The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-02-27
Letter from Representative Hazen.

To the Editor of the WdtchDldn:- The ar
ticle in your issue of last week, upon the
new asylum question, in so far as 1t relates
to myself was so evidently written under
misapprehension of the facts and is so un-
fair towards me that perhaps you will allow
an explanation from me. My appointment
as one of the committee on the insane was
wholly unexpected, as | had never given
the subject any thought. For the first few
weeks of the session gave to it the best
study of which was capable, reading the
acts of every legislature and the report of
every committee upon the subject, that had
been placed in the state library for more
than fifty years, and the publications OF
other states. | became satisfied that it was
one OF the most important questions that
the legislature had been asked to consider
for many years; that it was one in which
all parties and all sections had an equal
interest; that the care of the pauper insane
had already become one of the largest ex-
pendtures of the state-sixty-siX thou
sand each year, and rapidly increas-
ing; that the relations of the state
to the present asylum were not clearly
defined; that new asylum, If erected
would cost from three to five hundred dol
lars. With such statement of facts, it
seemed to me that the committee should as
certain the views of the governor and the
ways and means committee, who are sup
posed to represent the financial wisdom Of
the state. Governor Proctor, Represent
atives yelling, Prouty and the members of
the committee very kindly and freely gave
the subject their time and thought. l am
willing that they should say whether gave
my state an honest service upon the com
mttee where | was placed.
If the reasons you give why the governor
did not place me upon the commission cor.
rectly represent him, his views must have
greatly changed during the last few weeks,
as his very cordial and appreciative letters
to me will show The statement that was
not in sympathy with the other members Of
the committee on the insane / can not be-
lieve was given you by one of the num-
Der. / considered them gentlemen every
one-always ready with an intelligent ex-
preston of opinion, and my acquaintance
with them was, and my remembrance of
them is, only pleasant.
In regard to the published statement that
when the bill came before the committee,
that while the other members freely ex-
pressed their opinions / had nothing to say,
/ wish only to say that Senator Giddings
talked with me every day about it, When
he had it completed, he took me to his room
and read it carefully to me, asking me to
suggest changes. l do not imagine that he
thought, or any of the committee thought
that we were not working tremendously
together. In regard to the assertions that
the whole trouble has been brought about
by my rage and that of my friends because
| was not placed upon the commission,
permit me to say | did not desire the posi-
ton. | did not ask for it, The three or
four men who did suggest my name are
men whose reputation is held in the high
est honor in the whole state and are above
any unworthy motive. / am proud to have
had their recommendations, given, as they
We're. without any suggestion from me. All
these are facts which the governor himself
very well knows. 1t is very unfortunate
that matter of such large importance to
the state in all its future years could not
have been lifted above any partisan or local
considerations. l.. ID. HAzEN.
st. Johnsbury, VT, February %, 1889.