The Republican journal., 1881-02-10
Letter from Augusta.
Especial Correspondence of the Journal

Especial Correspondence OF the Journal
AUGUSTA. Feb. g. 1881.
If you want to excite people, just raise breath
of suspicion that all is not right at the Maine In
sane Hospital-that the water supply is short, the
fire escapes Inadequate or male attendant has
been huggng female attendant-and the whole
community is aroused from centre to circumfer-
ence. Recognizing the universal sensitiveness of
people concerning the unfortunate insane, how
wicked and malignant it is for any one to raise a
breath Of suspicion against the institution unless
the charges are well grounded. The committee on
Insane Hospital have held several sessions in a
packed committee room, trying if possible to see
what foundation there might be for the floating
rumors and newspaper gossip concerning the man.
agement of the Insane Hospital in Augusta. Per
haps it was well enough to follow up and ferret out
the story published in the Boston Herald; but it is
mighty small business to build up an investigation
on such slim foundation. The chief harangue be
fore the committee came from Dr. f. c. Neal, for
several years assistant physician at the institution
but recently discharged. The burden of his song
was, that by the laws the superintendent, Dr. liar
low, is made the head man. but by absolute practice
he is only playing second fiddle to the Steward and
Treasurer, Capt. c. b. Lakin; that if any Of the
help don't jbe right in with the captain, and carry
out his plans and purposes, they must "walk the
plank" that the doctor bends to the will of the
captain and cannot even order horse and carriage
without the captains consent. If what DR.. Neal
says is true, that ought to satisfy the public that
the Hospital is well managed In whatever regard
or vcneration ! may hold DR.. Harlow 4 kind
patient and experienced physician and Christian
gentleman, am conscious Of the fact that with his
other duties he cannot manage the affairs of the in
stituton which has grown to such huge proportions.
have no doubt that, i'll fact and in truth, Capt
Lakn is the head of the Hospital, and am glad of
it. A man of intniiVe insight, various knowledge
and activity like twenty-fou horse power
steam engine, he can scarcely he duplicated in
Maine. The Trustees could better permit the en-
tire medical stan to follow Dr. Neal into private
life than to lose the services of Capt. Lakin. am
glad that the investigation developed no i'll treat
ment to patients. have dwelt at length upon this
NATTER because know there are many families
in Maine who have Il sad interest in the Insane
Hospital
Alas for the poor mans triena," alas for the
pet lamb of the Fusion fold alas for the Fusion
candidate for Representative to Congress and for
Speaker of the House, alas for Thomas b. swan!
That's bird of i'll omen, that's bird that has be
foued its own nest The swindle of Thomas b.
Swan, member of the present House from Minot,
who reelected as "vin,lieation" of his course
last winter, las created i profound sensation here
On Friday, a yertabe specimen of the piece of iron
which he palmed of ON the farmers as a shelter
and the piece Of pine edging which he tried to make
them believe moving machine sharpener,
exhibited to the members of the Legislature,
who until then We're not aware of the complete rob-
berry praci-ed Nv this man Swan. Even the Flu
sionists have repucliatcd Swan, and are ready to
for his soul iii, former political friends hope that
he is
Way down upon the swan-ee river,
Far far away
And they sincerely hope he will stay there Fair
minded men, even in the Republican ranks, who
have been inclined to believe that Wallace II. White
paid Swan $ 900 To keep him away from the Fusion
House last winter, are ashamed of their posi-
ton, and see the great injustice they have done
White by the imputaton resting upon him. Well
do remember that memorable debate in the House
last winter, when swan with sham dimputlence
was pleading his superior virtue, Mr.. Suout, of
Portland, pointed his finger at Swan and said,
"1he gentleman will have enough of investigation
to satisfy him before this matter is finally settled
Ii was said by one of Old 'he sure thy sin will find
thee ont And tell him that the day of re ;koning
is coming" The words Of the eloquent gentleman
prophetic, and the day of solemn reckoning
ha, lawnetl. Swan is fugitive, running up and
down the face of the earth to escape his lust DOOM
His device for lefrau,iing the people was worse
than that Of the lankee, who for dollar, sent out
thT recipe, winch he intended as an answer to the
problem, GLOW to get Rch:" The answer was,
"Work like the devil all the time, and never spend
\ cent"
The number of prayers which go up to the capitol
are more numerous Just now than those which go
UP from the capitol to the Ruler of Legislatures. 1t
= not my purpose to cast any reflections upon the
religious character of Augusta, but to call attention
70 the multituieS Of petitions which have poured in
from all quarters Of this State upon this Legislature
As if conscious that they will not have an oppor-
tunty t" ask for any Uncomfortable and impractical
Die thing again ior two years, the inhabitants of
Maine have cyilcntly employed the long winter eve
nings in discussing what they could add to or sub
strart from The laws, and these Legislative "bees
have given birth to petition after petition and re
mon>ranre after rcmonstrance. Years ago the eff
feet of petition signed by respectable and inlluen-
ta citizens had great weight with our Legislators );
but now, like goasy please Matches there is little
too much OF a good thing. Vt the short notice of
an hour on two an active man will present you with
petition Of any required length, 'sold by the yard
ma'am.' on may have a petition for or a remon-
STRANGE against the migration Of birds, the rising of
the tide, tile 7hininy of the moon If the people
could really understand that this indiscrimnate pc
utlonng for nothing serves only to lessen the re
Spect legislators have for such documents, they will
see that in time all regard for good or bad requests
Will be destroyed: and they would be careful to ask
only for what they needed
The various committees are working under full
pressure, and turning OF heirreports with auClible
rapidity. of all the hearings, however, the most
interesting one was when Uncle Dudley, senator
from Aroostook, rode in before the Judiciary com
mittee on his much Worn hobby, Universal Suffrage
TO be sure lie was assisted by another chivalrous
knight, Or. Blackwell of Boston, vet Uncle Dud
was the central figure. At first he made a few
sharp thrust@ at senator Mortland-a member of
the committee-because that gentleman when Scna
tor Dudley first introduced the resolve for universal
suffrage i'll the Senate, moved to put the matter in
the hands Of the Judiciary committee, instead of Il
Joint committee, as the champion Of the fair sex
wished. The result OF these sharp thrusts was
that Senator Morand, after an unsuccessful at
tempt to Shut on the senator from Aroostook arose
i'll disgust took up his papers, and walked out. 1t
i due senator Dudley to say thar his cause was
ably presented by himself ami his associates
GEORGE.
FISH AND FISHING The Maine House has passed
to be engrossed an act for the protection Of trout
and landlocked salmon in kennebago and Range
Icy chain Of lakes and streams: an act for the pro