On May 6th I made a visit of inspection to the convict camp in Haywood County engaged in building the South Atlantic Transcontinental Railroad.

I found the camp in a good, healthy condition and everything in order about it. I walked over and inspected the entire work that has been done by this convict force in the last two or three years, and was greatly impressed with the immensity of the work to be done and the small amount already accomplished. I was informed by the Supervisor in charge, Mr. J. E. Hoskins, that Mr. Council, who is supposed to be in charge of the work, had not been upon it in the last two months. That no blasting ammunition had been furnished for the work or used upon it for several months passed, and that the Company had not paid its employees, three in number, for their services during the last six months. I personally saw that the tools with which our prisoners were working were almost completely worn out and upon inquiry was informed that no new tools of any kind had been furnished for their use in many months. There was to my mind every evidence of neglect of the enterprise by those who are promoting it, and I felt that, in so far as I could see or gather any information in that section, that our State was wasting not only the labor of the 21 convicts engaged upon it, but also the money spent in maintaining the camp.

On my return to Raleigh I reported to the Board of Prison Directors the condition surrounding this work as I saw and understood it, and I have felt it my duty to call the matter to your attention also, in order that you may take any action you think proper with reference to the continuance of this work.