Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-13
s25 900. the next year it is twice the amount,

S25 200, the next year it is twice the amount,
ana so on.
hope, gentlemen, that you will understand
me, that do not raise serious opleetions W
the purposes of this institution, its benevoient
character. l do not want to place myself I'D
that situation, but do say, that We may YET
see the time when such a State institution Is
demanded, and we shall be in better cohoi-
tiou to see to it, That is my ground.
Now in regard to the vagrapcy and THESE
instances of vagrancy to which our attention
has been called by the gentleman from Caisis
(Certhell) in his very eloquent and touchine
remarks, | admit that he appealed TO my
synpathies; that he wrought me up to that
pitch in looking over my own 1amhy Circle
when felt that could not say one woro
but INV better judgment came back to me and
| took the floor. Now in regard to these
causes of vagrancy, l apprehend that they
are to-day in great degree within the con-
troll of the people of this state. Nine cases
out of ten where in these thickly settled VII
lagos and cities Migrants are running IN
the streets, the cause is with the parents, and
those parents can be held under control.
When we look over the statistics in this State
and in other States, we find that every crime
has its cause, and in nineteen cases OF crihi-
nality and vagrancy out of twenty, rum IL Tue
cause. And in the city of CALAIS, 10 the CITY
of Portland, and in the cities OF Lewiston
and Auburn, to-day, if the laws already upon
the statute book were enforced with vlgor
which their merit demands, tell you the
number of Migrants would be few, and these
bells, of which the gentleman complains
would he fewer still. The trouble is, we are
lax in the enforcement of the law; and. tax
ing one view of it-slthough do not want to
contine myself to that view alone-we might
as well allow free rum to run over this State,
and establish an asylum for inebriates, as to
allow, in these manufacturing villages, street
walkers to go without restraint, intermlnehns
with all grades of society. Why don't the
officers of the law control these causes of va
grancy and crime? Why don't you clean out
your rum shops in the State, that carry
more suffering to the homes OF the inebriate
than this institution can possibly benent
Why let these larger places, these popular
resorts, keep bar with one hundred decan-
tiers and a clerk to deal it out3 Why suffer
these little dens of iniquity to exist. that un.
der the law can be squelched and driven outf
Ii we were active in the discharge OF our du-
ties as State officers and the guardians OF the
rights of the our citizens, in enforcing the law
controlling the sale of alcoholic liquors. shut
ting up these dens of vice and iniquity, and
stopping the running at large Of this class OF
persons, one of which my brother Corthell says
does more damage than ten boys, then should
we see change for the better IN the morals OF
the people. Ii We clesnse the stable thoroughly
we shall strike at the root OF this tree. Ii
there are other causes which we cannot con-
troll and the fnancial condition OF our State
Will allow us safely to do it with view to
success, then / will hold up my hands, If
need be, for the establishment OF an institu-
ton Of this character or any other that has IN
view the reformation of this unfortunate
class. When such time comes as that all
alike shall bear the burdens of public ex-
pense and our people feel confidence in the
administration of our public affairs which
such a condition will inspire, then. and not
until then, will their interest be united and I'M
divided in every great work tending to in
crease our moral, intellectual and material
prosperity as State. Then will the great
current of public sentiment in carrying for
ward every enterprise in the interest OF hu-
mainly guarantee success-bringng all our
important institutions from q condition of
prostration and inactivity, for want of gener-
Gus material support, into = healthy. active
vigorous life-sources of happiness to our
people and honor to the State. Then, Mr..
Speaker, / pledge my earnest efforts and
the hearty cooperation of my constituency
in the establishment OF this and all similar
institutions.
NorE-The action Of the House was ad-
verse 10 the bill. REPORTER.