The Van Buren press., 1902-11-29
The Penitentiary Board Replies TO the
Charges Made by Gov. JEFF Davis.

man; Attorney-Gene-al George W.
Murphy, Secretary of State John w.
Crockett and Agricultural Commis-
sioner H. T, Bradford of the state
penitentiary board addressed the follow
ing communication to the Gazette
Saturday evening in reply to an inter
view published in that paper from jeff
Davis, the minority member OF the
board, relative to the purchase of the
state convict farm;
IA formal offer of the Urquhart
property, the same bought by the peni'
fentiary board yesterday, was made to
the board on the 18th Of September,
1902, and read in board meeting. A
minute of the matter was made on the
record, and at all or nearly all the sue
cessive meetings steps were taken look
iEg to the purchase OF a convict farm.
A resolution for the examining OF farms
by the members of the board, either in
body or separately, as they might elect
to go, was passed and spread upon the
minutes. Such was Gov. Davis famil-
jarity with the whole matter, this and
all other like propositions. that on the
18th Of October last he introduced be-
fore the board resolution stating
that
80 Whereas, a majority Of the board,
having 1t in mind to purchase planta-
tiou at an early date, upon which to
work the state cOnvicts, and were not
planters, and knew little or nothing of
the quality or value of farm lands,
therefore, that Captain R. r. Rice of
Warner, Lincoln county; Col. j. T
Smith OF Crittenden county and Capt.
J T, Phillips of jefferson county, men
whom money could not influence or
ccntaminate, be appointed to investi.
gate the propositions submitted, and
thereafter to be submitted to the board,
and be empowered to recommend to the
board the best aud most suitable pur-
chase for the state. and that the board
should buy the farm recommended by
them, II satisfactory to the state.
1T is not true, as stated by him, that
he had never heard Of the submission Of
this proposition to the board.
" 10 ltuo iubt Wdb
suddenly; that 1t was suddenly made
known in the board meeting.
1T Is not true that the board or any
OF its members had previously deter
mined to buy this farm.
There had been no conference, un-
derstanding or predetermination be-
tween any Of the members
ut Is not true that the proposition to
sell this farm WAS first made on yester-
day by Col. j. NJ. Moore, attorney for
the owner.
"As stated before the proposition had
been pending for more than two
months. Mr.. Moore merely handed In
to the board a communication, accom-
panied by prepared contract, indicat-
ing the terms upon which the owner
WAS willing to sell the property. This
he did without any understanding with
the board or its members. He did, as
we suppose, what he thought was the
easiest and clearest way OF expressing
the terms on which his client would
sell, the law requiring that the price
should be paid only out of convict labor.
and In such sums as would leave enough
IN the hands Of the board to support the
convicts and run the farm.
'As to the proposition Of General
Green, that WAS made for cash, aud ut
n far higher price per acre than the
farm WA bought. When General Green
was told that the board could dot pay
cash, not having that much money, and
that the law permitted only the pay
jnent of surplus proceeds of convict
labor, enough being left In the hands of
the board 10 maintain the conyicts and
farm, he said that no business man
would sptertain such terms. Whether
he knew when he made the offer that IL
could not be complied with under the
law, we do not know. but his conversa-
zion and manner made 1t plain to every
one present that he would never make
amy offer that the board could meet or
accept,
"Govern0r Davis tells the truth
when he says that he did all In his
power to prevent the purchase,
"He resorted to his tactics OF Offering
resolution substitutes the first of
which was to appoint committee OF
five farmers. whose expenses were to be
paid BY the board, to examine the land
offered.
OThe governor says this was
promptly voted down, which Is an
other truth he happened TO tell; but II
had to be voted down promptly, II at
all--and II could not be sustained-for
the law did not warrant what 1t asked,
II he means that II was voted down hur.
.iallu xx,tthAnt h.. Ia
20 this extent away from the truth,
''Tne governor next move was 20
get n substitute through, postponing all
action until the meeting of the 'legisla-
ture, Ia which he recited that the
hoard was Handicapped by an INSULT
cheney In the law governing the purs
chase OF u convict farm,
His inconsistency In this, q milder
term than insincerity, may be seen In
his veto on the 20th Of March, 1901, OF
house concurrent resolution No, 20, for
she appointment OF q committee OF five
from the house and three from the
senate 10 receive bids looking TO the
purchase OF a convict farm, In this
document he said among other things
- There are several objections 10
this resolution which prevent my up
proval OF the same. Among others the
Committee provided Tor by said resolu.
zion would be discharging the duties
vested by law In the penitentiary board,
At the extra session Of The legislature Of
1897 nm act WAS passed nmendatory OF
section bi99 OF Sandels IL Hin \ digest,
srsting the penitentiary board with full
MI N. a..
matter OF said resolution, which said
net provided thnt the said board IL here
ly empowered aud authorized to pur-
chase or lease and equip farm or
farms, upon which To- work the state
,ponviets, and 10 pay for the same ont of
the labor or products Of the labor Of
any eonvIets, 0f they may select any
lands Of the state aud clear and improve