CHAPTER 382
An Act for the relief of Owen O. Saunders.

ee tere: —
Owen O. Saunders, while confined in the Virginia State Penitentiary,
was assigned to work in the blacksmith shop; while so working, he was
bradding rivets, when a piece of steel flaked off the die and lodged in his
right eye, causing the total loss of sight in that eye.

The loss of his eye by Owen O. Saunders was due to the negligence
of the agents, servants, and employees of the Commonwealth in that he
should have been allowed to heat the rivets prior to bradding them; he
had asked for and been refused protective goggles which have since been
issued persons employed at similar work; and he was forced to engage in
dangerous work without choice.

Owen O. Saunders, as a result of the loss of his eye, cannot earn his
living as a skilled machinist for no one will employ him. The Common-
wealth of Virginia being immune from suit under such circumstances, the
only recourse Owen O. Saunders has lies in the hands of the General
Assembly of Virginia. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund of the State
treasury the sum of one thousand dollars to be paid to Owen O. Saunders
for the loss of his right eye as a result of being forced to work under
dangerous conditions in the Virginia State Penitentiary. Such sum shall
be paid to Owen O. Saunders by check of the State Treasurer issued on
warrant drawn by the Comptroller upon a voucher signed by the Super-
intendent of the State Penitentiary from special funds available to the
Penitentiary, at Richmond Industrial Department, and shall be payable
upon the execution of a release by Mr. Saunders of any and all claims he
may have against the Commonwealth arising out of such event.