Chap. 321.—An ACT for the relief of the county of Bedford from further penalties

; for the escape of certain convicts, etc.

Approved March 25, 1902.

Whereas, the county of Bedford, Virginia, has in the last ten years
spent large sums of money in regrading and improving its roads, and is
using convict labor therefor, and five of said convicts have escaped from
custody ; and,

Whereas, the county of Bedford has spared no pains to recapture
them, and in the effort to recapture them has spent more than three hun-
dred dollars, being more than the penalty for their escape, and is contin-
uing its efforts to recapture them by rewards and other means; and,

Whereas, it appears that, by reason of the use of said convict force in
the county, the prisoners in the county jail are being used along with
said force in working said roads, thereby greatly diminishing the cost
of the keeping of said prisoners: therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the gencral assembly of Virginia, That the county
of Bedford be relieved from further payment of penalties for the said
escape upon the payment within thirty days from the passage of this act
of the sum of one hundred dollars into the treasury of this State.

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