You have probably forgotten it, but it is a fact that the Directors of the State's Prison, with the exception of myself, are opposed to putting convicts on the roads. The reason for it is the fact that the Prison doesn't get any credit for this work.

Of course, the Board will do wheatever you say do, but you have got to say. The fact is that you must not tell us that we can do as we please about this matter, because if you do that means that we will not do anything, but if you insist on its being done, it will be done.

I have written Mr. Mashburn to go to Raleigh. In fact, I told him to go there next Monday, as we had expected to meet next Tuesday instead of yesterday, and have you call the Council of State together and get an order from the Council of State backed up by you and that we would send the convicts along.

In my opinion there are plenty of convicts at the State's Farm that we could spare 25 or 50 to go to Old Fort. I understand that the Elkin & Alleghany people will be perfectly willing to turn over 25 or 50 of their convicts to do this work, because they really have more than they know how to handle.

The State's Prison, as I see it, has not accomplished anything during your term, except to build a few miles of road in Madison county and Henderson county. This will be a lasting monument to you and the Board, but, as you know, outside of this we haven't done anything out of the ordinary, so if we can co-operate with the U. S. Government and Old Fort township and complete that beautiful scenic highway from Old Henry via Round Knob and Koont's Gap via Ridgecrest, we will then build another monument to ourselves and be of great benefit, not only to Western North Carolina, but to the state and the nation. In fact, this is the most worthy proposition that has been presented to the Board since I have been in charge.

I hope you will see to it that they get the convicts at once.