The Portland daily press., 1883-04-19
TEWKsBURY ALMSHoUSE.
Shocking Practices Sworn to by
aFormer Female Witness.
The Building Infested With All Sorts
OF Yermin.

BOSTON, April 1S.--At the Tewksbary aims
mouse examination today Mary E- Bowen,
formerly an inmate and the mother OF child
born out Of wedlock, said she could not eat the
iood furnished but lived upon that bought
with money furnished her. She never saw
any OF the Marsh family while there. Thirty
OF more women bathed in the same water;
many OF the patients having bad skin diseases
and many were infested with yermin. When
there was time earbolic acid was poui ed on
the heads OF such patients. Vermin were all
over the place, rats being 30 abundant that
patients would call the nurse to drive them
away. One consumptiye woman was too fee
pie TO call for help and her feet were badly
bitten. This happened every night until she
died The closets and everything else were
nithy, but when visitors were expected things
Were cleaned. One woman who died was
very large, and her body was crowded into
Dox by men standing on IL. She had on the
same bonnet worn when alive. Another pa
tient occupied the bed on which this woman
uied, that night, no change OF clothing being
made. One old Insane woman was beaten
with sticks and tied with ropes The witness
saia she twitness) was born ia Portland, Me.
The witness had come on from New York
70 give her testimony, and MIR. Brown asked
several questions which Governor Butler said
weFo not pertinent
Mr.. Brown retorted that the character OF
witnesses so far were fit subjects for criticism,
and he proposed In this case TO know the wit
ness entire story.
The Governor said he did not propose to sit
still and allow bis witnesses to be maliened.
He asked the committee NOT to allow It, Some
OF their daughters might by chance come TO
this hell upon earth
Loud applause from spectators followed.
The Governor said that because the witness
was fallen woman her character should not
be the issue In this case She should answer
all pertinent questions but not those which
sought TO drag her down.
Mr. Brown said his excellency WINGED as he
never had before. He called the Governors
attention TO case were he questioned wit
nesses IN regard to character, etc., in a most
unheard-of way.
The question as TO proceeding with the cross
examination was decided by the committee in
the affirmative by vote OF tod.
Miss Bowen In answer to questions gave de
tails OF her misfortunee and the methods adopt
cd by her father to put her into 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's character
for veracity unless he knew her New York
name.
The Governor had promised TO give him
letter from Mrs. King of New York who en-
ployed the witness, but the Governor said he
wouldn't do so until he was ready
Mr.. Brown said that II this examination was
TO be anything but farce for political pur-
pose for this year and next the committee
would not sustain the Governor In the position
taken.
The Governor said he sent for the witness
and promised TO protect her from infamy. He
would turn over Kings letter to TIE commit
tee when ready and the opposing counselshould
see it. He had never used the words political
prejudice" before in this investigation and not
until the charge was made that it was for po-
litical purpose. This slang OF the newspapers
was repeated here when he was performing one
of most painful duties ever imposed upon
hin. He suggested that the committee take
vote on this and kindred questions IL they are
political ones.
Mr.. Brown said the Governor had declared
on four occasions during the examinations that
the testimony should 20 before the country,
and he could see no reason why the investiga-
tion should not be held with closed doors. Ia
the name OF heaven, for what purpose can the
country be made 10 listen TO the testimony ex-
cept for political purpose. The declaration
OF the Governor meant something more than
his excellency would admit.
The Governor said this investigation would
interest the entire country where there were
institutions like Tewksbury and ought TO go
before II. Already il had reused examinations
IN other States. He had never had political
thought Ia connection with It. The only ques-
kions 10 be decided was law, propriety aud hu-
manity, but the opposing counsel took that mar
row view OF IL OF which he was capable.
Tho chairman said that the Governors re-
mark shat another to vote would hand this
committee down as another committee was
handed down to country by its s TO vote, was
highly improper and he hoped no more politi-
cal ailusions would be made by any one of the
counsel.
The Governor said he had as little respect
for the chairmans opinion as the latter had for
his, and he had no respect for the chairmaus 3
decision. On being asked il Miss Bowen would
be present tomorrow Governor Butler said
that II she wasn't here the testimony could be
stricken from the record. Adjourned.