Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-08-30
Governor Plaisted's SANDER of
the Reform school.


A cloud of witnesses has risen up to
prove false the statements being made by
Governor Plaisted. wherever he speaks,
IN relation to the Reform School. The
Portland Press Of yesterday published in
terviews with several most respectable in
dividuals who are thoroughly acquainted
with the managementof the Reform School.
and all but one, who declined 10 say any
thing about the matter. unequivocally de-
MED the statements made by the Governor.
Mr.. Donahue. one Of the trustees Of the
school, said, He had taken proper steps
..for his vindication from the charges
drought against him by Gov. Plaisted.
"and therefore he should have nothing to
..say on the subject at the present time.
ssWben the time came for him to speak he
"shouId not be backward in giving bottom
FACTS"
Mr.. II. A. Hart Of Deering. who has
officiated at the school as chaplain without
pay, and knows all about il says:
..Gov. Plaisted is an old friend of mine
"and therefore am very sorry to see him
lido an unjust and unwise thing. What
che said about the Reform School is not
true, is uncalled for and is unjust to the
"present superintendent. have seen more
"of the boys the last year. probably, than
"any one not connected with the school.
e al 10, x,.cs ~
''home and I have talked with many OF
them freely at the school. know that
they are treated well. and know they
"regard the superintendent as their friend.
II know too, that he feels deep interest
''in them and spares no pains to promote
''their well-being. The school never was
''in so good condition.
''Boys of course are punished for wrong
''doing and are under restraint. But
"there is no cruelty practiced, there is no
unnecessary severity. The general good
"health of the boys and their whole APP
''pearance shows that there is no starving.
..Gov. Plaisted has made terrible blum
der, in allowing his partisanship to urge
.him into this assault upon the school,"
Mr.. W. +. Gould of the First National
Bank, who was formerly officially con-
nected with the school twelve years, but
not for the past four years, spoke well OF
the present superintendent and wife and
expressed his surprise that any charge
had been made against their kind and pa
tent treatment of the boys.
Mr.. Albion Little of Portland, who was
for many years one Of the trustees. and
until Gov Plaisted refused to re-appoint
him rs his own successor. but twice
nominated him as trustee to remove
another republican trustee. contradicted
the Governors statements. He could not
believe Them He said:
"If Gov Plaisted's statement is true
..then there must be connivance between
call the officers. He could not believe
1.-THE Governors statements. Reform
"school boys testimony is generally
worthless. If the boys are feeling pretty
"well. and a stranger asks them if they
"are well treated they will say yes. Al
''most Immediately afterwards if asked if
''they do not consider reform schools
"prisons. which ought to be abolished,
''they will answer yes. Mr.. Harrington.
'the superintendent of the school, has
''always declared himself in sympathy
with the humane system of treatment.
''He and his wife are both kind-hearted
"Christian people. and Mr.. Little knew
''that Mrs. Harrington was really over
working herself in her devotion to the
"boys. Mr.. Little knew they were both
conscientious. He had visited the
"schOol this summer and the boys all
''looked well and acted we'll 1t would
''be useless to tell him that boys looking
land acting as those boys did, were ill
''treated. He knew better. He was too
familiar with them"
DIR. G. +. Webster. the attending physi.
clan at the Reform School was next inter-
viewed. He said: 1.-The greatest attention
land care has always been shown invalid
'boys by MIR. and Mrs. Harrington. The
lease referred to by Gov. Plaisted is that
"of a boy named VIM. This boy was
''attended by MIR. Farrington's son Arthur,
''who had been studying medicine at Cor
mel, and was competent to take care of
''him. The hospital door is always kept
.'locked because there are occasions when
"a patient might take the opportunity to
escape. The sun streams into the room
'.at times. but is good thing in sanitary
.'point Of view, and does not touch the
.'bed on which the patient lies"
Here is evidence that is unimpeachable.
going to prove that Governor Plaisted's
pitiful story about the treatment of the
boys at the Reform School is vile SIAN
der against the institution. Is man tina,
will do such thing as this fit to be Gov
ernor of the State of Maine? Every voter
should ask himself this question before he
puts his ballot into the ballot-box one week
from next Monday.
Mr.. Blaine's Speech.
Mr.. Blaine had one of the finest ovations,
Mondav avop;nv nj Portland aver c;xar 10