The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-22
And the Salary of Peniten-
tiary Superintendent
CAPT. J.R. SMITH DEPOSED
MANAGEMENT TAKEN OUT OF
HIS HANDS.
slyEN TO AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ds. KrbyESnith Found Guilty Of lndiscretlor
and Gross immortality in His Relation
With the Insane.

A. predicted recently in the News and
@haervcr, the management OF the State
mepitentiary has been taken almost en-
fsrsfy out Of the hands Of Capt. John K.
Smith
For the first time IN the history Of
HAT institution the Superintendent is
Grure-head Capt. Smith retains moth
ing hat an empty title and the right TO
draw his salary.
This was done yesterday by the Board
sf Directors by a resolution, appointing
m executive committee of three and
nlseing the absolute control OF the in
stitution in their hands. This resolu-
sion names Messrs. Chadbourn, Martin
and Gotten on this committee. 1t was
drawn by Mr.. Chadbourn and introduced
~ Mr.. Hughes.
To further shear Capt. Smith Of his
pOwer another resolution was adopted
reuuiring that all bills against the peni-
sanitary be approved by the executive
sOmmittee, the chairman of the Board,
wnd the clerk was authorized to have all
vouchers countersigned by the chairman
Of the Board.
In addition to this resolutions were
yassed ferbidding the families of officers
living within the prison walls, and re-
curing all officers and supervisors in the
employ of the penitentiary to be charged
for the service of all convicts engaged
for their personal service.
The supervisors OF farms are also for
hidden the privilege of raising products,
stocks or game ON the farms.
The Governor went out to the pen'ten-
tiary and consulted with the directors,
urging them to dismiss Superintendent
Smith out and out. Two OF the direc-
tors also favored doing this, but the
majority of the Board thought that it
would be proper to retain him, proyid-
ed an control Of the institution were
saken from him. He can now do no
official act without first getting the coa-
sent Of the executive committee.
The early part of yesterday morning g
session was taken up in a discussion Of
she DIR. Kirby Smith scandal-and the
discussion was pretty lively one. EV-
cry member of the Board-except Can
ION and Peace introduced resolutions In
regard to it. or these Mr.. Clark's was
enc strongest. It received two votes.
The resolution finally adopted was one
introduced by Mr.. Chadbourn.
II declared Dr.. Smith guilty Of indis-
sretion and gross immortality in his rela-
tions with the insane female patients
placed under his care, but commended
tie action Of DR.. Kirby and Superinten-
dent Smith in dismissing him when the
matter was brought to their attention.
SO strong was the sentiment OF the
heard against lease Of the penitentiary
EAat' the matter was not considered at
MI. Indeed there was no proposition be-
fare the Board for lease, except the
enc Ola New York man, noted in yester-
days paper, proposing to take one hun.
cred convicts and establish shirt fac
tory in the penitentiary. A committee,
consisting OF Messrs. Chadbourn, Dock
cry and Gotten was appointed to inquire
into the adyisa bility of leasing these
eonvicts for work in a shirt factory and
seport at the next meeting.
The Board completed its work and ad-
Jearned about / o'clock.
There are now fewer conyicts within
che penitentiary walls than there have
aver teaa, within the history of the in
.,..-.36. Not counting the criminal
fnaane there are only sixty-six convicts
a the prison walls. OF these ten are
women and fifty-six are men. Or the
men only twenty are wen and able
Npfied. the others are sick or crippled.
The well man are cooks, attendants,
servants and hall boys.
The healthy convicts have been sent
20 the farms and railroads. There are
E75 on the railroads.