ng the move, and received a decided
remonstrance against it; they arguing that the step would stir up
strife, make divisions and party alienations; that, in the uncertainty
of things, I had no assurance of obtaining satisfaction, and the like.
Supposing this to be given in sincerity, and that, perhaps, it might be
for the best, I gave the matter up, and threw aside my papers.

48. _Anniversary of P. A. Association for '71 and remarks on our jails._
This was held in the Representatives' Hall, at Concord, the second
Tuesday evening of June. Ex-Gov. Smyth, President in the chair.
Attendance not large. The Agent gave a full report of the past year's
doings, showing that good success had attended their efforts, and that
the enterprise was taking hold of the public mind in a measure, though
with some opposition. It had been a year of planning, commencing and
going forward as a new struggle in the State; the object of the
Association being to aid those released from prison by furnishing them
with good, immediate employment, under proper influences and with
suitable surroundings, helping with money only as indispensable, and
then not intrusting it to those aided to disburse. An important
beginning had been made, much hard work performed, and a measure of good
evidently accomplished, giving favorable indications for the future,
with the needed energy and effort. Only $100.50 of the $300 appropriated
by the State had been expended.

In preparing this Report, the Agent had written to all the jails in the
State, proposing over thirty questions for answers, in order to develop
the state of crime and the penal working in our commonwealth. Only a
part responded, but enough to furnish us with important subjects for
study and effort. The good of society, the welfare of the State, loudly
call for our better minds, our more influential workers to give most
earnest attention to these matters. We should here make a great effort
for improvement; an effort entered into by ministers of religion and
those of justice, legislators and all. Woman, also, should come to the
help.

As now managed our jails are prolific schools of crime. The old,
hardened offender and the young, in comparative innocence, are huddled
together, the latter to be taught in deeds of wrong and adroit methods
of performing them of which he had never dreamed before; instruction
that, perhaps, fires his mind to enter these ways of sin as a business
for life. Does not