The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-19

Democrats. They carried out their eau
Gus instructions to the letter.
All the members of the Board were
present at the meeting yesterday after
noon and last night. The session last
night lasted from to u o'clock. 1t was
quiet and harmonious. Capt. Smith had
already been brought to terms and hum
bly, promised to do just what the Board
might instruct.
The cause for this, no doubt, was part
ly that the report was last night freely
circulated that the superintendent would
he impeached and turned out of office.
And there seems to have been some
ground for the rumOr. asked one
prominent member of the Board what
there was in the rumor.
'"The Board cannot turn him out of
office" he said, "but the Governor can.
All we can do is to prefer charges and
ask the Governor to remove him. don't
know whether this wiz he done or not
I've heard something of the kind spoken
of. but I don't think it will be done.
Capt. Smith says he will do whatever the
Board directs"
SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT.
The following is the report Of Supt.
Smith, laid before the Board yesterday
afternoon Immediately after it met. 1t
shows the condition of the penitentiary,
covering the entire period of the present
administration:
Raleigh, n. c., Aug. II, 1897.
To the honorable Board of Directors:
Gentlemen: l have the honor to sub
NIT the following report for your exami-
nation and considerations
On taking charge of the penitentiary
l found everything in a state of uncer-
tainty, owing to the change of admins
tration. Although / was sworn in as
superintendent about March first, still
| did not really assume full RESPONSE
bility until April first, and this report is
made out from that date
Realizing the magnitude of the work,
and the great responsibility resting upon
new man, felt that it was almost i'm
possible to carry on the work success
fully without the aid of some expert
enced subordinate officers, so | asked
your honorable Board to continue the
warden and book-keeper at the peni-
Tertiary and the supervisors and over
seers on the Roanoke farms until Sep
tember list. You complied with my re-
quest, for which accept my sincere
thanks.
found the prison in not so good con-
dition as l had expected. The follow
ing is the financial statement:
Balance in treasury April /. 1897, 81
1920; balance in bank April 1, 1897,
81 1919; balance in drawer April J.,
1897, $107.95; cotton on Roanoke, which
has since been sold for 5,02206; total,
$20,674.40.
We had due at that time March bills
contracted by the former superintendent
unpaid, $12 ,533.47, leather bill contract
ed by former superintendent, $1,5OO.OO;
total, $14,033.47; balance, $6,64093.
We were seriously handicapped on ac-
count of not having any corn or forage
on the Roanoke, and very little at An
son farm, though we had 400 head of
stock and several hundred hogs to
| feed.
Notwithstanding these disadvantages,
we have managed to keep our monthly
expenses about the same as previous
months.
We have planted at Caledonia 1900
acres of cotton, $500 acres corn, 100
acres peas, 100 acres oats, rs acres
wheat and 10 acres in clover.
At Northampton 1000 acres cotton,
1000 acres corn, and 400 acres peas.
At Halifax 500 acres cotton, 1,400
acres corn, 400 acres peas, and 30 acres
in peanuts.
At Arson LOO acres cotton, 400
acres corn, 200 acres peas.
We have established a new camp at
Castle Hayne for the mining of phos-
phate, and have planted there 200 acres
peas, and 100 acres corn.
We have made a contract with w.
G. Petty for the building of nine miles
of railroad in Moore county; have placed
Capt. w. J. Bradshaw in charge with
1877 convicts, and the work is progress
ing finely. Five miles of the work will
be completed about September /, 1897
From the earnings we will realize about
$4,000.
Have made a contract with II. J
Ham for 40 convicts to work ON grading
at Seven Springs, Maj. ]. II. McIveI
in charge.
Have made contract with Mr.. Wade
to build 111a miles of railroad for the
Atlantic Coast Line in Robson and
New Hanover counties.
We have made at penitentiary 1925,
600 brick.
We have completed and finished the
entire first and second floors of the AID
ministration building, which has great
ly added to the appearance and comfort
of the prison.
We have fitted up suitable quarters
for the criminal insane and have then
here in the prison under the management
of DR.. Kirby.
We have had the water pipes at the
penitentiary painted.
We have bought new engine al
penitentiary brickyard.
Have built a saw mill, cotton gin anC
grist mill at Arson farm.
Have bought 40 horses and mules fol
farms.
The horses, mules, hogs, and cattle
are in fine condition.
We have religious services at all the
camps every Sunday.
We have deposited in treasury since
April l, $50, 1851.
We estimate that without accident
we can reasonably expect to make 100.