The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-22
THE GOVERNORS LETTER.
state of North Carolina,
Executive Department,

I Ell. Winder to take the convict labor OF
the States prison and pay all expenses,
in consideration of receiving all the pro-
ducts of the convict labor, seems to be
bona fde; and with proper amendments,
so as to bring it strictly within the con-
stitution and statutes and to conform to
what ought to be indispensable require
ments, should be accepted, unless better
offer is made after due publication.
1t is submitted to you that these inds-
pensable requirements, or some Of them,
are as follows:
/. That the control and custody of all
the conyicts must remain with the agents
of the State.
2. That all rules and regulations con-
corning the management and internal
police Of the institution must remain
with the superintendent and board of
directors.
3. That the convicts shall be at all
times under the supervision and control,
as to their government and discipline, of
the penitentiary board and of the super
intendent and of such agents or officers
as may be named by the board, to whom
such officers and agents shall be respon-
sible; and that no punishment shall be in
sponsble officers. This, of course. would
include the appointment or employment
by the board or superintendent of all
guards.
a. The salary of the superintendent
and the clerk of the States prison should
be paid by the contractor.
s. The powers Of tire Governor and the
board of directors To make Investigations
as to any matters concerning the institu-
ton or the conduct of persons connected
with it's management and the powers of
inspection by the board and by the joint
committee of the General Assembly must
remain as they are by existing law.
g. The contractor should be required
to keep in good repair all the buildings and
structures and fixtures at the central
prison at Raleigh.
z. A bond with unquestionable securi-
ty in sum Of not less than fifty thou
sand dollars, conditioned for the faithful
performance of the contract. should be
required of the contracting party.
8. PROPOSALS. hereafter made upon due
publication. either by Mr.. Windcr or hy
any other person. should be accomnanied
nv a deposit of three thousand dollars in
the way Of earnest money, to be forfeited
upon the failure Of the party to comply
with his proposal If accepted.
0. The feeding. clothing and housing
of the convicts should he controlled. regu-
lated and prescribed hv the superintend-
emf, subject to the direction of your
board.
Upon the conditions above indicated
and perhaps such others as your board in
its wisdom may require. | respectfully
urge that Won give ont the contract for
+he purroee Of saving the State further
exnense in maintaining this institution
This Mr. Winder is understood to propose
TO do: and il is submitted to you that
upon his compliance with the proper re-
ouirements he should have the contract
unless other parties will make better
offer. sAEs - 9SE~ 4AsFA
: You viii observe that Mr.. Winder does
not include in his proposal the Anson
county plantation. 1t seems that he is
not willing to pay the very high rent that
was contracted to he paid for this prop
erty nv the former board IF he or Others
cannot he induced to take this property
off the hands Of the State, then it would
seem to he advisable to reserve such
number of convicts ms may he necessary
to work this farm. in case it shall be de-
ferniped TO cont:nue operations there
The rent amounts TO about per cent on
forty thousand dollars. My best informa.
ton Is that the land whom leased was no,
worth ten thousand 3oliars
The State hns an intereSr in the Castle
Hayne plantation in Halifax county
Your hoard has rccci "a ms . 'egacv fr,,u1
the former management debt Of about