The news & observer., 1898-03-12
OFFICIALS WISH TO SELL
WANT 4 PERMANENT FEDERAL
PRISON HERE
CoNWCTS ARE NEEDED BY THE STATE
Once the Central Prison is Sold, Chairman
Dockery Says the Convicts Can be Worked
or the Roads. Atlanta Also
Wants the Prison.
Wants the Prison.

There is going to be Il big fight over
the location of Federal prison in the
South. Raleigh has it, but Atlanta and
half dozen other places want it. Not
only do they want it. but they are going
to make a desperate effort to get it.
or course Raleigh having the prison
already, has the nine points of possession
on her rivals; but Atlanta is sending
committees and delegations to Washing
ton to press her claims and the people
here cannot afford to sit still.
The suggestion made several days ago
by the News and Observer. that the
State sell the central prison here to the
United States, has met with favor every
where. The State administration, the
penitentiary officials and others say that
it would be the best thing for the State
that could possibly be done.
Mr.. Claudius Dockery, Chairman Of
the Board Of Directors of the State
Pcnitentiary, is now here engaged in
settling up matters between the pcni-
tentiary and cX-Supcrintendent John Il.
Smith. and completing the transfer to
borne. 1t was largely through Mr..
Dockery's efforts that the penitcntiary
was designated us prison for Federal
convictS.
In speaking of the matter last night,
lie said:
THE terms agreed upon are very fa-
vorable to us. The government pays
us twenty-five cents per day for each
rs..gs .i,Nfl ln
him. This cost will not average more
than sixty cents per week. In addition
TO this, we get his labor free. We are
fortunate in getting these convicts at
this time, too, because for some time
our number has been decreasing every
year. We have now 200 less than We
had two years ago. This is not an evil
dence of decrease in crime, but is eX-
planned by the fact that great many
criminals now are sent to the roads in
various counties. We estimate about
200 as the average number of prisoners
that will be sent US.
Under the terms of the deal, we must
work them inside the Central Peni-
tcntiary. They will be employed in the
shirt factory and brick yards, and our
own prisoners there now will be sent
This designation of our penitentiary
is only temporary and the authorities
may withdraw the favor at any time.
They certainly will if the bill now before
Congress is enacted into law providing
for permanent Federal prison in the
South.
IF the bill does pass, why can't Raj
eigh get this prison? 1t is certainly
worth the effort and the people of the
entire State would feel interested in
having the prison located in our borders.
If any effort i'll this direction is to be
made, the question should be agitated at
once. Atlanta and other Southern cities
are already on the move
why can't we sell our building to the
government? All the inspectors who
have visited it are highly pleased with
its arrangement. | am in favor of sell
ing 1T and putting the cOnvicts on the
public roads. Of course | understand
this will require Legislative enactment
but L am satisfied this can be secured
from the next Legislature if the question
is put before it properly.
Prem the sale of this building. upon
which the State has expended more
than a million dollars, first and last the
proceeds would handsomely augment
the public school funds of our State. or
could be used in maintaining for several
years the convicts upon the roads-at
least until the property of the State is
so enhanced in value-wlhich win result
from good roads-that the taxes levied
on the increase will be amply sufficient
to defray the expenses of the States
convicts.
and again public road system of
this kind would work a lasting good to
the State As it is, for years we have
been expending hundreds of thousands
Of dollars to defray the expenses OF our
present penitenItiary system and now
have no permanent benefits to our cred
it. The policy should be changed, and
now is Il good time to begin by first
selling our building to the government
for permanent Federal prison located
in Raleigh.
With proper work, and an excellent
building to offer, | believe we can be
successful. Certainly the game is
worth the candle"
CHANCE FOR FINE STOCK.