The important point is that the state, or in Prussia the county, can organize and operate its institutions for vagrants and mendicants independent of petty local prejudices or ignorance, and regardless of pernicious political influences. If the state concludes to institute in its labor colonies or other institutions an innovation or a method well tested elsewhere, it has the power. As with us in New York, state institutions are in general far better managed than the local institutions, so in European countries I visited the principle of state control and operation of all correctional institutions is held to be fundamentally correct. If in Prussia the local institutions were poorly managed, undoubtedly the state would seek to step in and take over the management of these institutions. Briefly then, it can be stated that state control and operation of institutions for the treatment of vagrants and tramps is a principle justified by European experience. 2. In all European countries visited, I found a most admirable absence of political influence. Repeatedly it was impressed upon me by high authorities that politics play no deleterious part in the appointments of officials, high or low, in the course of justice. To be sure each country has its political parties, but the integrity of men in office is, I was informed, rarely if ever questioned. Positions such as secretary-general of the department of justice, which office carries with it in Holland and Belgium the administration of prisons and other correctional institutions, or that of the head of the Prussian prison system, or that of chairman of the prison commissioners of England or Scotland is practically a position of life tenure, during good behavior. Governors and directors of prisons, and subordinate officials as well, hold office without fear of removal for any cause except dereliction of duty, incompetency or immorality. Frequently indeed was the plea made to me: “Urge above all things the removal of American prisons from politics.” In short, the type of prison employee from governor down to the list of attendants is, from the standard of integrity, admirable in all countries I visited. That such conditions make for good service through the elimination of the worry as to tenure and through the elimination of voluntary or compulsory dishonesty under the pressure of political influences is self-evident.