Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-27

consideration by the Legislature.
On the request of Mr.. Higgins OF YORK,
the President read House amendment A.
Mr.. Warehouse of Cumberland: 1 do
not intend to offer any apology for the
trustees of this institution. / do not IN
tend to discuss whether it was wise to buy
those farms that were bought; but l
am glad, Mr. President, that l have the
privilege to stand here in behalf OF these
people who cannot come to you and ex-
plain to you, if / am able, the needs OF this
institution. There has been a great deal
of talk about the COW barn and the pig
gerry. Now, the cows, or their milk,
rather, ere an important matter in that
institution. There are great many OF
the patients who have to live entirely up
on milk and it is of the utmost Importance
that the milk should be of good quality
and that there should be a sufficient
quantity of it. AS regards the piggery,
| have only this to say. There is neces-
sarily a great deal of waste food at that
institution that must be disposed of in
some manner. The best and cheapest
way to dispose of it is to feed it to the
pigs There is very little pork, almost
none, given to the patients in that insti-
tuition for food, and therefore there hogs
are sold. If properly managed there is
protit in this business. and see no reason
why it should not be carried on.
These barns and piggery are at present
too near the living parts Of this institu-
ton and are Il constant source OF menace
TO the health of the patients. Their lives
are in danger from the close proximity OF
these buildings They must he removed,
and $40, 900 is the least possible amount
that it would cost to move them ALL we
have consented to the reduction to Sl4,-
900 We cannot accomplish the whole
with this amount, but we can do do some
thing to make the conditions better than
they are now. LIDO not believe that there
is a senator on this floor who Will object
to this appropriation OF $1,000 a year for
two years to make the conditions of life
better and safer for these unfortunate peo-
pie.
Mr. Engal of Penobscot asked the sena-
tor from Washington (Mr. Hume) ii he
really knew that the farms over the river
had been bought without any authority,
or whether it was a mere matter OF rumor.
He said that that insinuation was per
fectly new to him, and that If it were
made on good authority he would be in
clined to present an order to this Legis-
lature directing an inquiry to be made in
to the matter.
Mr.. Marston OF Somerset I am heart
ialy sick and tired OF this eternal kicking
against the doings of the authorities of
our State institutions. 1t has been in
simulated that business has been carried
on at the asylum for personal ends. Now,
| say it is the duty Of any senator, If he
believes that any State institution is
carried on for personal ends, to call a halt
and to call for an Investigation. II these
people over there are guilty of anything
of that sort, then it is time to call q halt
and to put stop to it. Ii they are not
guilty, then it is time for this Senate to
stop accusing them of anything Of that
sort / say that if anybody knows of any
business being carried on there which is
not legal and right and just, for the
best interests of this State, then it is the
duty of that man to call for an investi
cation that will show up to the light what
these doings have been, and what is going
on there and not to come here and eter-
nally kick these people and never raise Il
voice to investigate. This State is to be
honored and congratulated upon the board
u
ton across the river They have business
ability and integrity sufficient to under
take farming, or anything else that shall
be for the progress of this institution, and
that shall bring profit to the institution
and to our State, and for Heaven sake
let us let them alone in their undertake
ings, and not be always kicking at every
thing they do.
Mr. Hovcy Of Somerset: did not in
tend to oppose this resolve. l have not
liked the idea of the State carrying on
any particular business ut any of its insti-
buttons. l would go as far as any man in
this Senate in the appropriations towards
the Insane hospital, but l think there IS
Il principle involved so far as this particu-
lar appropriation is concerned. II it is
right that the State should carry on this
business, if the explanation and the action
of the committee is right, l believe the
resolve should be passed. Yet it may be
that the institution is running on a
wrong basis so far as the agricultural
matters are concerned. 1t may be noces
sary for them to have some pigs to take
care of the waste over there, and then they
need pig pen, of course.
Now, there is another thing. Every
person who goes there is paid for in part
by the town from which he is sent This
institution is reaping u large harvest each
year from the State. If a person is sent
there, and he goes out and helps in the
farming and helps with the work, l think
that if profit is made by his labor that
the towns should be credited with the
amount earned by it's citizens.
l believe that this is a matter that the
Senate should consider more fully and
therefore withdraw my motion in order
that the resolve may be laid on the table
and specially assigned.
Mr.. Higgins of York said that the
charges which the senator from Washing
ton had voiced had been heard around the
State House, without doubt. He moved
that the resolve be laid on the table and
specially assigned for Thursday of next
week.
Motion carried
Senate documents No - and so, bill an
act to repeal acts Incorporating the town
of Brighton, specially assigned for today,
were taken from the table.
Mr.. Savage of Androscoggin stated that
if the acts Incorporating the town were
repealed, the paupcrs, numbering 37,would
become charge on the State: and that