broad and deep foundation for a life of right.

Let these means be honestly and efficiently used, and they will most
powerfully influence to ways of goodness. None of them can be spared.
Each is a link in the chain which will be mighty to elevate the fallen.
And if one can not be reformed by them, it is proof positive that he
ought not to be at large.

What kind of prison officers are essential?

They should be of good moral character, ever setting proper examples
before the prisoners, humanely disposed, capable of complete
self-control, alive to efforts for reforming the inmates. Those more
especially charged with the administration of affairs will need, in
addition, to be good disciplinarians, studying the peculiarities of each
and endeavoring to heal the weaknesses of mind.

The warden should possess great breadth of mind and force of character;
be capable of bringing to his work large heart power; patient, yet
decided; abounding with humane instincts, yet capable of using sterner
means when essential; ever keeping wisdom at the helm, using true
discretion, and be controlled by a strong desire for the highest good
of all. He will be intent on studying how to address reform means to
each with a view to the greatest success. At the same time he should
look well to the true pecuniary interests of the institution.

The chaplain should be truly a man of God, enabled to bring large
mental, moral and religious force to his duties, and alive, heart and
soul, to the great work of raising up those under his care and
presenting them to the world redeemed and saved.

31. _The commutation system._ This is a system established by
legislative enactment a few years since; on condition of good behavior
and a faithful performance of duty in one, to grant him a specified
shortening in his term of sentence, and complete restoration to
citizenship.

It was really interesting to witness the effect of this provision on the
convicts, stimulating as it did their hope, and leading them to do the
best they could to obtain this much coveted boon. The case of one will
illustrate this feeling. He had been in the solitary, but did not seem
to mind his sufferings there in the least. His great anxiety was whether
he should lose his commutation. He suffered no little in mind in this
respect. Indeed, every day gave us a clear exhibition of the influence
this system had over the inmates' minds for good, helping the officers
greatly in kee