The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-01-03
PRISONERS HAVE
CHRISTMAS TREE
GOVERNOR BECKETT MAkwa A
SNORT TALK IN PRISON
s CHAPEL.
GOOD MUSICAL PROGRAMME
"rs. Z. w., Beckett Reads superlr.
te"dent cotlie's Proclamation
to the Prisoners.

De
misunderstanding in the chara, 80
inc state prison, before a Christmas
tree around which were grouped gifts
Tor each prisoner in the institution.
Governor Beckett expressed his whole
hearted Christmas sentiments. wish.
ing for them the pleasures that Gonna
from without, the happiness that
comes from within, and the blessed
ness that comes from above. The &C.
cas1on was the celebration of Christ
mas at the prison, this year on a scale
more pretentious than ever before.
Entertainers from Raleigh were there
and the Christmas spirit was conta.
gi0uS.
Governor Beckett went to the prison
just after having pardoned John Wag.
stan, OF Guilford, who has served five
years OF a ten-year sentence imposed
upon his conviction Of highway rob-
berry in which, it was alleged, he Sc
cured $3.50 from negro.
By Superintendent J. r. Collie's
orders, Christmas tree celebrations
were held at the Halifax farms and
Mt the various prison camps. Word
received by him from Halifax was to
II the effect that everyone was busy In
the preparation for the event
Superintendent Collie has, likewise,
just mailed out $4,000 In earnings of
the prisoners to their families or de-
| pendents, few of the checks amount
ing to more than SIS. The money rep
resents the earnings of the prisoners
since April, set apart for use of their
dependents.
The exercises were presided over by
Mr.. r. L. Gray, editor of the Raleigh
| Times, who paid high tribute to Gov
ernor Beckett and his administration
| for the work done in behalf Of the men
and women the world has forgotten.
Songs by the prisoners, of a sacred
| character with Christmas appropriate
ness, preceded the formal program.
but the entire assembly, guests and
prisoners alike, stood while they sang
America The special music for the
occasion was by a quartet composed
of Mrs. Horace Dowell, Miss Harriet
Day, Mr.. J. ]. King, and Mr.. W. G.
Phillips. Besides leading in the cho-
rus songs, the quartet sang. eft Came
Upon the Midnight Clear" and silent
Night"
Opening the program, Mr.. Gray pre-
sented Mrs. T. P. Harrison who offei-
ed prayer. Governor Beckett followed
Mrs, Harrison, and in answer to the
eloquent outburst Of applause which
erected him after Mr.. Gray's eulogy.
he informed his hearers that he had
not come to make them a speech.
"T came" he said, Ito engage with
you and with those gathered here IN
the celebration of the birth Of Him
who came into this world and gave up
His life that all the world might be
free.
81 am sure truly interpret the
heart of North Carolina" he added.
when wish for you everyone
merry Christmas, l am sure L interpret
the heart of the State when l say that
the State takes no pleasure in the I'M
nrisonment of any human being. The
state is anxious for you to be free
-as YOU can possibly be yourselves. II
brings to me as the representative OF
the state very real joy whenever IN
the exercise of the grave Responsible
ties which have been imposed upon
me. can open the prison gates for
anyone.
"But let us for the moment forget
our surroundings IL we may. For after
all. stone walls do not prison make
NOR iron bars a cage. All OF you Will
IF you may and may IL you Will see
around you the marvellous light ano
feel within your souls the JOY OF the
children of God. And I hope tina:
everyone of you, during the Christmas
season, may have the pleasures tna'
come from within, the happiness tna'
comes from without and the blessed
ness that comes from above.
The master of ceremonies, In a nu
morous vein, then presented Col. Fred
Odds. as 1.-THE Cheerful Liar" Col
O1de bowed acknowledgment OF the
tribute. paid his compliments TO the
GOOD Judgment of the presiding onlcer
and then, telling a tale in which GOV
ernor Beckett, squirrels, the Capl.o'
square. and Christmas were all lnvoN
al brought rounds and rounds OF ap
01.une from the assembly and an al
6rmation from Governor B1ckett OF
Mr. Gray's Introductory verdict ne'
corne the gifts, distributed to eacn one
- 't,,s rrisoners as his or her name
was called.