things and treacherous cups before him. Is it a wonder that he does not walk forth at once a strong man? Can it be doubted, that the chances are that he will straightway fall into excess and crime, instead of becoming a useful member of society? Prudence, no less than humanity, demands of the Commonwealth that it thrust not thus the weak into tempta tion. If any out of the number thus discharged should, with an honest purpose, seek employment, he cannot, in the winter-season, work in the suit furnished him on leaving the prison, nor can he at any season work without tools. But he has no money to purchase either; nor has the agent, under the present law, the means, or, as it is understood, the power, to furnish them for him. The practical application of the law in this particular, during the past year, has demonstrated the necessity of enlarging both the means and the powers of the agent. That spirit, on the part of the Commonwealth, which opens the paths of sobriety, of industry and comfort, to this class, taking upon itself anew the duties and rights of citizenship, and holds out, to the weak and hesitating, inducements and allurements to enter and secure their fruits, is founded alike in benevolence and wisdom. In this spirit, and by the aid of private contributions, which have formed much the larger part of the means by which it has been effected, much good has already been done by the agent. Much more could and ought to be done. In recommending an increase of expenditure, the committee do not wish to take away the necessity of private benefaction or coöperation, but merely that the Commonwealth may hereafter bear some just proportion of the great work of preserving its own children from crime, and of protecting society from the criminal. They, therefore, recommend the passage of the accompanying Bill. For the committee, H. L. DAWES. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and FortyEight. AN ACT In addition to "An Act relating to Discharged Convicts.' BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: 1 SECT. 1. In addition to the duties of the agent, 2 prescribed in the first section of the one hundred and 3 seventy-sixth chapter of the statutes of the year one 4 thousand eight hundred and forty-five, entitled "An 5 act relating to discharged convicts," it shall hereafter 6 be the duty of such agent to furnish such discharged 7 convicts, as may seek his aid, with clothing, board, 8 and tools suitable for their employment, whenever 9 and in the manner he 1 may deem proper and expedient. SECT. 2. Said agent shall keep an account of the 2 time employed and money expended, in the perform3 ance of the duties of his office prescribed in this act 4 and the act to which this act is in addition, and pre 5 sent the same to the inspectors of the state prison, 6 and their approval thereof shall entitle him to receive, 7 from the treasury of the Commonwealth, a sum not 8 exceeding six hundred dollars per annum, for which 9 the governor is requested to draw warrants from time 10 to time. 1 SECT. 3. All acts, or parts of acts, inconsistent 2 herewith, are hereby repealed. 1 SECT. 4. This act shall take effect from and after 2 its passage. HOUSE.....No. 41. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and FortyEight. AN ACT For the Protection of Pigeon Beds. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: 1 SECT. 1. If any person shall, by firing guns, or by 2 other means, attempt to drive pigeons from beds made 3 for the purpose of taking them in nets, at any time. 4 between the first day of June and the first day of 5 November, except on lands owned or occupied by 6 himself, he shall forfeit and pay to the owner or occu7 pant of such lands, or to the owner or occupant of |