The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-21

cotton on hand and charged to the pen
itcntiary ut n valuation or S4O,1 |, when
in fact the cotton remaining on
hand when sold only brought S36, 333lG.
The total amount of the cotton that |
sold brought only $40, 5JS.3S Mr.. Leazer
having drawn out before the LIST of
April. SGT, 42G.6S.
| give these figures to show that
when | took charge on the list Of April
1897. there was only S20,55S,3S in cotton
on hand and in the treasury, Sl,IS3lo
and in the drawer S127.12, total with
which to start business the LIST of April
SD. Ago. Is. The amount | expended Tor
horses and in paying the bills OF Mr..
Ipazer more than consumed the cotton
on hand and the cash turned over to
me.
With all the farms to bc supplied
with provisions for man and beast and
with each and every Supervisor clamor-
ing for them, wagons and farming
implements as shown by their letters
on file. you will find that my cXpcndi'
lures were about the same per month
as that of Mr.. LcaZcr in 1896.
The brick estimated ut S3,517.27 as on
hand the 1st Of January, 1897, must
have been disposed of prior TO the LIST
of April. 1891 as there was not near
this amount on hand at the latter date
| Under these great disadvantages | sup
| piled the farms and furnished them
with teams and farming implements
and machinery. On each farm we IN
| creased the yield over any former yeas
| in all farm products ana IN cotton Wa
made Il greater number of bales ana
| heavier bales than ever before. There
! were made during 1891, BIG bales of
& cotton, an increase of 500 bales over
| any former year. 1t should be borne
| in mind that the price OF cotton for
| the season of 1897 and 1898, was eX-
trcmely low. and much below the
price Of 1896 and 1897. while there was
no corresponding decrease in the eX-
pensc of making the crop. It should al
so he remembered that | was compelled
i for want of ready money to buy on
credit and pay the additional price al
: ways demanded when spot cash is not
4, paid.
The farms have all been improved
and are in fine condition for cultivation
land ! consider the pcnitentiary in bet
ter fix than ever in its history. taking
! into consideration the present state OF
the farms and the supplies in farm pro-
ducts, teams. farming implements, etc.
on hand the LIST of January, 1898.
The prisoners were well fed, well
clothed and kindly treated.
There is preaching at the Central
pcnitentiary and ON each OF the farms.
The Sunday Schools at the Central
Tenitcntiary and on the Arson and
Caledonia farms are in iinc conditions.
1t is to be regretted that there is M
library on the respective farms except
ing Arson. Unfortunately. there are
some educated men who are criminals.
These arc earnestly DESTROYS Of spend
ing their Sundays and spare moments
in reading. Just prior to the severance
of my connection with the penitcntiary
| had, with the assistance of member
of your board directed Il library to he
placed on each farm. This was done III
the Arson farm and it was my wish tC
+, have put one on each farm.
Hoping you gentlemen will continue
your valuable assistance to my success
sor and that YOU may succeed in max
ing the penitentiary self-sustaining,
: remain, Very respectfully,
8 JNO. II. SMITH.