The Portland daily press., 1874-03-26
The States Opportunity,

To the Editor of the Press:
In an article under this caption, few days
since, the subject of a new asylum for the in
sane was discussed, and one view therein ex-
pressed, doubtless reflected the sentiments of a
very large portion of the people of the State,
namely, that it would be altogether unwise
to extend the present buildings at Augusta, or
to erect others in the immediate vicinity.
Aside from the many inconvenience resulting
from the location which are toe well known
to discuss here, are many others which have
not so generally been brought to view. Among
these is the very important fact that it is I'M
wise to bring too large number of the insane
together as they affect one another unfavora.
bly,. Even where intercourse is not allowed,
many patients are unfavorably affected by the
proximity of others similarly diseased, a fact
which cannot always be explained except on
psychological grounds; but that such is the
fact is well known and attested by eminent
authority There are already too many
congregated at Augusta, and to bring
more together would defeat the object
of ali asylum, which the public I'M
derstand is to benefit the insane rather
than a locality or interested individuals Econ
omy, which by the way is nowadays the saving
of money, is doubtless an object of great i'm
portance, but, in this case, it must be seconda-
ry, the primary being the benefit Of the insane.
Many speakers and writers on this subject re-
Gently, seem to have entirely ignored this fact,
and, like Dickens manager of paupers, seem
to think that to save money is the main thing.
Now, if this is so, why have the modern ap-
plances for treating the insane? Why not save
this needless expense, and crowd them into the
most economical space possible to existence?
This might save dollars but surely, would not
subserve the end for which such institute on $
are founded, which is to restore those mentally
sick, to health. But,lthat building farther at
Augusta is economical, is a grave error. Even
on economical grounds alone, the project she s!s
| not meet with favor. The mere cost of Sue
| is of slight Importance; the cost of materials
and above all accessibility being greater The
main point, after all, is in management az
ter completion, which is better, secured by
competition than by any other means.
Ii the insane business is monOpolized by
one mammoth establishment, there is no
| cnance for comparison OF cost OF malnte-
| nance, as there would be if there were several
located in different sections of the State, where
| IN healthy spirit OF emulation might be fos-
| tered, and by comparison, not only economy of
| administration secured, but many important
benefits to patients promoted. -Four principal
| things are at present advocated by those who
| have made the treatment of the insane study,
viz: an elevated situation; extended aud cheer
full views; plenty OF shade, sunlight and NOV
| ing air, and retirement from the hustle and &C
tivity of the world. No place is now consider
ed suitable for an asylum for the insane, which
does not combine all OF these advantages, and,
| added to these, it is considered of great impor
lance that agricultural occupations should be
| carried on around the patients, and that the
| presence of domestic animals is highly benef
cial Light agricultural employment in itself
| IS often of importance to the patients, To place
| the insane man amid the peaceful and soothing
| surroundings of pastoral life, furnishes the
| best medicine within reach to restore him to a
| sound condition. In the article allnded to, the
United States Marine Hospital was mentioned
as suitable spot; but, even if this could be OBJ
| tained-and the Government ought not surely
| to give it up, nor ought Portland to be willing
that it should-the location is not all that could
be desired. 1t is not as accessible as it should
be and has not the appropriate surroundings.
Really, no place which has been mentioned Of
fers all of the advantages SO completely as Wal
nut Hill Farm in Gorham, which was offered
last winter by Mr.. Baxter This place
contains somewhat over hundred acres.
and occupies an elevated position mid
within about eighty rods of the crossing
of the Portland and Rochester Railroad, where
| station could be had. 1t is approached by
an avenue of magnificent old trees, and offers
shade, sunshine, and breeze in abundance and
some of the most charming views in Cumber-
land county. Tue farm is of the best, and can
be mace by the cultivation of sweet corn es-
pecially which finds an unlimited sale in the
vicinity, and the production of milk, very
| important source of income. An abundance of
foundation stone and of fuel is on the place.
1t has an inexhaustible supply of pure water
| from Sebago Lake: is surrounded by popuous
villages, and within mile of extensive lumber
mills and brick yards. The mere cost of the
farm is OF small importance and it would seem
that everything pointed to this place as the
most suitable, and, indeed, by far the most
| economical that can be obtained
| 1t is stated, moreover, that the towns of
| Westbrook and Gorham would, doubtless, if
required, subscribe half enough at least to pur-
| chase the property which has been offered at a
| very reasonable price, and, it is to be hoped,
that So excellent an opportunity to secure so
desirable location for an asylum may not be
allowed to pass unimproved. A.
News and Other Items
Time is money; but scarcely as much SO as
butter and gas.
Horace Gleeleys estate will after all yield
about $125,OOO.
Mrs. Attorney General Williams is quite i'll,
being Frustrated by nervousness for the third
Iime SLICE ner nuSDanu reJecGOn as cnleI
| justice,
He had just paid his quarterly gas bill, and
| he remarked ruefully, but with a circumlOcu-
| ton eminently statesmanlike, "By Jove! If
had $40, 900 cow, and the COW should die
would be within exactly twenty-five cents of
absolute and uncomfortable poverty. "-Roches-
| ter Democrat.
Speaker Blaine's parliamentary rulings have
never been reversed on the smallest point dur
ing the five years that he has presided over the
House, On Saturday afternoon the Hon. Sam
Randall, Democratic representative from
Philadelphia, undertook to call aruling of the
day previous in question, coupling Herewith an
issue of fact. He met with most signal de-
feat, the Speaker being fully sustained, not
only by the rules of the House, but by the re-
cords of the journal, both of which were ap-