DIRECTORS OF THE NORTHERN PRISON.
Mr. MAGEE called up another special order, being Mr. Hutchinson's bill [S. 50-see page 162 of the Brevier Reports] concerning the official terms of the Directors of the Northern Prison, the question being on its final passage in the Senate,
Mr. CAMPBELL said: My greatest objection to the passage of this bill is that it does nothing but perpetuate the life of the Directors who have been lately elected: and it makes no provision for ever electing anybody else to succeed them. When I offered the substitute for this bill (which was voted down) I incorporated therein the four-year term contemplated In the bill, thereby re-organizing and conceding the efficiency which may be gained by experience, and that a four years' term in office is desireable. I, however, desired that because of the value of experience, one of the present Incumbents may be retained for the two-year term, but this substitute was voted down. Notwithstanding this I till say I have no objection to extending the office of the Directors from two to four years, and should vote for tills bill if it was for that purpose and drafted to that effect, but it is not. The bill prolongs the term of office of the recently elected Directors, and nothing else. It snakes no provision for the election of any successors, and if it is contemplated that successors shall ever be elected, it gives no directions how, or for what length of time the successors are to be elected, and hence, if elected at all, it would have to be by the present law and for two years as now; and hence, while I would willingly vote for a bill making the Directors and their successors terms of office four years, I am opposed to this bill which has no object or effect except to prolong the terms of the present elected Directors, and theirs only.
The bill passed by yeas, 27; nays, 20.
