Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-17
4ailp &enrrebef Jonrnal.
Augusta, Thursday Morning. March II
Report on the Insane Hospital.

Report on the Insane Hospital.
The report of the COMMITTEES on the
Investigation of the Insane Hospital was
presented yesterday to the legislature. and
may be found in full on the first page of
this paper. The Committee held twenty
sessions in public. at which all persons
who had complaints or suggestions as to
the management Of the Hospital had full
liberty to be heard. The conclusion of the
Committee upon all points covered by the
investigation are as follows: They find
the wafer supply at present sufficient, and
being continually and effectually enlarged
They find the Hospital well managed.
in all respects, and pay high compli-
ment to the character and ability Of DIR.
Harlow under whose superintendency the
Hospital has been greatly enlarged and
prospered. They find no reliable evil
dence OF abuse of patients, and report
that they are we'll and humanity taken
care OF. The discipline is good. the food
better than the average Of people in the
State have, the Hospital well ventilated
and well guarded against fire. The in
stitution is open to the public every secu-
lar day of the week except Saturday. and
visitors are always welcome at such times.
No charge was made against the financial
management Of the institution, and no in
vestigation on that point was necessary.
but the Committee speak in high terms of
the efficiency OF Mr.. Lakin as Steward.
The Committee took pains to get opin-
ions from large number of other institu-
tons for the insane as to the ACCESSIBILITY
of employing a female physician. great
majority of which are opposed to such a
step. The facts will be found fully stated
in the report.
The charge made that attendants are
selected on political grounds is disproved.
No attendant is questioned as to pol
tics or religion. Men Of both political
parties are employed, fitness for the places
to be filled being the essential qualification
The lodge system is approved; the tales
Of cruelty IN connection with its use were
dissipated by the investigation.
In their closing remarks the Committee
very properly and severely condemn
the papers Of another State for the attempt
made by them through sensational and
baseless reports to inilame and prejudice
the public mind against the institution. II
is to be hoped those scavengers of the
newspaper press may receive some bene'
fit from the lesson. The people of Maine
have been Justly indignant at this base
and unwarranted interference from another
State in our affairs, and will be pleased to
notice the trenchant manner in which the
Committee has handled the matter.
The Committee have done full justice
to the institution and all persons con
cerned They listened long and patiently
and sought the best light they could OBJ
tain. The officers have been exonerated
from the charges made against them. As
evidence that the Committee are sustained
in their conclusions by the public, we may
add that the general voice of members
of the legislature is decidedly with them,
and the opinion prevails that the Hospital
stands decidedly better in the public est.
nation than before the investigation began
Whatever motives may have actuated
those who started the ball of investigation
in motion the results have been beneficial
Insane Hospitals as well as other public
institutions require strict supervision. but
il they are as well managed rs the Maine
Insane Hospital they can stand investiga'
ton and prosper upon it.
DR.. Eaton of Camden makes a minority
report. We Judge from this that he
places little confidence in the reports Of
abuses and mismanagement relating to the
Hospital. "a he dishes them up in a
facetious manner. rs becomes his oracle
the Boston Globe. in which his report was
published before it was presented to the
legislature. The chief features in his re-
port are advocacy of female physician
and the Cottage System in buildings fol
the insane.
Senator Dudley makes statement il
which he agrees in the main with the ma
.iority report. but suggests examination OF
the Cottage System and great care
to obtain kind and capable attendants.
The Legislature and the people of Maine
are thankful to the able committee on in
vestigation for the pains-taking. thor
ough. impartial manner in which they dis
charged their duties and for the fearless
and Just manner in which they have spo
ken in their report.
The vote on the bill to repeal the cider
and constabulary features of the prohibit
itory laws showed the following political
division on the question. Of those who
voted against repeal. 50 were republicans
Is fusionists. OF those who voted in favor
of repeal Is were republicans. rs fusion
lists. This is very significant indication
as to what party can be best depended
upon to sustain prohibition.
Liebig Cos Arnicsted Extract of witc b