Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-16
The Penitentiary Board Meet
and Receive Applications.
ACCEPTED AND REJECTED BIDS
The Fort Worth and Utica Trust Company
Chartered-CapitaI S250,000.
Basis of Apportionment of the Available
School Fund Fixed-Comptroller's
Estimate-Gone for Trip
to New Birmingham.
The Penitentiary Board.

Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN Tex, July 15.-The penitentiary
board met at 10 o'clock and Immediately
went into executive session, At IL o'clock
the doors were opened. The first question
considered was proposition from the citi-
zens of Rusk and Palestine for the con-
structiOn of standard-gauge railroad from
RuSk or New Birmingham to Palestine.
MIR. E. G. Dickinson presented the feature
of building with convict labor, to be
paid for on terms to be agreed upon
in freights when the road is completed, the
rates to be fixed by the commission, the
road to be completed in one year. or in
operation within six months from the time
it is graded and ready for ties and iron.
Mr. Lloyd had line from Fort Worth
via Palestine and Rusk to Alexandria, La,
drawn upon a Galveston News railroad
map. Mr. Dickinson would accept this line.
Mayor Wright of Palestine was ready to
be heard for that city on the united pro-
position.
The board postponed further hearing till
3p. m.
The first bid for convicts was from Laing
& Smoot. jetty contractors, Galveston. l.
To pay $40 month, the state to furnish
guards. the contractors TO furnish quarters
and feed. 2. To pay So. 80 per month, the
s ate paying for guards. feed and clothing.
The number of convicts wanted, $50 to
work in rock quarries.
Ed II. Cunningham bid SCI on the fore
going basis for 2l0 convictS for Sugar-farm
labor.
Edwin Wilson bid $3.50 and $50. He
wanted fifty for farm labor.
r. J. White bid the same for fifty for
farm work.
W. S. Watts bid the same for fifty.
K. S. Willis bid SIC, and $3.50 for sixty.
7. w. House wanted sixty at SIC, for cot
ton, and SCI for sugar.
Ball Hutchins & Co., offered SIG and $21
for $50 for cotton and sugar.
l. A Ellis offered the same for $50 for
cotton and sugar.
Mrs. A. NJ. Lewis woIld take sixty-five
at sl1. so, and $50 for fam work.
The bids We're to be considered at o. m
The bids and railroad proposition call for
1900 convictS, and the rate is q slight adj
vance.
At o'clock the board took up the rail
stated it was the disposition
of the board to encourage the
enterprise, but an investigation of the peni-
tertiary finances had impressed the board
that it is impossible at present to await
other propositions, unless the contractors
engage to pay for maintaining the convicts.
The board would be satisfied to wait for the
pay for labor to come in freights, but was
not prepared TO pay out any large sum for
the privilege of waiting.
Messrs. Floyd and Dickinson thought it
impossible TO accept the boards terms. A
general discussion took place and there ap-
pearing no probability of an agreem emit,
the matter was postponed for further con-
sideration at a meeting 10 be call ed by the
board.
Mr. Woodbridge said the board was I'M
willing to commit itself. however much in
clined to make the lease asked for at pres
eut. 1t will be better for all parties to wait
for the crop developments and financial i'm
provement.
The question of leasing convicts for farm
purposes was taken up. MIR. Woodbridge
read clause of the board on cotton plant
ers' bids, the following being accepted: A.
D. Wilson, r. J. White and Mrs. Ada
Lewis. All others were rejected, but the board
announced an ultimatum of S11 for all sugar
farming, sl6 for sugar and cotton, and $3.50
for cotton and no sugar
Col Cunningham accepted as all sugar
rates. and all followed suit and got their
quota of convicts except Ball, Hutchins &
Co, T. w. House and Laing & Smoot. whose
bids were held up for further considera-