The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-01-26

cEar&ts against Inc lOSplldli aHu calling upon
the committee to recommend a hearing iu the
Representatives Hall on the modern treat
ment of the insane by some of the leading
reformers in Massachusetts and New York.
among whom she named Wendall Phillips
and Others as suitable persons to enlighten the
people of Maine.
On motion of ex-Gov. Morrill, the letter was
tabled.
The Herald Augusta communication was
then read by the chairman and on motion of
DR. Eaton was tabled.
An invitation was then extended to any
one present so make any statements or prefer
any charges against the hospital or its manage
ment
1t was stated by the reporter of the Kenne-
bee Journal that he had been reliably inform
ed that the author of the Herald letter was
Mrs. A. A. Chevaillier.
Senator Hill of the committee remarked
that he considered the Herald letter disgrace.
full and that the author should be brought be-
fore the committe and reg uired to prove the
charges contained thereof.
Gov. Morrill, of the committee replied that
the Herald communication not being signed by
worthy of the attention of the committee.
Mrs. Whidden, on being called upon, freely
and fully stated her experience as an officer of
the institution. She said that she had visited
the institution at odd times without the knowl-
edge of her presence on the part of its officers,
and that she was free to state that in her opin-
ion the patients were humanely treated, the
institution well managed and everything pos
sible was done to relieve the unfortunate
wards of the State. With good deal of feel
ing she stated to the committee that being
obliged to place in some asylum near rela-
tive, she made a careful examination of large
number of the leading asylums of the country
and, as the result, had her relative placed I'M
der the care of DR.. Harlow, fully convinced
that her relative would receive better care and
treatment in our Maine asylum than else
where.
Chairman Pattangall asked her to state free
| ly her opinion of Mr.. Lakin's capacity as an
officer and of his conduct as gentleman.
Mrs. Whidden stated that she had the high
est opinion of Mr. Lakin as an officer and as a
gentleman, and that she felt highly indignant
on reading the Herald communication reflect
ing on him.
DR.. Eaton, of the commi ttee, asked ner as
to the propriety of having female physician
| in the hospital.
Mrs. Whidden, in reply, said that she en-
tered upon her duties at the hospital fully inn
pressed with the idea that such a physician
would be of great benefit to the institution;
that she had freely conversed with many of
the female patients competent to talk about
such matters, and made a memorandum of
| their views some of which she read to the
committee. She stated that in her opinion
ninety-nine in one hundred of all female pa
tients would prefer male physician, and that
she was now forced to the conclusion that it
was best not to have female physician.
Mrs. Quinby being called upon, and being
asked by the chairman as to her views of Mr..
Lakin, said substantially that she regarded him
as an efficient officer; that the charges made
against him in the Herald letter were untrue
and uncalled for, and that she, herself, knew
nothing about them until they appeared. In
answer to several questions by differen mem
bers of the committee, she stated that she had
no fault to find with the management of the
hospital; that the officers, and especially DR..
Harlow, always received her suggestions cour-
teously and Immediately acted upon them;
that in some particulars she did not consider
that the hospital was up to the
standard of some others she had examined, and
expressed to the committee her we'll known
views on the cottage system, female physician
and water question, in which she differed from
her associates on the board of trustees. She
stated in answer to question by chairman
Pattangall that she considered three physicians
necessary, one of whom should be woman
but that she voted to retain DR.. Neal. suppos-
ing that the present board would not employ a
woman physician. She stated that her official
relations with her associates had been very
pleasant that they treated her courteously,
and that she fully agreed with them in their
last report. except on such matters as she had
indicated in the report.
Capt. Lakin was questioned at length re-
specting the financial management of the in
stitution and his frank and modest answers
seemed to make favorable impression.
Gov. Morrill, in asking him a question said:
Mr.. Lakin, as a man of good standing and
good Judgment here, this committee would
like your opinion on certain business matters
under discussion.
Capt. Lakin made satisfactory answers, Civ
ing his opinion as to what he considered nee
essary changes, and said that during the past
five years there had been expended annually
$4,000 for extraordinary improvements, with
out calling upon the legislature for any ap-
preparation for the same.
DIR. Cakes and Mr.. Manley of the trustees
exhibited to the committee plans for new
building authorized by the last legislature,
stating that in their opinion if the limit for
the same (of $4,000 made last wiHter was
changed to $4,000, and the legislature should
make small appropriation to complete the
needed improvements already commenced,
that the trustees could complete the new bu lid
ing ready for occupancy by next September,
and have the hospital in better condition than
ever.
On motion of Senator Hill, it was unani-
mously voted by the committee to recommend
that the legislature amend the law of last year
by fixing the limit for the new building at
1924 900 instead of $4,000.
1t is the intention of the committee, which
is composed of men Of the strictest integrity
and high standing, to fully investigate all mat
tiers relating to the management of the hos
pital, and to probe to the very bottom all
charges made against it, The fact that no one
appeared before the committee today to sus-
tain the rumo-s which have been circulated,
or to even countenance them, is significant.
TO the Associated Press)
The Judiciary Committee considered this af-
ternoon the proposition for a law to prevent ac-
cidents on railroad trains by persons jumping
on or off while the trains are in motion, but ar
| rived at no decision.
The committee will report a resolve in favor
| of binding and indexing deeds and other prop
| erty in the land office.
Legislation inexpedient on the law to pre-
vent double taxation.
A bill organizing the Norombega Sporting
| Association and the Maine Sporting Assoca
ton will be reported.
At the next meeting bill will be reported
relating to abatement of taxes, that taxes shall
not be abated unless application be made in
writing.
The Railroad Committee voted to report a
| bill to reorganze the Portland & Rochester r..
| b. allowing the scaling down of capital stock.
The railroad taxation bill is assigned for Feb.
10th.
SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE.
o1 o+obt IN ba