The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-02
Especial to The Messenger.)

penitentiary board today. The demo-
Gratis went out at 10 O'Clock. They did
not expect, nor did their attorneys ex-
pect the fusion members would meet
with or recognize them; but Edward
Clark, fusionlst, came in. This broke the
ice, so to speak, and Heanan Hughes,
j. w. Denmark and A. z. Sigmon fol-
lowed. The last named wanted put upon
the records the statement that in this
meeting with the democrats he did not
waive any rights, but the board told
him his was absurd. Then he let the
whole matter drop and figured promi-
nently in the proceedings.
Bill Day came in and participated
and was graciousness itself. He made
some nice talks, saying he did hope
his dear friends, the democrats on the
board, would stay and that they and
their executive board should divide the
authority with him.. A. B. Young pre-
sided and B. w. Ballard was secre-
tary.
The owners Of the shirt factory plant
in the central prison, which was re-
Gently shut down, offered to sell it for
$500. The board appointed a commit
tee to look into this matter.
A committee was also appointed to
prepare rules and regulations for the
p~enitentiary.
About 4 o'clock Claude Dockery, ex-
chairman Of the board, Who had arriv-
ed in the city at 10 O'Clock, went to
the penitentiary. He did not go into
the board room, but sat in solitary
grandeur in the porch Of the main
building. He stayed there an hour or
more, then departed.
The board discussed many matters.
One was as to the purchase of farms.
This matter was finally referred to Di-
rectors Jarvis, Osborne, Newland,
Cotton, Perry n LeGrand and Su-
perintendent Day as a committee to
report tomorrow, when it is highly
probable that a decision will be made
to purchase the Caledonia and North
ampton farms ON Roanoke river. There
are 1900 acres in Caledonia farm and
$500 in Northampton farm, and the
price to be paid for the former is 500, 900
and for the latter $32, 900. They are
among the finest farms in the south
and the penitentiary has expended over
$500, 900 on them. 1t was plainly stated
that it is a great investment for the
state to buy them. 1t has for years
had an option upon them, and Day an
nounced that So, 900 premium would be
paid for this option and that Matt. w
Ransom was very anxious to purchase
the Northampton farm. A syndicate
is also ready to buy or to lease from
the p~enitentiary both farms to grow
sugar beets and AXE 600 convicts to
work on these farms.
There was general discussion of the
effect of the supreme courts decision
in the Day case. Day said all his acts
were subject ito revision. w. c.. New
land wanted to know how much of the
act Of 1897 is now in operation.
Day thought the executive board
was in the saddle and had full power
He hen said: why don't you ascer.
tain where you stand? When you as.
certain that l will help you He gave
notice that he had made several ap
pointl~ ents subject to the boards rat
iicatt These are as follows: Gen.
eral manager of farms, ]. Richard
Tillery; general manager of the pen
itentiary and purchasing agent, F. 3
Arendell; supervisor of Halifax farm
Z. c. Shearin, vice John T. Pope, re
moved; supervisor of Tillery farm, W
A. Christian, vice w. r. Mazingo, re
moved; supervisor of the two Caledo
MIA farms, c. J. Rhem and ]. H. Nc
liver, vice W.. r. Dixon and T. E. Nc
Caskey, removed. Day said all thes
appointees were good democrats. H
said he had discharged all negro guard
and that he left the selection of over
seers and guards to the supervisors
who knew best as to those places. Da,
said several farms were operated a
dead loss and hat these ought to b
abandoned and the rent paid until tn
leases expire; that it was economics
thus to abandon them, if hey coul
not be r~e-rented. He said the mum
Der Of convicts was steadily falling of
The board met tonight in e~xecutiv
session and meets again tomorro,
morning. Today's action of Day an
all the fusionists appears to have S
changed the statues Of affairs that tn
democrats may not resign until latel
if they do not decide to remain in. ]
is a reasonably good guess to say tha
til will not resign Immediately.
h corporation commission was nc
in session today. Last night it ordere
notice sent the various railways cal
ing att ton to the Jim Crow ca
law, and stating that ait the next ses
sion of the commission, May Sth,
will take into consideration the Ell
forcement of the act, and will on thu
date give a hearing to all railways d.
string it.