The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1914-08-01
HOW THE CONVICTS OF
STATE ARE HANDLED
N. c. Yawn Writes Impressions Of
What He Saw on Big Places
Owned by State.

| vWMCu W CAoeus
have just returned from three
days visit to the state penitentiary
farm located at Parchman, and
feeling that there may be citizens
of our state who do not fully appre-
ciate the magnitude and importance
of this institution, | am constraln.
ed to say few words with reference
to it. The solution of the state
convict was one that confronted
the legislative and administrative
authorities of the state for years
Their employment in mechanical
and industrial trades within the
walls, was tremendous expense tc
the state, it being impossible tc
take adults. many Of whom were
illiterate and ignorant, and teach
them a trade or use them advan-
tageousIy in employment about
which they knew nothing and cared
less.
The leasing system was a worse
failure still. not only from the
point Of revenue, but from human
itarian standpoint. The question
of state farm or farms had been
agitated for some years, some claim
ing that this was the solution OF
the question that such a venture
was impractical. Farm or no tarm
became more or less OF a political
issue in the state. Finally the
legislature passed resolution to
purchase farm and appointed a
committee with plenary powers to
carry out the mandates of the reso-
luton. Their action was to be ap-
proved by the governor. The plan
was launched, and for some years
met with varying success.
The period of experiment. how
ever, was passed a few days ago,
and success assured.
Parchman which is the principal
farm of the system, is in Sunflower
county, and in the heart of the
Delta. The farm consists of six
teen Thousand acres of the most
fertile land in the world. Four
teen thousand five hundred acres
are in a high state of cultivation.
Of course, a large percentage Of the
acreage is cotton. but corn, oats,
peas and alfalfa are grown in
abundance.
The farm is divided into twenty
sections called camps. about 10O
convicts are worked at each camp.
each camp is in charge of ser,
geant. who is an up-to-date farmer
as we'll as a practical business man,
and these camps vie with each
other in having the best and clean
est crops-the convicts even enter
ing intosthe spirit of rivalry. The
state of course. furnishes all en-
ployes with comfortable homes and
convict servants.
A Telephone system connects all
the camps. and the commissary and
some other building have electric
lights. There is a sawmill and
brickyard on the farm, which fur
nish practically all Of the lumber
and brick used for repairs and all of
the carpenter and brick work.
The new buildings are all of
brick and are practically tireproof.
Two large gins run by gasoline
engines, gir the cotton of the farm.
The place is bountifully supplied
with water from artesian wells,
from 1900 to 1.500 feet deep, and
the buildings are all screened. SO
that malaria is no more prevalent
than in the hill country.
This farm turned into the state
treasury last year a net profit oi
about 1920. 900, thus reducing the
burden of the tax payers tha'
amount.
More than 5000 bales of cottor
were produced besides more thar
enough corn, oats, peas and hav t
run the farm.
Each camp has splendid herds O.
cattle and hogs. About 1000 hog
are said to be on the farm-on,
camp alone having about 600. l
they had Geld storage arrangement
the farm could easily produce al
the meat necessary for consump
tion.
The crop this year gives promis
Of an abundant harvest.
The boil weevil has not invaded
this territory to any great extent
! aud the concensus OF opinion j
that this section is PRACTICAL.
immune frcm this pest.
BY careful and systematic man
agement the farm has been brough
up to the highest state of efficiency
! and will doubtless continue to b
, the states greatet source Of rev
enue.
!, The convicts are we'll cared TO
and humanely treated They ar
allowed certain diversions, such a
baseball. ETC.. and are required t
attend church services. Gambling
one Of the hereditary proclivitie
Of the negro, has been interdicted
The employees are provided wit
I a church and a school building.
The convicts on this farm ar
: lalI negroes except a few who d
r clerical work. A great many o
the convicts are trustees. an