I have read with a great deal of interest the report of Hon. J. S. Mann, Superintendent of the State Prison, made to your Excellency and the Council of State, and published in the Raleigh News & Observer of July 9th,¹ with regard to the State Aid Railroads, or the Railroads to which the State is furnishing convicts and accepting stock for their labor in accordance with Legislative authority.

In the interest of the Statesville Air Line Railroad and the good people of Iredell, Yadkin and Surry Counties I must protest to you and the Council of State against the injustice done our Railroad and our people by the Superintendent's report, which in a number of instances is at variance with the facts in the matter, the details of which we are prepared to go into if you so desire. His report, in our opinion, reveals unjust discriminations against our road and the best interest of our people, which forces us to the conclusion that it is equivalent to an unfriendly act, and therefore, a matter, which it is impossible for us to regard with total indifference.

However, I beg to assure you that our people have the utmost confidence in your good judgment, and feel that you and the Council of State recognize the worthiness of our enterprise and the justice of continuing without interruption the good work now in progress, which means so much to a large section of the State now without railroad facilities, and the development of which now depends so largely upon your action in this matter.