Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-19
WHITE CONV|CTS TO
Be PUT TO WORK
ON PUBLIC ROADS?
Prison Commission, Fretted by
Governors Failure to Accept
WimberIy Place, May Take
This Action.

Governor Smith returned to the prison
commission. Tuesday morning. the COM
missions recommendation that the VIM
berry place in Twiggs county be pur-
chased as the farm for white cOnvicts.
The prison commission resents the
governors "turn-down, ind will either
insist that the Wimberly place is their
first and last selection among all the
farms offered or will let the farm pur
chase matter drop for the time being.
probably till next fall
And consequently the probability is
big that the white convicts of Georgia
VIII be taken from the lessees on April
and put to work on the public roads.
Captain Goodloe Yancey. secretary or
tho commission, in fact states that he
will on his own authority, and in the
absence of Instructions to the contrary.
make immediate plans for ordering the
white convicts out on the roads.
May Drop Matter
What the prison commission will do
in the meantime TO prepare for his COM
ing. is not known. Judge Turner may
not return to Atlanta. The commissioner
may not act at all 1t may re-submit
the Wimberly farm to the governor next
Monday. and in the absence of his APP
prevail a second time may drop the mat
ter till next fall.
Governor Smith sent the whole matter
back to the commission Tuesday morn
ing With it went a five or six-page
letter of transmission, setting forth the
governors reasons for not being fully
satisfied with the farm as it was shown
TO him and his objections TO the place.
Bids Reduced
In his letter of transmission the gov
ernor calls attention to several reduc-
rions that have been made in other bids.
and suggests that the commission give
the whole matter further investigation.
He offers TO confer with the commission.
Il, save time and work on both sides.
All three OF the remaining farms Of the
four which the prison commission last
had under consideration have reduced
their prices. Another well considered
farm. il is said, has also made a re-
duction since il was learned the Wimber-
Is farm was favored.
The Greer place in Turner county, the
Smith farm in Laurens and another in
the same county, an offer near Wilcox.
the James place in the north of Eman-
uel county, one in Sumter county near
DeSoto, and two or three others at
least. are known to be considered by the
governor as well worthy OF reeonsldera-
ton by the commission
Commissioner Evans wants to go ahead
again on the proposition. as the commits
sion nnds Il and make a selection as
soon as possible.
Commissioner Williams, on the Other
hand, outlines what may more probably
be the course of the commission.
MIR. Williams Talks
..The governor has requested us to
make some changes in our recommended
tons and TO make some matters more
explicit." remarks Commissioner Will
liams He also suggests that we take
otEer offers into consideration, as some
OF them have reduced their price.
still believe that the Wimberly offer is
the best for the state. all things con-
sidered. When the board meets 1 shall
offer a resolution. after some Of the
changes suggested by the governor are
made. that we re-submit our original re-
commendation TO the governor.
'If the governor again sees Mt not 10
take it, 1 am in favor of putting the
white convicts on the road and letting
the farm matter drop entirely ur-'' next
fan. This would give the commission OPP
portunity to quietly investigate all farms
during the time that crops are grow
ing. Personally / would regret to see
the white convicts go anywhere except
upon a farm. These are my personal
views. and l am not speaking for the
other two members of the commission.