The Portland daily press., 1869-06-19
Report STATE or n Genernl Hospital.


The Committee on State General Hospi-
tai beg leave to say that they have but little
to add to the general considerations and pur-
poses embodied in the report presented at the
last meeting of the Association,-copies of
which are now before you. t.lst I+I N
An informal meeting OF the Corporators re-
siding in this city, preliminary 10 pSrma-
nent organization, has been held, at which
there was free and full interchange OF views
upon all matters bearing upon the interests OF
this enterprise.
The important question for their consider
alton and decision was aud IS, when to COM
mence active operations.
The CorporatOrs, as you are aware, are
, most of them gentlemen of wealth, Of high
social position, and OF extended influence in
me State. They feel a strong personal inter-
esI In behalf OF this charity, and, am happy
70 assure You, have no misgiyns as to our ul-
timate success.
In their Judgment our true policy lies in
perfecting within few weeks an organization
agreeably to the provisions of cur Charter,
and soon thereafter, in the early autumn, to
commence work; believing that the financial
condition of this city and OF the State will
then authorize us to ask for aid, with rea-
sonable expectation of success.
Our capitalists are ready to meet us, at the
proper time, with the promptness and liber-
atty which have ever characterized them in
the past, especially in all objects connected
with the public good. ...a.l ESQ., .. i1
| But, Mr.. President, large as the subscrip-
tions may be which we hope TO receive from
F! that source, we must bear in mind the inn
| portant fact that our main dependence for
| success rests upon the industrial classes OF
society, who will be the largest recipients ol
the benefits of such an Institution, and to
whom, as experience has ever shown, we
shall not appeal in vain.
mechanic, the artisan, the clerk, from those
| who have not permanent homes, and, Indeed,
| from almost any concitiOn of societp-and
| / would not excuse the children eyep--
| viii swell the aggregate amount to an extent
| which perhaps we cannot now fully realize.
| You are aware Mr.. President, that eontribu-
lions ranging from fifty cents and less to five
thousand dollars, laid the foundation and Sc
! cured the completion OF the Massachusetts,
| General Hospital. The same may be said OF
| other great charities, not the immediate off
| spring of private mlmihcence.
! THE example of our Catholic friends In this
| respect Is worthy of our imitation. All
large enterprises In that denomination are
| accomplished almost by contributions oi pen
infes.
| Take, for instance, the magnificent cathe-
| dfal in this city, now nearly completed,
which, in imposing architecture and rich sur
l roundin9s. is not surpassed by any structure
/ in the State. Whence came the means Tor
erecting this costly edifce? The question is
easily answered. / am informed that almost
| every working man and woman at service, be-
longing to this diocese which, extending over
! the entire states OF Maine and New Hamp-
shire, comprises large Catholic population,
1 contributes cheeriully, as a religions duty,
twenty-five cents a month on the average, or
three dollars year, towards delraying its cost,
and allowing twenty thousand paying mem
bers in the diocese--whlch is believed TO be a
low estimate--the large sum OF sixty thou
i sand dollars in the aggregate is secured from
this source in single year. Let us bring the
matter nearer home-tO ourselves, The
number OF regularly educated physicians in
the State exceeds five hundred, and hall OF
lthem or more are members Of this Associa-
tibn. SO .i s.aieA 1pE
i Can we not confidently promise ourselves
tile sympathy and aid of three hundred
in behalf OF State General Ho pltal-and
is there one of that number who would not
4 give cheerfully FIVE dollars, and be willing TO
pledge himself to find five, twef ty-6ve, fifty,
or one hundred others, according to the ex-
l tent of his diocese, If may use that express
\ sion, who would contribute certainly an equal
amount? Our State population comprises
about seven hundred thousand inhabitants,
and will it be considered extrayagant to as
sumo that, with proper ehofts, six thousand
may be secured? What then? The Thirty
thousand dollars, il obtained from this source,
| with the larger contributions from our
| wealthy fellow citizens, and the aid we shall
receive from the State, would enable US to
, enter upon the prosecution of the work.
n Why, Mr.. President, If our necessities
should compel us to resort TO such proceed
ure, which we do not anticipate, your COM
} mittee feel confident, that apart from other
, | instrumentalities, sufficient enthusiasm could
be awakened among the children OF this city
! through the Sabbath Schools and church. S to
! which they belong, to make them ready con-
: tributors TO this charity. And in city ol
, | more than thirty thousand inhabitants little
, | computation viii show the large sum which
might be realized in a single year by contri
| bufions of pennies from the children.
But will not pursue the subject further.
q In the foregoing remarks, which are
I intended to be merely suggestive, and supple
81 mentary to our report Cf last year, have
briefly and imperfectly indicated the policy
: we propose to pursue, and the sources ffon
: which we hope to obtain the means for th,
accomplishment of this important object
! | Whether the latter are well founded or no
! you are competent to decide.
( cannot conclude this brief report, Gentle
men. without reaffirming, that for success
! ful issue much will depend upon the individ
| ual efforts of the physicians of the State
| And permit me to say in this connection
/, that in our u6Semenis we have yet to Learn
the influence and soKer which by combined
, 1 and earnest effort in .sny worthy cause we
as profession, can ever. exert IN any oommu
nifty. y. .asi..l.a.
t Let us see to it when the time shall come
for simultaneous action, that this noble en-
terprise having Tor one OF its objects the adj
vancement OF our profession, and which,
. reaching in its beuifeent influence every
condition of society presents pre-eminent
5 claims for public sympathy and support, does
| not fail for want of nroner INTEREST and axer-