The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-23
STATE FARMS MANAGEMENT.
Mr. Whitehead Thinks the States Prison w
Never Better Managed Than Now.

10 the Editor:-Perhaps your readers
would IKE TO have something concerning
the farms now owned and operated by the
state, also of the central prison manage
ment.
nave been recently employed ON Cal
adonla Farm. No. 2, and prior to the
freshet On May 25th, which broke the
dyke, never saw crops look more prom
ising. The supervisors of these farms,
Nos and 2, who are Capt. C. j. Rhenn
and Major j. II. Mclver, are good farmers
and excellent managers of convict labor.
Their lands had been thoroughly pre-
pared and nicely planted, when this dis
astrous freshet came and destroyed fully
one-third of all their crops which, of
course, necessitated q replanting, and
their crops will naturally be backward
and considerably short of what would
have otherwise been realized. Notwith-
standing these adversities, these gentle
men went to work and re-panted, got
out of the grass, cut what wheat was
left and are now going on as though
nothing had happened.
The Board of Directors, which is COM
rosed Of very intelligent body of gem
tlemen counseled by their able superin-
tendent, Mr. j. s. Mann. rendered these
supervisors all the assistance at their
command. Circumstances over which
these directors, superintendent and sun
ervsors have no control will be the only
cause of failure this year, should there
be one. They are using good judgment
which means economy to start with.
They are making things look like they
did when Carr was Governor A. Leazar
manager of this institution. and such
men as Thomas Armstrong, DR. l. E.
Green, Will f. White, Bennett and A. B.
Young were its directors It's credit was
then at a premium, and with It's present
management it will be so again.,
Without reference to myself I never
saw the time when this Institution had
q better and more competent set of men
in its employment The supervisors, stew
ards, overseers and guards. with a very
few exceptions if any, are good men.
The condition of things at the central
prison indicates fine discipline and gen.
eral good management, every department
being as neat as it can be made; officers
and subordinates gentlemanly towards
one another, never an unkind word spoken
by one to the othel
The prisoners are cheerful. | assert
it as a fact. that they are treated kindly
at Cenlfal GTlSOn ana Oh tue ldTHS. No
undue punishment is inflicted, but little
Of any kind. They work well and the
officers are conservative men.
DR.. James r. Rogers is the physician
in charge of Central Prison. and DR..
X M Ferguson on the farm. They are
clever gentlemen and eminent physicians
as the health records will show. The
new management displayed fine judgment
in retaining old supervisors, stewards and
physicians this year, as their experience
and good judgment was never more>in
demand New supervisors of convict
camps are generally at sea and they
would have been especially so this year
at Catalonia. Mr.. G.. N. Christian is
supervisor of the Tillery Farm. He is
a good officer and thorough gentleman
This farm was very slightly damaged
by the freshet.
The tax payers need not apprehend any
further trouble; this institution will be
made to pay if possible.
| am. very respectfully
w. B. WHITEHEAD,
Raleigh, n G.