The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-22
THE DEMOCRAT ENDORSED.
A BERTHE MAN SPEAKS THROUGH TIE
NEWS AND OBSERVER.
r. Of the News and Observer.

WINDSOR. May u, 1890.
M. EDITOR: l have noticed
several editorials in the Scotland
Neck DEM0cEAT IN regard to the
low lands lying on the Roanoke
River. Since they have appeared
[ have cOnvcrsed with citizens OF
all the counties lying on the Roam
okp. and all ofthem heartily endorse
the position taken by the DEMO
GRAFT, This is a great and mOmen-
tous question to these counties. 1t
IS almost a question of life and
death, riches or poverty, plenteous-
ness or famine. Those lands are
now almost a perfect waste. Moth
ing grows on them except weeds,
grass and small bushes. They are
capable of producing millions OF
bushels Of corn if they were props
erlg damned up so that the waters
of the Roanoke could not reach
them. The cOnvicts from the
counties Of BERTHE. Northampton,
Martin and Halifax, were they
given to these counties to work
could. in a short time. build wall
long enough and strong enough to
keep the R0anoke's treshets out.
It would be a great aud gigantic
undertaking. but 1t could be done.
ana N a few years the wealth
arising from the large cr@p5 would
greatly increase the wealth Of these
people, add much to the revenues
OF the State, besides giving much
labor to many Idle people and make
corn DlenteOus 10 the people Of this
section of the State. This land viii
| produce on an average twelve
! barrels, or sixty bushels of corr
per acre. with the labor that il
takes to produce one in other parts
of the State. That same land vii
plOduce sixty bushels OF wheat pei
acre, and has been known to pro
duce sixty bushels of wheat pei
acre. and has been known to pro
duce eighteen hundred pounds O.
seed cotton per acre, and that, too
with bot little labor and no manure
These counties send more cOnvictS
to the State penitentiary than any
other four in the State that are as
closely Joined together as they are
Why should not those counties
receive some benefit from THEN
cODNicts? Why should they be
sent west and other points to build
railroads when they are needed al
home to help build up the homes
and improve the lands Of those
whom they have depTedated upon:
These counties pay the whole cost
Of their conviction. their board il
jail and all their expenses unit
they are sentenced to the State
! penitentiary. This is quite al
item Of the expenses of these coun
ties. These four counties average
two thousand dollars each year fol
the conviction of criminals whict
they get no benefit from. NThIlt
if they were used for this purpose
the State would eventually derive
more benefit from their work than
they now DO, and those cOuntIe!
would be more than reimbursed fOl
the money they have thrown away
in having them convicted. The
next Legislature will confer a grea
benefit upon the future prospect!
of. and a greater benefit to these
counties mentioned if they Will pas!
an act giving to these counties, t
Be employed in damiDg I'D tLl
banks OF the Roanoke River. al
/ persons who are convicted OF am
offence which is punishable b,
being confined at hard labor IN Jll
ponltentiary, Suitable acts FL
their safe keeping, &c, cau also bl