The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-17

river by the citizens Of Maryland and
Virginia. are from fifty to sixty miles
from Washington and Alexandria, with
When w1de stretches ean he ntsEysni ,ss
river of all impurities before the beds
are reached by the waters coming
from those two cities. But from time
to time reports are put In circulation
that these beds are affected by the
sewage OF the two cities. Whether
! these reports are true or false the
eject upon great industry Is the
same. and this although just as soon
as there is the slightest reasona BILE
ground for believing that our oysters
are not absolutely healthy the beds
/ from which they are taken are at
once closed by our efficient commits
sioner with my approval. We cannot
risk even suspicion where so much is
involved to our tongers and those OF
a sister State, and steps should be at
once taken which will once for all
put the matter at rest. /, therefore
recommend that our commission of
fisheries be directed by the general
assembly to ascertain conditions at
Alexandria. and at the garbage reduc-
ton plant at Cherry Hill. which l am
Informed deals with garbage, and per-
haps sewage from Washington, and
which is private corporation within
and amenabe to the laws of the
state of Virginia The general as
sembly should at this session enact
laws which will prevent possible po-
luton of the Potomac river, and pre-
serve our oysters even from suspicion
Penitentiary.
The report of the board control
ling this institution will show that
II has been well managed, and that
the farm has yielded very large net
profit. A diningroom has been built
at the penitentiary which is proving
a source of profit to the State and
comfort to the convicts. Before 1t
was built a certain quantity OF food.
gagged by the most exacting appe-
lite, was allowed To each convict, and
as many could not eat the supply fur
nished, there was considerable waste.
Now each convict Is given as much
as he wants. and II ne holds up his
hand he is helped again and again,
until he Is satisfied, but the quantity
OF food prepared Is much smaller than
under the old plan
There are twenty-eight camps OF
eonvicts and jailmen now at work
on the puglic roads, in as many coun-
tiles, composed Of about eleven hundred
and fifty convicts, and four hundred
and fifty 1ailmen, and two more camps
viii probably be put out during 1914.
The convicts are doing excellent work,
and their health is good. In conse-
quence Of the number Of road camps
the superintendent and employees at
the penitentiary are compelled to do
a great deal more work than former
ly, for which additional compensation
should, in justice, be allowed.
Since the last session OF your body
the contract with the Davis Shoe COM
pany has expired. and 1t not having
been found practicable to work the
convicts by the State, and the super
intendent OF the penitentiary being of
opinion that on account of physical
condition, character or disposition 1t
would be unsafe to put on the convict
road force certain prisoners. five
Numbered of them were, under the pro-
visions of an act approved February
1873, 1912, leased to the Star Clothing
| Manufacturing company for a term of
I five years, at the price of eighty-five
cents day for the men, and fifty
cents for the women. This lease was
made by the superintendent and board
of directors of the penitentiary. with
the approval of the governor and the
secretary OF the State board OF char
titles and corrections. AS the amount
received under the present contract
Is more than double for the men, and
eighteen cents a day more for the
women than under the contract with
the Davis Shoe company, and as a
very much smaller number of con-
yicts win have to be cared for at the
benitentiary. II is reasonably certain
that at the end OF the fiscal year the
board will be able to turn into the
treasury at least thirty thousand dol
lars.
The convicts in our penitentiary are
| well and kindly treated: the disci-
| pline is maintained with as little pun
lshment 'as possible, and the board and
| officers Of the institution are to be
/ commended.
II seems to me. however. that the
| time has come when a distinct for
ward movement In the interest Of
reformation should be made in addi-
ton to the agencies now employed for
that purpose, and I recommend the
establishment OF an evening or night
school. In which shall be taught the
hihle and such elementary branches
and studies as will promote mental
| training. and produce that pride and
self-respect which are necessary ele-
ments in character. and thus fit these
people who have broken the law, but