Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-04

APPARENT that there is no reasonable ex-
pectation OF eliminating more of the pop
uiatlon OF the hospital. OF the seven per
Sons sent home two have been returned.
committee find total capacity Of pres
ent hospital, SEQ; but on Dec. Goth, there
were In the hospital 677 patients, so that
chcre would seem to have been at that
cate insufficient quarters for 14S. This
TACT Is verified by the committee find
ing 1877 patients sleeping on cots in the
corridors or over crowding the sleeping
rooms
The committee finds that from 1870 to
1880, there was an increase in number OF
patients at the Maine hospital of 22L
per cent. From 1880 to 1890 the in
crease was 49, per cent. In fixing the
percentage for the decade ending in
1900, we should consider that the preju-
dice against an insane hospital has con-
tinually diminished. And it is also better
understood that persons mildly insane
should be sent to hospital for treatment.
Not withstanding that every effort has
been made to eliminate from the hospital
lts increasing population the number is
continually increasing
ne committee examined in some asy-
lums in other states. The committee de-
scribes the buildings and systems ex-
amlned, cost of same, cost of maintain
ing patients, etc, and Judging from the
conditions in other states think the num-
Der of insane in Maine will exceed the
census returns. 1t was found by the com
mittee that if the same census and condi-
lions be found and che same ratio exist in
Maine as in Massachusetts, we should
have the public care of 1873 patients.
In conclusion the committee finds that
we have an over crowded condition of the
hospital represented at times by not less
than 200 patients. That the condition of
the acute and durable insane is far better
when collected together in numbers not
exceeding four or five hundred patients
under one superintendent that the chron-
ic and incurable insane with no hopes of
relief can be well cared for without re
gard to numbers until the population
reaches 1000 at reduced cost for mainte-
nance; that the present system and ar
rangements of the buildings of the Maine
insane hospital may well be considered
complete but that two additional wings
could be erected and connected thereto by
corridors so that so more of each sex
could be accommodated at a cost of 1928,
900. In view of the large number to be
provided for this may not be considered
practicable; that new buildings could be
constructed on the grounds of the hospi
tai at Augusta, to care for its present
surplus of 200 patients. The approximate
estimate of the cost of the proposed build
ings for the chronic insane as per
sketches submitted to be located on the
hospital grounds at Augusta is as follows:
Buildings complete with wood floors,
$l15, 800, for fire proof floors add S12,-
600, for fr,r'ture, $4,000, total cost,
$137, go.
"Wc do not seem to be called upon to
express any opinion in regard to the pro-
position to build new hospital at Ban
gor. We present such facts and data as
we have been able to gather and leave the
matter for the wise consideration of the
Legislature, with the full belief that the
best interests of the State will be con-
served and the large and ever increasing
population of it's insane will be humane
ly and bcnevolently provided for. The
committee make no charges for services
in this investigation other than for actual
travelling expenses.
Legislative Notes.
Quit, a number of Portland people
come down to attend the inaugural of
Portland's Governor.
Mr.. Mason of the firm of Mason &
Merrill, bankers, Portland was visitor
at the State House, yesterday. He was
accompanied by Mrs. Mason.
One of the pages in the Legislature this
year is from Augusta, Master Maurice W.
Russell, the bright young son of Hon.
A. ID. Russell
The gentlemen who leased the Burns
house on Western avenue are settled down
to housekeeping as comfortably rs could
be desired. The party consists of Presl-
dent Soldiers of the Senate, Senators Ing
gins and Hume and Representatives Mer-
rill. Hill. Wilbur and Whelden.
Hon. Oramandal Smith and wife were
present at the inaugural exercises
There are two mayors in the House,
Mayor Noble of Lewiston, and Mayor Ga
son of Gardiner and there were five men.
hers attendant upon the caucus, there be-
inc present besides Messrs. Clason and
Noble. Mayor Millikcn of Augusta, Mayor
Beal of Bangor and Mayor Wakefield OF
Bath.
Among Portland people were noticed
Ex City Marshal Green, Hon. Stephen II.
Small. Hon. Geo. p. Wcscott, stephen =.
Perry, Esq, George Spear Esq