Chap. 1.—An ACT to provide for the use of convict labor on the James
river and Kanawha canal.

Approved December 12, 1877.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the gov:
ernor of this state is hereby authorized and directed to fur-
nish to the James river and Kanawha company, free of hire,
such convict labor as may now, or hereafter may be under
his control and may not be actually employed in the work-
shops of the penitentiary, and on such condition as to safe-
keeping as be may deem necessary, and so long as said labor
may be needed for the repairs of the canal from the effects
of the freshet of November, eighteen hundred and seventy-
seven, with reservation of the power to recall said convicts
whenever in his opinion the public service requires it, not
exceeding, however, the first Wednesday in December, eigh-
teen hundred and seventy-nine. The state of Virginia shall
defray all expenses of the maintenance, clothing, guarding,
and medical attendance of said convicts; but the James river.
and Kanawha company shall, at the end of each year, deliver
to the state its bonds, bearing six per centum interest, and
payable five years after date, for such sum as may be equal
.to the cost to the state of such maintenance, clothing, guard-
ing, and medical attendance of said convicts while the same
are in the services of said company.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.