g to the disadvantage of the former,
muddling some of the Senate, and thus leading them to think it not best
to be "mixed up in the matter," and so to vote that the measure be put
over.

It is wonderful to think how slight an influence will sometimes thwart
an important measure in passage at the legislature. A mere whisper of
some whim, a little prejudice against another, perhaps may put it all
aside. How little attention is given to merit! This is true even of Hon.
Senators. To one of these I spoke about his vote within ten minutes
after he had given it, and he replied,--"I don't know, I am sure, how I
voted, for I did not care anything about it."

The fact is, this bill did not originate with me. I had nothing to do
with it, not being on the committee who framed it. But, as Agent of the
Association, I spent more or less time at the State House, looking after
the interest of the measure.

The next session the bill came up in the Senate again, and, through the
same interest as before, probably, it was indefinitely postponed and
another put on passage in its stead, which went to the House committee
on prisons. But they did not think it worthy of being reported, and that
died. A member of the committee remarked that it appeared to be a scheme
started by one for the purpose of making a comfortable place for
himself. And he, no doubt, had the right of it, for the prominent
provision was that the Board should consist of three, one of whom must
be a resident of Concord, and not be allowed over four hundred dollars.
That would be a nice thing for the Concord man. Thus matters stand at
present so far as legislation is concerned.

If the reader will give attention to the bill above presented, he will
see that it is very comprehensive, and might easily be carried out. It
contemplates the needed permanence, each member being in long enough to
obtain large experience in prison management, yet changing sufficiently
often to avoid the ill effect of remaining in office too long. It
further contemplates small expenses, as each member of the Board is to
charge nothing for his time.

It has been suggested that the bill be further amended, by striking out
the words "and other instruction," in Article VIII., and inserting the
following Section after Sec. 3, thus, Section 4: This Board shall
consider the reform of the prisoners the paramount object of the prison,
and shall secure to them such secular, Sabbath school, moral and
religio