Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-19
rEWKsBURY.
A Woman Comes from New YorE- to
Give Testimony-A Heated
Term.

BOSTON. April Is
At the Tewksbury examination today.
Mary E. Bowen, formerly an inmate and
mother of child born out of wedlock, said
that she could not eat the food furnished, but
lived upon that bought with the money furn-
ished her. Never saw any of the Marsh fam
lily while there. Thirty or more women
were bathed in the same water, many of the
patients having bad skin diseases and many
were infested with vermin. When there was
time. carbolic acid was poured on the heads
of such patients. Vermin were all over the
place, rats being abundant that patients
would call the nurses TO drive them away.
One consumptive woman was unable TO call
for help and her feet were badly bitten. This
happened every night until she died The
closets and everything else were filthy, but
when visitors were expected things were
cleaned. One woman who died was very
large, and her body was crowded into box
by men standing on it. She had on the same
bonnet worn when alive. Another patient
occupied the bed on which this woman died.
no change of clothing being made. An old
insane woman was beaten with sticks and
tied with ropes.
The witness had come or from New York
to give her testimony. Mr.. Brown asked
several questions which Gen. Butler said
were not pertinent. Mr. Brown retorted that
the character OF the witnesses were fit sub
jects for criticism, and he proposed in this
to know this witness entire story The
governor said he did not propose to sit still
and allow his witnesses to be maligned. He
asked the committee not to ALLOW it. Some
of their daughters might by chance come 10
this hell upon earth.
Loud applause from the spectators fol-
lowed. The governor said that because the
I'll
should not be the issue in this case. She
should answer all pertinent questions, but
not these which sought TO drag her down.
Brown said his excelfency WINGED as he never
had before. He called the governors atten-
ton to case where he (the governor) ques-
toned the witness in regard 10 character,
etc.. in the most unheard of way.
The question as 10 proceeding with the
cross-examination was decided by the COM
mitiee in the affirmative.
Miss Bowen, in answer to questions, gave
the details of her misfortunes, and the meth
DDS adopted by her father to put her in the
almshouse. She would not give the name
by which she was known in New York, and
out of this arose long and irate discussion.
Mr.. Brown said he could not look up the
witness character for veracity unless he
knew her New York name. The Governor
had promised to give him letter from Mr..
King OF New York.
Mr.. Brown said if this examination was to
be anything but farce for political purposes
for this year and the next. the committee
would not sustain the Governor in the po-
sition taken.
The Governor said he sent for the witness
and promised to protect her from intamy.
He would turn over Kings letter to the com
mittee when ready and the opposing counsel
should see it. He had never used the words
political prejudice" before in this investi-
CATION and not until the charge was made
that it was for political purpose. This slang
of the newspapers was repeated here when
he was performing one of the most painful
duties ever imposed upon him. He suggest
ed the committee take vote on this and
kindred questions if thew are political ones.
Mr.. Brown said the Governor had declared
on four occasions during the examination
that the testimony should go before the coun-
try, and he Drown could get no reason why
the investigation should not be held with
closed doors. In the name of heaven for
what purpose can'the country listen to the
testimony, except for a political purpose !?
The declaration of the Governor meant some
thing more than his Excellency would admit.
The Governor said the investigation would
interest the entire country where there are
INSTITUTIONS ike leWksDuTy dlusHouSe anu
ought to go before it. Alreadp it had aroused
examinations in other States. He had never
had a political thought in connection with it.
The only questions 30 be decided were
those of law, rroprietv and humanity, but the
opposing counsel took that narrow view of
it of which he was capable. The chairman
said that the Governors remark that another
so to 81 would hand this committee down as
another committee was handed down to the
country by its eight to seven vote, WAS en-
tirely improper, and he hoped no more po-
litical illusions would be made by any one
of the counsel.
The Governor said he had as little respect
for the chairman's opinions as the latter had
for his and he had no more respect for the
chairman's decisions.
On being asked if Miss Bowen would be
present tomorrow, Butler said if she was not,
her testimony could be stricken from the
record.
Adjourned.