The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-30
A TIMELY Law.

A TIMELY Law.
The following Act, passed by the late Legis-
lafufe, is of importance to the people of this
State in view of the late Orders of Gen Sickles.
We published this Act some weeks ago, but re-
publish it now in order to attract more particular
attention
AN ACT givtng to the County and Superior
Courts authority to Sentence Criminals to
acork the Public Roads.
Section l. Be it enacted by the General As
sembly of North Carolina, and it is hereby en-
acted by the authority of the same, That the
Justices of the County Courts aud Judges Of
the Superior Courts shall have power and au-
thority, 10 all criminal cases within their juris-
diction, upon conviction of the defendant in all
cases where the punishment already affixed by
law to the offence does not extend to loss Of
life, to sentence the defendant to work in chain
gangs upon the public roads of the county in
which the offence committed or upon any
railroad or other work of internal Improvements
Court, 10 the exercise of its discretion, may see
! fit, not exceeding one year
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That for the
management and safe keeping of said criminals,
the County Courts, majority of the acting
Judges being present, may elect one or more
suitable persons, who shall be paid for their SER
vices by the day, or by the month or by the
year, such compensation as said justices may
deem just and reasonable, and that the said
Courts shall have full power and authority to
levy taxes on all subjects that are now taxed
for county purposes to meet the payment OF the
same
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That, in all
cases where any criminal shall be sentenced up
on any of the public roads, commonly called
''dirt roads," leading through any section Of the
county, it shall be the duty of the court, at the
expense of the county, to provide said criminals
with good aud wholesome food, and all necessa-
ry tools for the purpose Of working said roads.
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the sew
eral County Courts shall have full power and
authority to make all necessary arrangements
for the protection, cafe keeping and comfort of
| all criminals thus employed, and in all cases
where it may be necessary to do so, there being
no houses within reach Of the point where said
work is being done, that can be procured for
lodging said criminals at night, or to protect
them from the weather when it is too Indictment
to work, that suitable tent-poles and cloths may
be provided for the same, with such camp tools
| as may be necessary.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That 10 all
| cases where the court may be of opinion that
it is not necessary to con6ne said criminals in
chain gangs, BY fastening them with ball and
chain, the court may sentence them to work
said roads without being thus confined.
! Sec. g. Be it further enacted, That in oil
| cases where 1t may be convenient to sentence
said criminals to work upon any railroad or other
work Of internal improvement, in progress in
the State, the court may, at its discretion, SEN
tence any criminal to work upon any such works
IF into al inv md inc RI ho
time for which said criminals may be sentenced
as punishment for the offense, said criminals
may be required to work out the fine and costs
incurred by the county, together with any pri-
| son fees that may have been incurred for their
confinement previous to their trial and convic.
ton, said costs to be accounted for and settled
with the said county, or such person as the
court may appoint to receive the same, upon
such terms may be agreed upon with the di
rectors or managers of said work of internal i'm
provement.
Sec. T. Be it further enacted, That if any
prisoner shall make his escape and fail to dis
charge the work 10 consequence Of his abscond
ing or leaving the service of the county, before
the expiration of the time for which he was sen
fenced to work, he shall be bound to serve dou
BILE the deficient time, and may be re-captured
by the sheriff at any time thereafter, and in al
cases where said criminal shall abscond to any
other or adjoining county, the clerk of the coun
ty court may, and he is hereby authorized to
issue to the sheriff of any county in the State
copios for his arrest.
Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, That in al
cases where any criminal may be sentenced tt
labor on any work of internal Improvement, th'
directors managers thereof, in consideration
of his service, shall furnish guard or oversee
for his safe keeping and control; and in add
ton thereto shall furnish them with lodging
| and board
Sec 9. Be it further enacted, That this &C
shall be in force and take effect from and afte
its ratification
/ Ratified March I'd, 1867.