not a very welcome sentiment.

45. _Efforts of the Prison Aid Association for legislation in favor of
the prison._ The Governor, in his message of '69, proposed that the
prison be put under the management of a Board especially appointed to
that purpose. But, instead of this, and in connection, making such other
provisions for the institution as were really needed, the legislature
simply passed the whole matter over into the hands of the Governor and
Council, as this Board, an improvement somewhat, no doubt, over the
former system, but an arrangement, which, in the views of many of our
best citizens, carries with it grave objections.

The Board, thus constituted, is a changeable body, the members never
remaining in office more than two years, and sometimes but one. As a
result, the prison must necessarily be managed largely by the
inexperienced, for the men, generally, no doubt, come to the office
without having given any special attention to the subject. This is much
like setting a company of untaught landsmen to navigate a ship.

Again, the prison is liable to no little changeableness in its mode of
being directed, a great detriment to its welfare, unless it be from bad
to good. Men will possess their varying notions, and some, though
lacking a knowledge of the best prison interests, will persist in
having their peculiar views put in practice, however conflicting and
contradictory. It is also now liable to be left largely in the hands of
the warden to be run as he wills, besides being exposed to the
unfavorable effects of political party influence. Finally, the
institution can receive only its part of the largely divided attention
of its managers, and thereby, at times, be liable to inconvenience.

But the best interest of the prison evidently demands the control of men
especially adapted to their task, men who shall form a body with all
possible permanence, possess ripe experience, be free in their rule from
partisan control, who shall make the institution their speciality, and
manage after some fixed policy involving the most enlightened
principles, principles of true reform.

The Association took up these matters, and for the purpose of obtaining
legislation looking as undividedly in this direction as possible,
appointed a committee, of which Rev. Mr. Sanborn of Concord served as
chairman, who should, after due investigation and correspondence with
other States, prepare the requisite bill for legislative c