38 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan. 6

part of the Boards of Managers of the various institutions in
realizing the seriousness of their problem and giving to it that
human touch and consideration which had theretofore been
lacking. They have awakened to a knowledge of the impor-
tance of the trust in their keeping, and now approach the ques-
tions in a generous way, as well as with an increased knowl-
edge of the subject. It has ceased to be a perfunctory per-
formance and is now one fraught with thought and kindness,
with due regard to the welfare of the prisoner and his reclama-
tion as an asset to society, as well as the State's interest in the
punishment of offenders.

ADVISORY BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLE.

The Advisory Board of Pardons and Parole while of great
assistance to the Governor in cases coming before him for par-
dons and parole, is so limited in power as to prevent it being
the real factor for service which would be possible were its
functions enlarged and its powers increased. The success of a
Board of this kind is dependent largely upon the ability of its
investigators and their knowledge of the subject with which
they are called upon to deal.

I would suggest that the appointment of the members of the
Board, as well as their investigators, should be vested in the
Governor, because it is the result of their investigation which
must come to him for final determination, and he should feel a
confidence in the character of their labor, which must neces-
sarily be lacking if they are answerable to others and not to
him for the reliability of their report.

INDETERMINATE SENTENCE.

In this connection, it might be well to call the attention of
the General Assembly to the importance of permitting the
courts to have the power of exercising what is known as the
indeterminate sentence, or a general law which would make
all sentences indeterminate.