Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-16
VERY IMPRESSIVE
Were the Ceremonies at Ban
gor, "Wednesday
In Connection With Laying of Corner
Stone for Insane Hospital.
Maine Masons Conduct the Ceremonies
Speeches Made by Prominent Citizens.

SetIlt HOS1lItdl w III l'u, In1S afternoon,
in the presence of a great concourse of
| people. The procession left the city
| for the hospital site, a mile and half
above the town on the Pcnobscot river,
| at LIS O'Clock, St. Johns Commandery,
| Knights Templar, escorting the Grand
Lodge of Maine. and headed by the
Bangor band. At the hospital a plat
form had been built about the corner
and a tall derrick swung the stone out
over the place where it was intended it
should rest. Underneath it was re-
ceptacle in which was placed records
of hospital legislation. daily papers.
city reports, the cards of the hospital
commissioners. etc. The stone was laid
by Maine Masons with elaborate ritu-
alistic ceremonies. Most Worthy Grand
Master Augustus Il. Farnham placed
the stone in position and Mayor Beal
presided at the exercises. Hon. Albion
Little of Portland, chairman of the
hospital commission. was master of
ceremonies. The feature of the day
was Mr.. Littie's address outlining the
history of the hospital and describing
the building as it will stand when fin
ished. Mr.. Little spoke at length and
his remarks formed the main speech
of the occasion. Following the laying
of the stone, Mayor Beal, DR.. ID. A.
Robinson, Hon. G. 4. Boutelle, LleWel
Ign Powers and others spoke briefly A
long and interesting letter was read
from DR.. b. T. Sanborn of the Augusta
asylum for the insane, who was I'M
able to be present. DR.. Sanborn con
graduated the commission on the pro-
gress of the work. and the citizens OF
Bangor and the State upon the cree
ton of new and adequate building
He declared that such institutions in
Dictated a progressive state of civiliza-
ton and the upgrowth of advanced
people.
The procession then proceeded back
to the city in special trolley cars, with
the Knights Templar escorting the
Grand Lodge, accompanied by the
Bangor band. Work ON the hospital is
progressing rapidly, SO that the
smaller buildings will be covered in by
fail.
Hon. Llewellyn Powers spoke Us fol-
lows:
Il think all who have had aught to
do with the establishment of this in
stitution have just right to conSrat-
ulate themselves upon what has been
done. While it is located upon the
borders of the Pcnobscot ana in the
heart of the beautiful city OF Bangor,
yet every, part of our State has an in
terest in the work.
TO care for the unfOrtunatc-thoSe
with whom the helm of reason is lost
is not only an imperative duty but is a
work which commcnds itself To every
humanitarian instinct. This institution
is needed in order that the State of
Maine may do for them all that the
most advanced states are doing. This
is emphatically a philanthropic and
humanitarian age; institutions for al
leviating the suffering ana lettering
the condition of the whole people are
rapidly accommodating on every hand
We believe that this one should be so
constructed as to furnish to all the
best accommodations With the best
sanitary regulations, that the ,nlight-
cned IDEAS of this latter part of this
18th century demand.
ITO do this must necessarily require
iiioittN. w tttIliitl tAbttl u oDldfli III |
this world a good thing for nothing.
Il do not fear that the taxpayers of |
Maine will in the least regret any money |
judiciously and carefully expended |
here.
I'VE want this institution to be one
of the best of it's kind: the crowded |
condition of the hospital at Augusta |
demands that it should be completed |
at as early a date as is practicable, |
and / have no doubht that the Legis-
lature of Maine will appropriate such
sums to that end as shall be found |
necessary.
People do not complain because tax
alton is heavy or an expenditure large
II there is pressing necessity for it,
We have an abundant proof Of this
IN the late war, and the vast amount
OF taxation that it imposed
Let us then, one and ALL see to it
that this work is continued and this
hospital completed in such a manner
that shall not only be a credit to the
State, but shall furnish every possible
comfort to those to whom it is both the
duty and the privilege of the State to
care for"
DR.. +. T. Sanborn, in charge of the
Augusta asylum for the insane. was
unable to be present at the laying of
the corner stone, but he sent the fol-
Lowing letter to Chairman Little:
Hon. Albion Little, Chairman Eastern
Maine Hospital Commission:
My Dear Sir--I regret exceedingly
that, IN consequence of circumstances
over which l have no control. | am
,v,1