The Portland daily press., 1892-05-24

| well patronized for excellent dinners and
suppers are provided here.
Last night the fair was opened about
$50, after this programme by Chambers
band:
| Overture-"U ngarische Lustpieln keller Bella
Chambers Band.
| Dance-Polish 0p. 3, No. 1........ .Scharwenka
bonanza" for trombone. ...............H Harris
| Mir. f. o. Welcome.
| Hon. Albion Little then introduced
Hon. Charles f. Libby as orator of the
evening, who spoke as follows; l4ee 3yg3a
Address of Hon. G. f. Libby.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
AT the opening of this fair in aid of
| the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary, a
| brief statement of the history and pur-
| poses of this institution may be permit
ted. In January, 1886, number of
| gentlemen in this city associated them
selves together under the laws of this
| state, for the purpose of establishing and
maintaining suitable institution for
the treatment of diseases of the eye and
ear, and became incorporated under the
| name of the Maine Eye and Ear Infirma-
| ry. The principal object of the infrma-
ry was to maintain daily clinic for the
| gratuitous treatment of poor patients.
At first two rooms were hired and fitted
up in the house No. ITO Federal street,
| which were opened for the reception and
treatment of patients, April %, 1885,
The attendance soon became so large,
and the number of cases requiring spec
ial care and treatment was so great, that
it was found that the work of the infirm-
airy could not be properly carried on I'M
less larger quarters were secured. The
trustees finally decided to purchase the
Federal street property and make such
alterations in the building as would meet
the wants of the institution and place it,
upon permanent footing. They did
this by the aid of private credit, as the
institution was without funds; but they
believed that the need of such an insti-
tuition was apparent and that the work
it was doing would commend itself to
the support of a generous
public. About $4,000 was
expended in the purchase
and improvement of the property, which
it was supposed would meet the wants
OF the iafirmary for many years to come,
but such has not proved to be the case
The work of the inf1rmary has yearly in
creased, and it has become in fact, as well
as in name, state institution, minister
ing to the wants of all citizens of our
selves of the benefits which it offers Of
the 4454 patients who have been treated
during the six years the infirmary
has been in operation to Nov. /, 1891,
| 1877 were residents of the state outside
| of Portland. At the annual meeting in
November $780, it was voted to purchase
the lot of land on the corner of Vaughan
and Congress streets as site for the in
| Urinary and deed of the lot was OBJ
tanned January 10, 1891. So much en-
couragement was given to the project by
numerous citizens that at subsequent
meeting it was voted to commence the
erection of building upon the lot as
early in the spring of 1891 as possible.
Plans for the new building were made by
Mr.. John Calvin Stevens, and on Nav 10.
1891, ground was broken for the work.
and the corner stone of the new build
ing was laid September 10th last,
with Masonic ceremonies. Under the
charge of our local builders, the work
has been pushed with vigor, so that now
the edifice is nearing completion, and all
can judge of its fitness for the important
work to which it is to be dedicated. I
think you will agree with me that it is
not only an ornament to the city but
monument to the professional pride and
public spirit of one of our citizens who,
with untiring zeal and constancy, has de-
voted himself for the last six years to the
establishment of this important charity
in our midst We, as his associates, have
been comparatively unimportant factors
in this result; but to this work he has
devoted not only his professional skill,
but has given to it, without stint, his
time and labor, in order to place the in
stitution upon a broad and permanent
foundation a Iynn TO DJ1
| refer without the mention of his name.
but it is only fair to say that the exist
ence today of the Maine Eye and Ear In
| Urinary is due more to DR.. Holt than to
| any other man. Of the Importance of
this institution to our city and state
| have no need to speak. The work
which it has done during the
| past six years is it's best
record, and the testimony of the hun
dreds who by its aid have been saved
| from partial or total blindness or other
incapacity, is better than anything which
| can offer. In it's work of prevention as
well as cure of the diseases affecting
sight and hearing, it is doing much for
the industrial and physical well being of
| our citizens. 1t is educating us to the
Importance of the early treatment of
| these maladies, which, if neglected, mean
Oil illClCooC VI SuAcIIuS dLll VI
| public burdens. 1t is demonstrating,
also, the progress which medical and
| surgical science is making in all that per-
tains to the physical welfare of our race.
This is work to which we may all be
proud to lend our aid. This building,
which is to be the future home of this
| broad and noble charity, and
which in it's architectural feat
ures and general arrangements,
compares favorably with any similar in
stitution in this country or Europe, is
only partially paid for. Large sums are
needed for its completion and mainten-
ance. Citizens of this and other states
have contributed most generously to the
success of this fair, but as citizens of
| Portland we have local pride in the
| prosperity of this institution. 1t needs
and looks to our support. Nothing bet
| ter stamps the character of city than
the number and quality of its pub
| lie institutions. May we not expect that
each, according to his means, will take
pleasure in aiding the good work to be
done by the Maine Eye and Ear Infirm-
airy?
The fair was then open and the band
1 Il Ill 4