Your letter of November 8th received. Replying I have to say that the last legislature passed an act authorizing the working of convicts on county roads under certain conditions. The acts of the last legislature have not been printed, and I do not know exactly what the requirements are. A last reading of the bill, however, shows that one of the first requisites is that the road to be worked must be properly surveyed by a state engineer; second, that not less than forty convicts must be applied for; third, that not less than one dollar per day must be paid to the state for the use of these convicts; fourth, that the county applying for convicts must provide suitable and comfortable quarters for their accommodation, which must include an abundance of good water. Several counties have already made application for convicts, and of course the counties first applying will be supplied. You were right in applying direct to the board of directors of the State's Prison, but as you say, it seems that the Prison authorities have no convicts at present that are available for this work. The board has already so informed this department. I take it that your application will have to be considered in the order of its reception by the prison authorities.