Chap. 107.—An ACT to provide for the use of convict labor on the
New river railroad.

Approved February 22, 1878.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the gover-
nor of this state is hereby authorized to furnish to the New
river railroad mining and manufacturing company, free of
hire, as many able-bodied convicts from the penitentiary as
may be now or hereafter there, and as can be spared, with-
out interfering witb the mechanical or skilled labor employed
therein for manufacturing purposes, or with previously made
contracts, and under such conditions as to safe keeping, for
such length of time as the governor may prescribe, to be
used by said company in constructing said railroad. The
state of Virginia shall defray all expenses of the mainte-
nance, clothing, guarding, and medical attendance of said
convicts: provided that in no event shall the said expenses
so incurred by the state, exceed the cost, per capita, of main-
taining convicts in the penitentiary. But the said New river
railroad mining and manufacturing company shall, at the
end of each year, deliver to the state its first-mortgage
bonds, bearing six per centum interesi, for such sum as may
be equal to the expenses so incurred by the state for said
year: provided the governor may at any time recall said
convicts, or any of them, if in his opinion such recall is
necessary to effect a lease of the penitentiary.

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