Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-11-14

1t will be recollected by many of our read
ers that the affairs of this Institution were ex-
amined last summer and certain charges that
were preferred against it by one Hunt, for
mer inmate, investigated by special commit
tee of the legislature. The committee spared
no time or labor for a thorough investigation.
Since the legislature adjourned report has
been drawn up by DR.. Simonton, one of the
committee, which the Augusta Age says
"gives the import of the charges, the substance
of the mass of loose and conflicting testimony
adduced in support of them, and the action had
thereon by the committee at its numerous sit
tings, covering over period of several weeks,
with clearness and succinctness, accompanied
by general observations and suggestions upon
the management of the institution, of an enlight-
ened and practical character.
The committee declare all the principal char
ges brought against the institution to have been
unsupported by the evidence. In respect how
ever to the treatment of patients, by attendants
at the Hospital, The committee express the opin-
ion that abuses, in some instances, have been
the officers of the institution; but in every in
stance where such abuses have come to their
knowledge the attendants implicated, have been
promptly dismissed
On the proposition covering the whole list Of
charges SO far as The officers are concerned,
viz Has there been any evidence that impli-
Gates the officers in wrong doing, unless the re-
tention of Simon S. Bartlett should be so con-
strued the vote of the committee stood, two
yeas, seven nays. The report concludes by
saying
The committee would say that they have
given the most ample opportunity to the
compainants TO he heard. Ii was managed
on their side by able counsel, and the resour.
ces Of The State we're placed N their disposal
for acquiring proof. And 10 insure the free
est and fullest investigation, witnesses were
allowed 10 testify who would have been ex-
cluded from courts Of justice. boIh as 10 the
witnesses aud The matters testified Of. And
none, 1t is believed, who have witnessed The
patient sttinss OF the committee, Will accuse
Them OF uniaIrness and Partially. The In.
sane Hospital is an institution in which the
whole people have a deep interest," they
erected it-theIr means sustain ii. To them
II was due TO know whether these means
have been well or otherwise bestowed
Is. Then, the Maine Hospital worthy the
continued care and confidence of the people?
Has this long and aruous investigation
revealed ii as sale and suitable retreat for
ri
the committee. And while on the one hand
as in all delegated trusts, the people should
be ever vigIlant TO discover, and prompt to
punish, the violation OF those trusts, so OH
the other they should see TO il that supersti-
ton nor ignorance, nor envy, nor ambition
nor any evil power, shall write rum upon lis
walls, 10 blast forever the hopes of the unior
Gunate. These institutions, wherever the
light Of civilization fingers, arise as the grear
moral and social land marks of the age; and
it becomes the duty OF the friends of human
ily TO raise their voice against each rule
hand lifted, whether through passion or The
zeal that is without knowledge 10 destroy
them!
To suppose that these institutions arc per-
feet, either in their mechanical arrangements,
in the laws which govern them, in the ad-
minisrraion of those laws, or in their opera
tons generally, and therefore are free from
cause of complaining is TO suppose that
science and art, and human nature, have at
tanned that perfection which belongs alone
10 The ETERNAL
Upon the worlds astonished attention
every day is crowdiug some new discovery
in science, some new invention in the arts.
to elevate and Improve the CONDITION OF man;
so shall this and all similar inSiitufions
catching The swift, beams of improvement, If
nurtured and sustained in their high and no.
y vocation, exert YET wider and more per-
ect usefulness, TO bless class of beings,
whose unfortunate condition claims, as no
mortal eloquence can plead, our generous
care and commiseraIon.