The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-03-03
Letter from Augusta.
Especial Correspondence of the Journal

lopeCldl correspondence OF the journal.
AUGUSTA, March l, 1881.
All material, temporal things must come to an
end, and so have hope that the present generation
will live to the termination of the Insane Hos
pital investigation large number of witnesses
have been heard on both sides. Orville d. Baker
of Augusta, than whom the State has not produc-
ed more clear-headed reasoner, has conducted
the examination for the Hospital; while Charles
G. Fall, sharp young lawyer from Boston, has
been employed in the interests of examination
These lawyers have often left their witnesses sus.
pended in md-air, while they have literally in
dulged in tits on legal points. These episodes
have served to keep the committee and large audi
ence in attendance from ennui, and given illustra-
tons of intellectual and legal combats. The com
mittee before whom the investigation is held, and
who are receiving a suflciency of punishment in
this world to relieve them from any responsibility
concerning the next, is strong one Captain Pat
tanga the black haired gentleman who sits at the
head OF the table, is type of the stephen Douglass
style of men. He is grand fellow, with abundant
resources of reasoning powers, who would go out in
to the widest storm to help friend but to the
evil doer upon whom those black eyes flash with
fiery Indignation If you don't like Pattanga turn
round and look at the beamng, benevolent, beaute-
Gus face of DR.. Eaton. He looks like one who be
ieycth all things and hopeth all things against the
hoepital) After hearing his sudden question, which
almost took away the breath of Il Witness "Whats
the cause Of insanity? one is almost tempted to
grasp this benignant doctor by the hand, with
"Good morning, Mr.. PickWick, how's your folks -
senator Hill is blunt outspokcn, knd-healted
man, who can't bear to either side abused. The
venerable Arson j. Morrill,, the first temperance
Governor of Maine, with whtened hair, which to
him is a crown of honor, sits near the head of the
table, listening patiently to the testimony OCCASION
ally asking question that means a good deal. Dr..
Wentworth, although biz fellow is conspicuous
by his absence. Dir. Linscott, the youngest mem
Der of the committee is said to have practice
than any other physician in Franklin county. Goss
of Auburn, is a man of splendid judgment, who
weighs we'll the testimony. The other members
are Sargent of Sedgwick Marble of Paris and Dud-
ley of Ar0ostook intelligent, discerning men. Any
cause would be safe in the hands of such Il commit
tee. have no doubt the committee are preiudiced
III favor of the hospital; and they ought to be. !
confess to the same feeling. An investigation SO
causeess is wicked. because it unnecessarily dis
turbs the public confidence in the institution.
have attended every meeting of the committee and
at through the weary hours of the entire invcsti-
CATION; and the eases of abuse brought forward by
discharged attendants which have not been ALSO
lutcly refuted by the other side are less numerous
and hagran than ought to be expected in an inati-
tuition that contains larger population than the
average town in Maine. | know not what the re
port of the commission will be- but know what it
ought to bc-that the charges brought against the
Maine Insane Hospital are ms'lstuned by the facts
4 it,tlif t,ot T..
of is found in the breaking out of the 'citihens'
movement" to control local politics in several of
the cities and larger towns 1t has made its appear
ancc in B'lleford as well As in Augusta. Here, it
pretends to the especial championship Of the tenn
perance cause, but when we look behind the scenes
find that its chief insprer is Il man who held a
lucrative city office for dozen years, and now
wants to be reinstated. He is fanked and backed
up by dozen more who want to be his deputies,
and the followers the soreheals of both parties.
Behind this movement and wishing it all manner of
success, i the Democratic party. And is it posi-
Bile, has the Democratic party become suddenly
transformed into the temperance party, and must
the Republican party take place in history she
rum party: think can see the lions teeth and
sharp claws beneath the lambs skin Did Won ever
notice that when men lose Office, ali at once
publican party has ended? | hope that the friend,
OF good government and good order will watch
these citizens movements and analyze them before
becoming ontrapped by the specious reasoning that
party lines may be snapped without danger at mU-
nicipal elections. You MAJ be putting cudgel
into the enemys hands with which to knock out
your brains Ifthe Republican partyca be trusted
on national concerns, it certainly can wthmmicpal
affairs.
The proposition to take a recess from March LIST
| to March I'D, meets with but slight favorable re-
Spouse, though the members living on the line OF
railroad, and active politicians who are anxious o
participate in the spring elections, would be glad
to have the recess granted. But the ''back seats
won't listen to it. They came here to get through
and want to hurry up their business and 20 home
Should there be no hitch in the Congressional ap
portionment, with the present industry the part
of the legislature, an adjournment cam easily be
reached by the 10Th. Never a more industrious leg
islature assembled beneath the dome of tbs
Capitol The committee work has been immense
and most eNacting, requiring not only afternoon
but evening sessions; and those who have beer
pressed into service on investigating committees
have had their hands fun The great bulk Of the
work has been ground out, leaving the ,locketS OF
the committees comparatively clear some OF tho
committees having reported finally and been dis
charged.
Mayor Nickery, who has been dangerously i'll
with a carbuncle on his neck, is improving rapidly
and will soon be able to attend his large publish
ing business. has five houses planned to be built
have no doubt of the mayors election. >ena
ton sherman of your county, has been granted
leave Of absence for the rest of the session. He
has not made single speech, but mas been faith
full worker; and although differ in politics from
both, can cheerfully say as much of his colleague
Mr.. SAILOR. The hotels and boarding houses have
for several days been filling up with the wives of
members, who have come with their "tne toggei'y'
to attend the grand legislative party. 1t viii be the
most brilliant assembly for years; and unless be
come completely dazed | shall have to tell youl
rSu.er. sonnet ing ahnut II n4At lyneL L.LAL,L.E