The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-22
WANTS TO QUIT FARMING
AND GIVE THE CONNECTS TO THE
COUNTIES FOR ROAD WORK.
MATTER TO BE INQUIRED INTO
The Proceedings of Yesterdays Two Meetings
of The Board of Penitentiary Directors
Smiths Report not Yet
Passed Upon.

The board of directors of the State
pcnitentiary held two meetings yester-
day, one in the forenoon and one at
night. The board worried with their coats
off over many minor and few important
matters. One of the most important of
the questions discussed was embodied i'll
a resolution by MIR. Nj. III. IL. Caldwell
looking to the final discontinuance of all
farming operations on the part of the
State.
The following is the full text of the
resolution:
Whereas, the working of conyicts
upon the State farms has not been Il re-
markabe success, and
Whereas, the placing of conyictS upon
farms is i'll competition with the farmers
of the State Therefore be it
Resolved, That a committee of three
including Superintendent Mcwbornc be
appointed to report ut the September
meeting the status Of the several leases
of farms and to devise il plan to place
the convicts upon the public roads of
such counties as will pay the transporta-
ton, clothing, feeding and guarding of
such convicts rs provided for i'll section
&, chapter 36l, Acts of 1899.
The resolution was showed on the board
unawares and il created a stir.
\ lengthy discussion followed and il
looked ut one time like it was going to
be defeated. but the author finally Sc
cured the floor and made Il rip-rOaring
campaign speech declaring that il was
not right to keep these convicts in cOmpc-
tition with the honest farmers of the
State and that the eyes of these farmers
were on the members of the board and
would hold them TO account for their
votes on this proposition.
This speech tagged the opposition and
before the vote was taken its opponents
had dwindled down to but very few. and
the resolution was passed by Il good ma
jority.
The following compose the committee:
j. NJ Mewborne superintendent, j. w.
Denmark and Il. II. Hughes.
The committee is to make a report at
| the meeting in September.
Inc artesian well matter came up and
| Mr. Knox, of Charlotte, appeared be-
| fore the board. A contract had been
| made with him to bore two wells, one he
| claimed had been completed, when he
was stopped by Supt Mewborne be
| cause he claimed that it was not in fae-
| cordance with the contract
inc board claims that the wells were
| to be artcsian wells. Mr.. Knox claims
| that they were TO be tube or artesian
| wells, but not having with him the origi-
nal contract the matter was postponed
until the next meeting.
The shirt factory is also giving the
board more trouble than profit, so some
of the members claim. This matter was
discussed at some length. Mr.. Hilder-
brand finally being given until the next
meeting to demonstrate the practicability
and profit that he claimed would grow
out of the enterprise.
The question of uniforms for convicts
was discussed, but final action was de
ferred until the next meeting. Mr.. &. Nj.
-usbee appeared before the board with
Il proposition to adjust the differences
between the State as part owner and the
individual owners of the Castle Hayne
property. This matter was postponed.
The report of John II. Smith was
again submitted and discussed for some
time. This report was being considered
at 1880 O'Clock last night when our re-
port closed.