Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity; . he Worcesterprison was greatly enlarged, and after its comple-tion General Sprague gave to all the details of prisonmanagement his close personal attention, enteringupon a work which was justly regarded as a publicbenefit, and a pronounced advance in the improve-ment of modern prisons. He revised the entiresystem of accounts keeping, and introduced innova-tions which at once conduced to the comfort of theprisoners and awoke in them a sens
Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity; . he Worcesterprison was greatly enlarged, and after its comple-tion General Sprague gave to all the details of prisonmanagement his close personal attention, enteringupon a work which was justly regarded as a publicbenefit, and a pronounced advance in the improve-ment of modern prisons. He revised the entiresystem of accounts keeping, and introduced innova-tions which at once conduced to the comfort of theprisoners and awoke in them a sense of gratitudeto him and respect for themselves which found ad-ditional fruits in improved morale and more effi-cient discipline. In both prisons under his con-trol (at Fitchburg as well as at Worcester) hedid away with the shaving of heads and the wear-ing of parti-colored garments, believing them to beunnecessary indignities imposed upon short-termprisoners. Food of better quality, in greater variety,and prepared under the best hygienic methods, wasprovided, and at less cost than that of an inferiorquality. Better clothing and bedding were provided,. WORCESTER COUNTY 45 ind the library was largely increased with books. General Spragues efforts, inany ofhem innovations, were so highly appreciated by thelommissioners of prisons that they gave warm ex-)ressions to their commendation in their annual re-jorts, pronouncing the Worcester count} prisonshe model prisons of the commonwealth. Addi-ional appreciation was expressed by Governor Long,vho urged General Spraguc to accept the appoint-nent of warden of the state prison, but he was sonterested in his work in the Worcester county)rison that he declined. • General Spraguc has also rendered useful servicen both branches of the municipal govtrnment. InDecember, 1895, he was elected mayor of Worcester,uid was re-elected the following year, his term ofjffice being thus extended to January, 1898. His ad-ninistration
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