The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-10

Euford burnett Lewis and Mr.. George Bryan
The governor of Virginia was in sympathy with
the purpose of the society and did what nc
could 10 further its work.
was appointed. and for several years served
its agent. This position brought me infor-
nation about the convicts home that had
never thought Of certainly never had realized
before. | learned that frequently the convict
left at home the best of women and the most
helpless children to suffer in deepest poverty and
shame though none in the land were farther
from nreaKfng- tfe Jaws than were they.
The past five years l have been engaged in
evangelistic work. but have never been able to
get rid of some impressions made me while
l served agent of this society. | called at
tention these things then. and want to do so
again now. with the hope that some one with
influence will attempt to create an interest
among lawmakers.
l do not believe, some have suggested
that because the convict has no vote and ms
wife and children cannot vote. our lawmakers
will take no interest in him" L believe there
are numbers of men in the Legislature who will
have jast as deep interest in such a thing rs
any of rs. il the facts are brought before them
We often take from the homes in our State
man who has been good provider for his wife
and children. and place him in prison for years
This man is kind husband. good father who
has taken good care of his family as any
member of the court that sent him TO the
penitentiary, because fin violent temper, he
struck his neighbor down in the road.
No one will misunderstood me; the man must
be punished. but should the baby at the mothers
breast be punished by the State for the mans
sin? Should the woman. whose heart the man S
crime has broken have the bread taken out of
her plate and the clothes off her chifdrens
back by the State of Virginia?
This is literally what we have done for years.
There is home in of our counties where
the woman has been left with seven children:
the oldest child is thirteen. the youngest is just
thirteen months old.
There is another where the oldest child
among sixteen children. is sixteen years, and
she is girl.
Yet another case, where there are seven
children. the oldest fourteen years the youngest
twelve months old.
One more that / know about. where there
are four children the oldess eight years. the
youngest three years.
The last case of many that / may mention
is where the wife of the convict is an invalid.
do not believe it is right for the State OF Nir
GINA to pauperize these innocent women and
children when it Furnishes the man for the
sake of good citizenship. Are we not pulling
down faster than are building up in this way
Who can deny that boys made thieves. and
girls made bad through the temptations that
come with such extreme poverty and want?
1t is not only a question of we treating
the babies and women fair. hut are we treating
ourselves right when hold back the money
that the convict makes for the State in the shoe
factory. the public road, or at the State
farm? Why should not great State like ours
let the the judge decide, VINO tries the ShSe,
II the family is worthy in need of his earn
ings and, if so, send to his home what he
makes?
| will go further and say that II he does not
make anything for the State, we should. at
least, send bread and meat to the homes thus
made needy.
This may not be good craftsmanship but it is
good, hard gospel sense
GEORGE II. WILEY.
Highland Park, Richmond, Va.
7 mich add ha 7 rnn on n
white There also homes among the col
ored that deserve help.