Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-04
The Insane Hospital.

The Augusta correspondent of the Belfast
Journal, writes as follows concerning the
present investigation of the Insane Hospital
All material, temporal things must come to
an end. and SO have hope that the present
generation will live to see the termination of
the Insane Hospital investigation. A large
number of witnesses have been heard on both
sides. Orville ID. Baker of Augusta, than
whom the State has not produced a more
clear headed reasoner. has conducted the ex-
animation 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
suspended in md-air, while they have
literally INDUCED in tits on legal points.
These episodes have served to keep the
committee and large audiences in attcn-
dance from ennui, and given illustrations
of intellectual and legal combats. The COM
mittee before whom the investigation is held,
and who are receiving sufficiency of pun
ishment in thisworld to relieve them from
any responsibility concerning the next, is a
strong one. Captain Pattangall, the black
haired gentleman, who sits at the head of the
table, is type of the Stephen A. Douglas
style of men. He is a grand fellow, with
abundant resources of reasoning powers who
would go out into the widest storm to help a
friend but woe to the evil dOer upon whom
those black eyes flash with frey Indignation.
If you don't like Pattangall, turn round and
look at the beaming, benevolent beauteous
face of DR.. Eaton. He looks like one who
believeth all things and hopeth all things
against the hospital.) After hearing his
sudden question, which almost took away the
breath of witness, - WHATS the cause
of inSdnitys' one is almost tempted to
grasp this benignant doctor by the hand,
with Good morning, Mr.. Pickwick, how's
your folks?" Senator Hill is a blunt, out
spoken. kind hearted man. who can't bear to
see either side abused. The venerable Arson
p. MOorill, the first temperance Governor of
Maine. with whitened HAIR which to him is a
crown Of honor. sits near the head of the ia
BILE, listening patiently to the testimony, oc-
casionally asking question that means a
good deal. DIR. Wentworth. although big
fellow, is conspicuous by his absence. DR..
Linscott. the youngest member of the COM
mittee, is said to nave more practice than any
other physician in Franklin county. Goss of
Auburn. is man of splendid Judgment,
who weighs well the testimony. The
other members are Sargent of Sedg-
wick, Marble of Paris and Dudley of
Aroostook. intelligent, discerning men. Any
cause would be safe in the hands of such a
committee. have no doubt the committee
are prejudiced in favor of the Hospital: and
they ought to be. | confess to the same feel
ing. An investigation so causeless is wicked,
because it unnecessarily dsturbs the public
confidence in the institution | have attend
ed every meeting of the committee and sat
through the weary hours of the entire inves-
tigation: and the cases of abuse brought for
ward by discharged attendants which have
not been absolutely refuted by the other side,
are less numerous and fragrant than ought to
be expected in an institution that contains a
larger population than the average town in
Maine. know not what the report of the
committee will be, but know what it ought
to be-that the charges brought against the
Maine Insane Hospital are unsustained bv
the facts.