CHAP. 295.—An ACT to provide for the working of certain long term or
desperate convicts by the superintendent of the pentitentiary, the gov-
ernor and the commissioner of agriculture, for the manufacture of
ground limestone and oyster shells, and incidentally for the disposition
of the same, and the by-products suitable for road construction, to the
citizens of the State.

Approved March 14, 1912.

Whereas, it is the policy of the State to work as many of the
convicts confined in the penitentiary as possible, for the build-
ing and maintenance of roads, and when on account of character
or disposition it shall be expedient so to work them, to provide
suitable employment in quarries where they can be guarded, and
their product sold; therefore

1. Ee it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
governor, superintendent of the penitentiary and the commis-
sioner of agriculture shall constitute a board, of which the
governor shall be chairman, to be known as the convict lime
board, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of
this act.

2. That whenever the board shall be of opinion that it is
wise and expedient to do so, as many or the long term or des-
perate convicts as can be profitably emploved within the limits
of the appropriation made in this bill shall be put to work in
quarrying, getting out and grinding limestone and oyster shells,
and to enable them to do so, the board herebefore constituted, may
acquire by gift, purchase or lease suitable limestone lands or
quarries and suitable deposits of oyster shells convenient to
transportation by rail or water, and shall cause the same to be
manutactured, so that the product shall pass through a seive of
not less than ten meshes to the inch, unless the purchaser shall
specifically contract for a coarser product. And said board is
also authorized to acquire land convenient to the quarry for the
erection of suitable buildings for the convicts and other em-
plovees.

3. The said board is now and hereby authorized to purchase
and install necessary and suitable engines, boilers, machinery
and appliances, having regard to durability and efficiency, for
the quarrying of the stone and handling of the shells, for the
crushing of the stone and shells, and for loading the ground
product upon cars, boats, wagons or other vehicles for transpor-
tation, and shall see to it that competent and reliable men are
placed in charge of said machinery, and whenever practicable
convicts shall be used for all the work of the plant.

4. The said board, in order to carry on its work, shall dispose
of the ground limestone and shells and, in the disposition thereof
and of the by-products, shall have regard to the rights and in-
terests thereof and of by-products; shall have regard to the rights
and interests of all the citizens of the State and shall not sell to
any one purchaser more than a carload during any one year if
there are any other applications therefor, and shall as far as
possible have regard in making said sales to the several sections
of the State, and it shall not be sold to any person except for his
own use, but two or more persons in the same locality may to-
gether order a carload to be distributed at destination.

5. The said ground limestone and ground oyster shells so
produced by convict labor shall be sold for cash and at a price
which shall repay the State for the maintenance, guarding and
service of the convicts, for the interest on the amount invested
in machinery, ten per centum for wear and tear of the ma-
chinery, the cost of the rock and shells; and the upkeep of the
machinery. And the said board shall dispose of any by-product
of quarry or from oyster shells for road or other purposes for a
fair price to any of the citizens of this State on the same terms
and in the same manner, except as to quantity, as the crushed
product is sold. And the said board shall place upon every bag
containing its products; and when shipped in car-load lots on
tags or cards not less than four inches square, to be tacked on
outside and inside of car, which shall set out the analysis of its
product, and shall in all respects comply with the requirements
made upon manufacturers of lime.

6. The board shall keep accurate accounts of all moneys re-
ceived and disbursed, and a list of parties to whom the crushed
limestone, crushed oyster shells and by-products shall be sold,
and shall also keep an accurate account of the expense of main-
tenance and guarding the convicts, and the amount due the State
on account of their services.

7. All money received by the board shall be deposited in one
or more of the banks having the right to receive State money, to
the credit of the board, and shall be drawn by check signed by
the chairman of the board, and showing by itemized statement
attached, the purpose of the claim which it settles. On the first
day of January and July of each year a full statement shall be
made of the operations of the board to the governor and auditor
of public accounts, which reports the governor shall transmit to
the general assembly, and any money not needed for the work-
ing of the convicts as aforesaid shall be paid into the treasury.

8. For the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of this
bill, the sum of thirty thousand dollars is now and hereby appro-
priated to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, as the same may be needed, upon the warrant of
the chairman of the board, which shall specify the purpose for
Which the money is to be used.