The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1901-02-02
Snnnyside Farm.

The proposition for the state to pur
chase the Snnnyside plantation in Chico
coupty, to be used as u convict farm
will be presented 10 the legislature il
few days. Ascertaining that Hon
Chas H HALEY Of Desha county repre-
scented the interests of the Sunnysid
owners, Il reporter called on him las
night at the Capital hotel with the re
quest that he furnish the details of tn,
project for the Gazette, that the public
may be able to thoroughly understand
the proposition.
There is not much to say about it,
said Judge HALEY, Except that it is &
good business proposition, and one that
| believe the state will accept. am
here as the representative Of the owners
of the Sunnyside plantation, and / am
confident that can make it clear to the
members of the legislature that it will
he to the interest Of the state to make
the purchase.
Il come to the state legislature with
u clear business proposition TO sell the
state the only ideal tract of land in the
South for the purpose. 1t is sufficiently
large to employ the state convicts for
many years to come. 1t is rich. like
other Mississippi river lands. 1t is sit
uated 80 as not to be subject to overflow
crop never having been lost on it on
this account.
1.-The main body of the tract, about
10, 900 acres. is surrounded by Chicot
lake. which is about three quarters of
mile wide ana In the shape of Il horse
shoe, the ends of which point to and in
about one-half mile of the Mississippi
river. This lake forms II barrier against
escape of convicts. The remainder Of
the Sunnyside tract is just across the
lake from the main body and has about
800 acres in cultivation and would serve
rs an admirable farm for juvenile Of.
tenders to make themselves self.support-
ing and at the same time be entirely
separate and away from the contaminat-
ing influences of the hardened criminals
over on the main body of the land across
the lake.
about $50 convicts worked about
half Of this property two years. 1894
and 1895, and though they worked on
the half share system made about $1S,
900 per annum clear. claim that about
400 convicts can make enough cotton at
prevailing prices this season to make a
profit of $75. 900 and foodstuffs sufficient
to run the farm.
1.-THE cotton yield the past year on
8, 800 acres amounted to over 1875 bales,
bringing about $85 900, and 20, 900 bush.
els of corn, and hay and other products
in large quantities. Add to this at the
same ratio what the other 800 acres,
equally as good land, would yield, and
you have over 800, 900 gross.
Better results can be had for convict
labor, for out Of the crop season in mid
summer and early spring two months
can be devoted to clearing land, and |
should say five acres to the hand car be
cleared and put in readiness for cultiva-
ton each year, and | am sure the third
year would show q net profit Of 500,
900, working 400 convicts the first year
and increasing the number necessary as
land is cleared.
There are over 900 mules good
ones, too, In the bargain, with the best
Of tools and implements, machine shops,
sawmill, gins, fifteen miles of narrow
guage railroad, with two engines and
eight cars, and all in first class order
and condition. In fact the best equipped
cotton plantation in the South. The
roilroad II used instead Of wagons to
distribute hands to work, to bring them
in to headquarters on settlement days
and to haul out supplies to tenants and
haul in cotton from cotton houses at
convenient points along the lines to the
ginnery. Wagons are only used for
gathering corn, etc,
"Yes, i wish the assembly would send
down u committee to thoroughly inves.
tigate and ut the same time look at any
other farms that may be offered to the
state for the same purpose.
Eyes, know this and any other
proposition Of tho kind will meet with
opposition from those who desire TO hire
convicts for 35 cents u day, or even so
cents day. to do the same labor that
would cost II per day II free labor were
employed instead
1.-THE Democratic platform Of the last
state convention held ont some hope to
free labor that this competition OF con
victs with free labor should cease. |
hope all contracts now In force, which
contracts seem TO run from three to
eight years, will be cancelled by the
present legislature, to take effect 1T the
end OF the present year whether II sees
TIT TO buy Sunnyside or not,
''There are many other arguments In
favor Of the purchase Of this plantation
by the state for q convict farm. From
any view that may be taken of the
proposition none can DO presented
against It that cannot I've successfully
and satisfactorily refuted, The widest
criticism of the project is invited, The
purchase Of this plantation by the state
will solve the convict problem in Ark.
ansas for years TO come, II this were
not true would not have undertaken to
effect It's sale to the state,