Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-12-18
BY TELEGRAPH.


Bosros. Dec. is.-Goveruor Russell las
decided 10 demand the designations Of the
remaining two members Of the building
COMMITTEES Of the Medfeid asylum Jerc-
,aiah Murphy Of Worcester and Herbert
" Feaerhen Of Quincy. Nicholas Harha-
way Of Fail River, who YVES the third
member of the committee. resigned al the
request Of the governor couple OF weeks
ago. II Messrs Murphy and Federhen do
not resign they will he removed.
II is said the governor has decided 10
appoint William q. Blaney of this city a
was the chairman OF the building CON-
u,ittee Of the cham Der Of commerce. He
l. a aour merchant and Demoer at. The
names Of those who will be selected for
the other vacancies have not been learned
The executive council has had the
affairs of the bnilding COMMITTEES before
il for some ime Francis L. White, one
Of the contractors, preferred charges.
which were referred to a committee con
sisting Of Councillors Morgan and Rice
Mr.. White complained that he has been
Obliged 20 contend against systematic
effort of the committee to enbarrass him
They refused TO accept materials for the
buildings. which, he AYERS, were
FIRST C.s~s In Every Particular
and in the matter Of money advances re-
fused to comply with the rules which OBJ
tain in all fairly conducted building en-
terprises. They would only approve adj
yapces on materials furnished, which he
4 e g..
which he was fairly entitled Other
charges similar in character were brought
against the committee.
IL is said that ineompetency is the most
serious charge brought against Messrs-
Murphy and Federhen. 1t Is believed
nothing has been discovered To reflect on
their personal integrity. Some stories
have been told of heavy personal expenses
In making trips to distant cities, but it is
understood that no special attention has
been paid TO them by the council. The
governors reason for desiring to substj-
tute new bnilding committee for the
present one is based on
The Ground of Ineapaeity Alone.
The committee has been in hot water
for year The senate committee ON the
treasury investigated its affairs last win
ter, with result not very fiattering TO
the members Two members of the com
mittee. Messrs. Murphy and Hathaway.
were appointed by Governor Russell. Mt.
Federhen was bequest from former
administration.
When the law was passed several years
ago for the building of new asylum at
Medfield, the architect employed to draw
4. ha,. Il tufI n att tiP ar
rather, a collection of structures as could
be completed within the appropriation.
Before the erection of the buildings was
under way the trustees were reorganized.
and majority of new members revolu
tiouized the building committee. Mr..
Murphy was contractor, and he speedily
took leading part in the affairs of the
committee. The original plans and spt'ci-
tications were either ignored or radically
changed, adding greatly
To the Cost of Construction.
When the legislature met last winter it
was asked to make an additional appro-
priation. The original appropriation was
$50, 600, but in the way tina: the building
committee WAS branching out was found
impossible to complete the buildings for
that sum, although the act providing for
the erection of the asylum stated specific
ally that the amount of the appropriation
must not be exceeded
To the committee on the treasury Mr.,
Murphy acknowledged that little or no
attention has been paid to the require
ncnts OF the law relating to the necessity
Of keeping within the appropriation. But
AS work ON the buildings had been begun
on Il more extensive plan than was at first
contemplated, the Legislature saw no way
out of the dilemma except to make an adj
ditional appropriation of So0,tO0
There are two main objections to the
work of the committee.
One Practical, One Financial.
The cottage plan has been followed, the
buildings are well located with reference
to each other, and, rs regards exteriors-
they are all right. The blunders are in
the planning of the interiors, and are the
legitimate result of ignorance in regard to
what such an institution needs.
The grounds of criticism in regard to
financial management rest upon the way
the contracts were given out and the
money expended. Instead of having the
entire work let out to one contractor the
committee received bids upon each build
ing separately. Some believe better re-
suits would have been secured if one firm
had had it all.
There are said to he reasons why thu re
tiremeut of Mr.. Hathaway was requested
in advance of the two other members.