Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-23

something may cause more misery than
II be committed deeds that would exclude
him many times from church member
snip. Suppose a murder or suicide hap
pens because the hospital can't accommo-
date the insane? Suppose the overcrowded
condition results in deadly epidemic.
| Suppose that in fire the overcrowded
condition results in increased loss of life
Is there no one to blame for that: Is no
one responsible:
Senator Wiggin of Aroostook, was called
upon. He believed it is conceded that the
means for providing for the unfortunate
insane are insufficient and do notpermit
proper treatment, nor do they allow ac-
| commodation for many insane in different
parts of the State The question is how
can these provisions best be had in con-
sonan with humanity. We are not
legislating for the present. We should
take into consideration the growth of
the State and the direction of that growth.
growth will be largely in the northwest
ern portion of the State. The great fertile
section, Aroostook, has just begun to be
opened up We have a grand trunk line
of railroad through the heart of that
country and predict that the growth in
next few years will be phenomenal 1t
seems to me that you can't get away from
the fact that new hospital if built should
be built in the growing part of the State
and easy of access. The cause of humanity
demands such a hospital.
Representative Noble said there is an
imperative necessity for more accommo-
dations. An overcrowded condition leads
to barbarous condition. We need more
room for better classification. The Legis-
lature should follow the pledged faith of
the State and the recommendation Of our
Governor.
Elk Senator Mayo of Hampden, spoke
in favor of the hospital. He thought
there was nothing to show why a new
hospital should not be built.
Senator Hume of Washington county,
said he had no hesitancy in announcing
his position on the matter He told his
constituents when nominated, that he
was especially interested in education, and
in proper military force. OF the chart
ties that demand our attention the most
important is the care Of our insane. No
one doubts our accommodations are mad
equate We don't want to herd together
too many of this unfortunate class. One
of the appropriations we must make is
for new hospital Let it be done as
business men should do it.
Hon. A. McNicol of Calais, was called
upon He believed the people of Wash
ington county, so far as his knowledge
went, thought new hospital should be
built. 1 do think it is the duty of every
citizen of this State to care for her unfor-
Inmates. Who can oppose such a posi-
ton {? No one thing is so much needed at
the hands of this Legislature as new
hospital at Bangor.
Hon. J. B. Peaks of Dover said if
new hospital is needed it should be in
Bangor. Whether the necessity has ar
rived is the question for this committee.
wanted commission to investigate
the matter The commission has made
report. He said he was in doubt as to
how money could be properly cared for
under one management.
DR.. Garcelon of Lewiston, spoke in ia
vor of a new hospital at Bangor.
Hon. Llewellyn Powers of Houlton, was
called upon. His position two years ago
was known. He took the lead in the
House in favor of the hospital at Bangor,
and to the last the House remained in
favor of it, and it only failed in the
Senate on a tie vote, a fact to which he
called attention. Something should be
done. No one could dispute the PROPOSE
ton that the Legislature should proceed
to take steps for erecting new hospital,
He did not believe humanity should per
init large aggregation of insane in one
institution He believed the new hospl-
tai should be built in substantial man
ner, with modern conveniences. We
have the money in our treasury to build.
1 know, he said, a plethoric treasury
leads to bad legislation, but this cannot
be regarded bad legislation. l should
think lightly of my State if didn know
the people are willing to properly care for
her unfortunate insane. Every consider
alton demands of~us the erection of new
hospital, that it should be built in the
eastern part of the State, and properly
built.