The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-01-20
Referred to the commit.


tee on Townships.
Mr.. MARTINDALE, from the committee on
Corporations, reported favorably on bill to
incorporate the GAINESVILLE and Washington
Railroad and Lumber Company.
Mr. WrNsTEAD presented report of com
mittee on the Judiciary recommending that
the bill to induce guardians to invest in the
public stocks of the State, should not pass.
Mr. WELKER presented report of special
committee to investigate the facts concerning
the purchase of the site for the Penitentiary.
The report was of great length, aud was
substantially the following effect:
The committee having visited the site selected,
and also the 5000 acres of land on the waters OF
the Cape Fear, had prepared themselves to
give an Ineligible estimate OF the site aud those
lands. They gave very favorable estimate OF
the water power near Lockville, on Deep Rive.
But did not hold the site TO be the most eligible
on the river, and thought 1t would very Much en-
nance the cost of the Penitentiary to erect 1t on
so uneven surface. They gave very unfavora-
BILE estimate of the value OF the 5000 acres 1t
being yalueless for all farming purposes, with
the exception of several small parcels. They did
not find any granite upon the land. Most Of 1t
is at distance from the river. There is iron ore
upon it of excellent quality, but of its extent
they could learn no certainty There may be
some length the inaccuracy OF the report made
by the committee who purchased the site and
land. Presented the deeds to show that they did
not secure to the State what had been pledged,
and that many things promised in the negotiation
had not been included in the deed by the grant
ors. That the State was greatly restricted in the
water power. That the boundaries in the deed for
the 000 acres are not given; that even the ioca-
ton of the land, $3.50 acres of IT'D is to be re-
ferred to arbitrators So inceterminate is il that
sl,ariH l.vv IN yyac a
the dates OF the several deeds-ot the order Tor,
and the issue of the bonds, etc. 1t Was stated
that the site was gift from the Deep River
Manufacturing Company; that in the short space
of few days the 900 acres were sold at an aver
aye OF 81 so to Deep River Manufacturing Com
pany; 81 to D. ]. Pruyn, and of S12 so per acre
to the State. That the Deep River Manufactu
ring Company cleared in bonds about S4l 900,
and D. j. Pruyn $4,000.
Mr.. SWEET moved that the report and ac-
companying documents be printed and placed
upon the calendar. .. SOS
Mr.. LAssITER wanted to know if the par
tics making the deeds had made any propo
sition to make them conform to the under
standing of the original committee.
Mr.. WELKER stated that they had made
some proposition to that effect, which, how
ever, were not satisfactory.
Mr.. LOVE said that there had been
proposition to make the deeds conform to
the understanding of the original committee,
but with condition that would cost the
State from fifteen to thirty thousand dollars.
Mr.. MARTINDALE would like to have some
member of the committee state whether o
proposition had not already been made Of
fefing to buy portion or all of the land pur-
chased by the original committee. And also
why the proposition should not be reported
by the committee
Mr.. WELKER said that many propositions
had been made, which contained conditions
which the committee could not accept, and
which had apparently been made for the
purpose of delaying the committee. Several
propositions of this kind were made, which
the committee would present if the Senate
so desired.
Mr.. WELKER rose to question of privi-
lege, thing which he had never done be-
fore He understood that it was reported
on the streets of Raleigh that he was NOV
ing in this matter because he wanted the
Penitentiary located in Greensboro. 1t was
well known that he owned no property
within ten miles of Greensboro and could
not he benefited by it if it was located
there. But he would state that it was the
unanimous opinion of the committee that
the Penitentiary should be situated some
where upon Deep River
Mr.. LOVE said the committee had not been
at Deep River three hours before they were
informed that parties would take the land
and pay the 100000; but when the propo-
sition came it was coupled with condi-
ton that this Pruyn should select an en-
gineer and the committee another, and the
two engineers another necessary who should
value the site, and deduct the amount agreed
upon from the 100000, and the land
should be taken back and the balance of
the money paid to the State.
Mr.. SWEETS motion prevailed.
Mr.. SWEET introduced resolution of in
struction to the Select Senate Committee of
Investigation on the Penitentiary, author
izlng it to continue its labors and to report
to the Senate all propositions made for the
sale of this land. and also what, in their
judgment, was the proper course to be
taken in regard to the purchase.
Unanimously adopted.
MIR. BARROW moved that message be
sent to the House inquiring what disposal
had been made of resolution passed by
the Senate making this purchase null and
void and instructing the Public Treasurer not
to issue bonds for the payment.
The motion prevailed and the message
was sent.
Bill creating mechanics and laborers
lien came up as unfinished business. After
debate and several amend
ments the bill passed its second reading.
The Scnase adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.