The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-06
IMPROVEMENT ARE MADE
The Pen Has the Most Complete Elec-
trio Plant in the South.
TWO FARMS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED
In Addition to the Raising Of Corn and Cotton,
the MANAGEMENT Have Found il Pro-
fitable to Grow Spanish
Peanuts,
Peanuts.


The report of Capt. w. H. Day TO The
next Legislature is complete. 1t was Civ
cn to the public yesterday, and is in part
as follows
While our receipts disclose the fact
that we have earned and paid into the
Treasury lrOre dollars than any pre-
ceding management, at the same time
1t shows a corresponding increase in
expenditure. This result was inevitable
when we consider the condition of the
institution when it came into our
hands, and the many permanent i'm
provements absolutely necessary to be
made. On the farms, the live stock
was old an5 worn out, the agricultural
implements were worn out and out of
date. We now have on hand magnifi-
cent live stock only. And our farming
implements are OF the most improved
kind and in good repair.
At the Central Prison, we found the
Administration building unfinished in
part, and almost without furniture. We
have completed the same, and furnish
it comfortably We found the sanitary
arrangements of the cell blocks in a
deplorable condition, insulting ones
nostrils as he entered the corridors.
This has been remedied. We have sub
stituted 365 iron bedssteads, with good
mattresses, for a like number of old
wooden hunks which were vermin har-
borers. We have also furnished to the
cells pillows, blankets and sheets. We
have provided baths for the prisoners,
and they are required to battle once a
week, and are at liberty to exercise this
privilege as often as they please.
We were paying about $500 per month,
for our lights and power. This sum
went largely to maintaining lights in
the Criminal Insane Department,
where we were required TO furnish
lights. The management concluded
that it was in the interest of economy
to install an electric light plant of our
own; and, after making careful in
quiry, and INVITING bids for the putting
in of the plant, we decided that it
would be cheaper and better to employ
an electrician to do the work. We
therefore secured the services of Mr..
j. II. P. Cilley for this purpose, and
we now ind ourselves with the most
complete and modern electric light
plant in the South. This not only
furnishes ample light for all purposes,
but in addition, gives us power to run
the shirt factory, our pumps and 9TH
er machinery. We have put arc lights
on the grounds, in the front and rear.
These lights are not only ornamental,
but they prevent the hiding out of the
prisoners, and in this way are indis-
pensable. We have put in each cell an
eight-candle power incandescent light.
These take the place of the tin lamps
heretofore used in the cells, which were
- Of n rAr.iCyf NTO
from fire, and a source of uncleanliness.
After consultation with the Execu-
tive Board, we discontinued farming
operations on the Cape Fear River, at
the Castle Hayne and Lyrias Farms.
This, because the enterprise was unpro-
ftable and a burden. The lease of the
Northampton Farm expires on Janu-
ary 1st 1901 when that farm will also
be abandoned.
The Physicians report will show the
health of the prison to be better than
at any time in its history. And l be-
lieve, from personally observing the
convicts, that they are better satisfied
with their condition and treatment
than heretofore. They seem cheerful,
bright and contented. The cost of main
tanning the prisoners per capita is
greater than at any period of the insti
tution's history. This results from two
causes: first, provisions are all higher,
and second, there has been no stinting
in food or clothing.
Religious services have been held
regularly each Sunday at the Genital
Prison, and on the various farms and
camps. At the Central Prison, they
have been conducted by ministers of
various denominations; and Messrs.
McPheeters, Pullen, Whiting, Bell,
Waite Blake, Curtis, Brizzle, Roberts,
Chamberlain, Hayden, and Mrs. Blair
and Miss Bilyeu by religious exercises
and Sunday School work, have done in
estimable good among the prisoners.
Under CHAPTER 607, Section 2, Laws of
1899, the executive board purchased
from John p Futrell and others, that
tract of land on the Roanoke river,
known as Caledonia: and the perma-
nent Improvements other than these
made at the Central Prison, have all
been made on this farm. We paid for
this farm So 900. The State can sell it
for cash for $4,000 at days notice.
AS is well known, there has been
strip of lan1 Immediately in front OF
the Institution, known as the Boylan
lands. A year or SO ago, this was sur
veyed and divided up into building
lots, and was being rapidly sold, and the
erection of small and unsightly tene
ment houses begun. just in front of the
Administration building. The manage
ment of the renitentiary decided to buy
block of this properly, to grade it
and open up new convenient and at
tractive approach to the Institution.
The land was purchased at a cost of
$3.50, the grading for the new approach
has been done, and within few days
the paving and other work will be
completed, and the institution will
have new avenue of ingress and
egress. both convenient and attractive.
In addition to the raising of corn and
cotton, the management have found
it profitable to grow Spanish peanuts
on the farms. During the current year
we planted on the various farms about
sixteen hundred acres of this crop At