THE PRISONS BILL.
[TO TRH EDITOR OF Tall SPBOTATOE.1 Silt,--Mr. Cross's Bill has many features in it worthy of con- sideration and public support, but unfortunately, in its present form, it inflicts a heavy blow and great discouragement to those magistrates who have been the pioneers and warm supporters of those useful associations known as " Discharged Prisoners' Aid Societies," which have been so highly approved in the columns of the Spectator. County magistrates, generally speaking, have no desire to be ignored, and their suggestions set at nought by well- paid Government officials. Unless some encouragement is held out by the Government to induce the magistrates to continue their hitherto-recognised and useful prison labours, a large proportion of them will throw up office.
When we see Mr. Barham Baker, the enlightened Gloucester- shire magistrate, expressing so unfavourable an opinion of this Prison scheme of reform, there can be little or no chance of its receiving the sanction of Parliament in the present Session.— I 02, Sir, &c., A SOMERSETSMEE MAGISTRATE.
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