL in which attention Is
called to the fact that strapping. able
bodied negro men there rest in idle
ness at the expense of the Common
wealth.
It Is understood that the State Board
Of Charities and Correction Will short
ly make further recommendations to
the City Council on the subject, propos-
ing the establishing of city farm at
some convenient location near the city
in lieu Of the establishment of work
houses. Farm labor would not inter-
fere with the various organizations
which have announced opposition to
the Vonderlchr ordinance. and 1t is
claimed that for inebrigtes and the
shiftless element the experience of
compulsory labor in the open air would
be both healthy and profitable. and
of such an institution in healthy ideals
of honest labor. more SO than confined
work in shop or factory.
To support Itself.
Those who propose the city farm as
u substitute for the workhouse urge
that after the initial outlay 1t could
be made more than self-supporting, and
that much Of the supplies used at the
City home could be raised on. such a
plantation. The farm idea is said to
be in line with the best modern ideas
of treatment Of inebriates and the
shiftless pauper element. which now
fills the tails and almSnOuSeS
The ordinance proposed by Mr.. Won
derlehr. reported favorably by the
Council Committee on Ordinance. Char
ter and Reform, comes up before the
Council for adoption tonight II
merely instructs the City Attorney to
secure from the incoming Legislature
such amendments to section IS of the
city charter as will put in the prov
ince OF the city to establish and main
tain farms or warehouses; or both in
or near the city under sperate man
asement :rom the City Jail.
Speculate on Income.
Among those who discussed the re-
port printed yesterday on tue condition
OF the Richmond City Jail, there was
general inquiry as to the probable
income of the office OF City Sergeant.
position now held by former Alder
man John L. Satterfeld. The position
lucrative fee ONCE in the State. and is
always the cause of a hot contest at
each election. The consensus of opin-
ion among we'll informed men last
night was that the office drew in fees
about $4,000 annually. costing about
! one half of that amount for guards.
deputies and food for prisoners. max
ing the other half the net profit OF the
sergeant Under recent acts OF the
Legislature the profits of the sergeant
have been increased. as 1t WAS made
tho duty of the city. not the sergeant.
to provide bedding. utensils. coal end
many other supplies which the incum-
bent of the Office has hitherto supplied.
The current city budget provides $1,000
for the city jail legislative require
! ments." to provide for .,ems hitherto
supplied by the sergeant and exclusive
of ordinary repairs and maintenance
OF the jail property.