Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-17

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time, and the hose was run off one of the reels
and water applied in seventeen seconds. a,
timed by a member of the Committee. 1t is
the opinion of the Committee that the system
of fire apparatus is as thorough and complete
as any vet devised.
SUPERINTENDENT.
Direct allegations or statements ofopinions
by witnesses. unsupported by testimony as
to facts. but much enlarged upon by counsel
for the prosecution, were introduced TO show
incompetency and inefficiency on the part OF
the Superintendent. These are grave state
ments. The witnesses on this point were
a medical officer whose services were, in the
opinion of the Trustees. unnecessary, dis
charged Supervisor, discharged attendant
and his wife. and Rev. DIR.
Butler. The medical officer stated
under oath that he entered the service expect
ing to supersede the Superintendent The
Supervisor and the attendant gave evidence
which to our minds went very far to prove
the competency of the Superintendent: and
Dr. Butler, Whose wife is, and has been a
patient at the Hospital, testified to matters
which had no foundation in fact,
showing very clearly that his opin-
ions were based upon false pre-
misses. The testimony shows that DIR. H. NJ
Harlow, the officer in question, entered the
service in 1915, that he had previously served
as assistant physician at the Brattleboro Asy-
lum, and that he served in this institution in
the same capacity until 1851. when he be-
came Superintendent He has served uninter-
rupt9dly in that capacity since. The evil
dence shows that he is at present tifty-nine
years of age. is in good health, and in full
possession ofthe necessary physical strength to
perform the arduous duties ofthe office which
he holds. The universal testimony from all
alike is, that he has throughout exhibited a
kind and even temperament, being always
calm amidst the many perplexities of his ar
duous and responsible position. The testi-
mony also shows that though calm, he has
administered his great trust with firmness; :;
that his removal of offenders has invariably
been swift and sure. The institution has
grown up mostly under his care. Whatever
of success has been achieved in the treat
ment of more than four thousand patients. of
whom some fifteen hundred have been re-
stored to their homes. has been largely the
result of his skill; whatever of progress has
been made in Maine in the treatment of in
sanity. is due to his efforts more than to those
of anv other man.
1t is admitted by counsel for the prosecu-
ton that the Maine Insane Hospital stands
day the peer of the most modern institu-
tions of New England This we believe to be
true. Letters from several of the leaders in
the specially were offered by the defense,
and are on file with the Secretary of this
Committee. stating in unreserved terms the
opinions of the writers. that DIR. Harlow
is in the front rank of progress and that the
Hospital stands on a par with the best in New
England. II follows then that the charges
of incompetency and inefficiency must fall.
A man must be judged by his works. The
Maine Insane Hospital stands as proud
monument to the philanthropy and humanity
of the people of Maine; its beneticent work
has endeared it to its supporters and pro-
tectors.
The history of institutions for the insane is
replete with the records of suspicion and ami
mostly. This is the fourth investigation of
the Hospital since DIR. Harlow became its
Superintendent. Through them all he has
come without reproach. \ similar history
pertains to most similar institutions. but it
has been rare that one man has been able,
by sheer force of character and conduct to
survive such storms. Charges of the great
est atrocities have found credence in the pub
lie mind. and upon examination have proved
the emanatiOns of some fevered and distorted
brain Employees, discharged for neglect of
duty. or for unkindness to patients. have in
revenge. fabricated tales of horrible abuses,
or cunningly misstated some trihing fact
and rivals have sought to obtain by artifice
and subtcrfuge, a position far beyond their
abilities to successfully manage. The whole
evidence from both sides has shown that DR..
Harlow has at all times been kind but firm,
quietly attending to his arduous duties.
Your Committee are of opinion that throughout
his long term of service he has faithfully per-
formed his duty. and deserves the grateful
thanks of the people Of Maine, and that the
charges brought against him are groundless.
and are not sustained by the facts.
ABrsE OF PATIENTS
Evidence designed to show that patients
have been abused in various ways. has been
freely offered. covering something like
twenty years of the history of the Hospital.
The whole number of cases alleged has been
sixteen. Ii has been the desire OF your Com
mittee to allow the fullest scope to the testi-
mony in this regard and the fullest time and
opportunity to introduce it has been granted.
In ten of the cases, the charges have been
entirely disproved, or it has been shown that
the offenders were discharged. partly by the
witnesses making them; and in six cases
the charges were made without names of pa
tients so injured. or of TIE offenders. and
also without dates. Ii manifestly i'm
possible to disprove such cases from the
vagueness of the charges. None of the cases
were claimed to be of such nature as to
leave marks of violence, or permanently in
jure the patient. II is apparent in cases of
violent mania. it is necessary to use sufficient
force to control the patient, otherwise they
might injure themselves or other patients.
In some of the cases, it was clearly matter
of opinion on the part of witnesses. whether
too much force used-and it NAV have
been that the opinions of some of the wit
nesses were prejudiced by sense of disgrace
for having been discharged
DISCIPLINE.
Claims of lack of discipline have been
made. We have heard all testimony that
could be obtained on this point, and conclude
that while there is an absence of any parade
of authority on the part Of the Superinten-
dent. there is. quietly enforced, a very COM
plete system of rules. The Superintendent
has full power TO enforce all rules. and
though persistent efforts have been made BY
discharged officer and several discharged
employees to show the contrary, il is clearly
proved that no deviation of an employe,
from the letter and spirit of the rules, has
ever been reported to him, but it was at once
investigated, and if fsubstantiated. the offender
at once discharged 1t is also proved that he
has discharged attendants, in some cases.
upon suspicion that they had broken the
rules, and upon circumstanfial evidence