1881 public laws – Ch.240 Sec.15

That the authorities of the penitentiary, on the application of the president or board of directors of the Atlantic and French Broad Valley Railway Company, are directed to furnish for labor of said road not not less than fifty nor more than one hundred convicts, the said convicts to be in all respects under such guards, laws and regulations as are provided for in other cases where convicts are furnished for public works; and that the said corporation or railway company shall feed, clothe, guard and furnish all medical aid to said convicts at the expense of said corporation: Provided, That this act shall not be construed to interfere with the assignment of convict labor, or to diminish the number of said convicts assigned to any public work in which the state has an interest.