The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1925-03-06
THROWS LIGHT ON HEAVY
DEFICIT IN STATE PRISON
1t Seems MIR. Mclean Isn't Making Any In
quiry in Superintendent George Ross
Pou's Management
BY W. o. SAUNDERS

o.
What's the matter with
North Carolina finances? Why
arc there deficits in this de-
partment and that? Why for
instance is there a deficit OF
nearly $500,00O.00 in the State
Prison?
This is moi an attempt to answer
these questions puzzling the minds
of SO many North Carolinians, but
it mya help TO throw light on them,
Maybe we have too much confidence
in state officials generally and nuke
il easy for them to abuse our con.
fidcncc. We don't keep enough
check on them. ..t.
Now here's George Ross Pou,
superintendent of the. State Prison.
He draws salary of 1880 a year;
the State furnishes him home and
provides him with five servants
from the cOnvicts of the prison. He
has il cook, IL maid. a nurse,
chauffeur. and Il gardener, all sup.
piled by the State. That isn't do
ing bad by Mr.. POu at all.
But in addition TO all thcs
cmOlumcnts the State permits hin
and his family 10 trade all over
ltalcigh and have things CHARGE
nt the stores. and the State pays
ihc bills.
Now Mr. Pom and the members
of his family may not buy things
and have them charged to the State.
except things that are necessary
TO the upkccp Of the State Prison,
or things that the tax payers should
provide for the home ii furnishes
free to Mr.. Pom.
But just look mt this ltcmized
statement Of things supplied upon
orders from Mr.. POu and his house
hold by just one department store
in Raleigh. charged TO the Stale
Prison and paid for by the Slate
Treasury.
say read this itemizcd statement
taken direct from the hooks OF the
BOylan-Pcarcc Co. Of Raleigh. IL
looks more like II lady'S personal
shopping list than like n list Of
legitimate supplies for a State Pri-
son.
Lock at The item Of $3.50 pair
of wOmrn'S shoes. High priced
ShOSc for n woman convict. aren't
they: And does the State buy
shoes for its prison at retail, any
such way:
Then look at he items Of infants
wear. You would think they sent
babies 10 the Pcnitcntiary in North
tarClinH. And th" items OF Organdic,
trctOnnc, Scrim. etc. would indi-
cate that the State Prison is doll
cd mp like II bridal chamber.
say this bill Of the Boylan-
Prarcc 60. doesn't look right. And
that's only one Of many store ac-
counts that the State is puying
without any question.
The State pays aud pays and
there is no question, no invesr.
CATION.
Governor Mclean makes n plea
that h" is pOwcrlcsS to investigate
such things without legislative au-
ihoriiy. Your dear Governor eyi-
IDENTIFY does moi know the law of
his state. for hp will find i'm Sec
ton IJ:i2, Chapter 12G Of the Con
Solidaicd Statutes Of North Caro-.
lima full authority to appoint u
commission 10 investigate the nc.
fairs Of any state institution. He
doesn't have To get u special net
of 'Ir legislature to start an in
yrSl'galiGn in any state institu-
ti"n any time. Wouldn't il be
good thing for him To- start an i,i-
rSilgatl0n Of the State Prison?
inrIdrptHl!r. an honest to God in
vcStigalion of the State Prison
might solve that old puzzle Of hoy
one DR.. Peacock got eight sheet
IN his cell from which he Inad.
r"p" Ia escape from q murderer
cell. BrIi read this statement aIr
ponder the items well. Do you Ill
The idea of having to pay bills H..
Continued Oh page Two)