Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-24

Mr.. Pearl Of Bangor: We stand today
face to face with what is to my mind the
most important measure before this Leg
stature, important because we stand here
10 act not only for ourselves and our
communities but for that class of our
fellow men who by their infirmities are
not capable OF acting for themselves
when ! listened TO the gentleman from
Skowhegan. who introduced the motion
TO indefinitely postpone this resolve. II
occurred TO me that perhaps had made
= mistake in the oath that / took when
l came before the bar of this House at
the onening of the session. and that there
l took an oath that I would do sthat
which ShI,i,,, would be for the Interests Of the
Was that the case. or not? Or did l here
raise my hand and take an oath before
Cod and man that I would do rightfu,y.
honestly and truly what seemed to be ac-
cording to my best Judgment for the best
interests of the citizens of the State OF
Maine. regardless of their political affilia-
tons and their religious creeds but SOLE
" in the interests of the entire people
Then. gentlemen. it seems to me That he
would iinnress our minds with the fact
that the State of Maine is in a very inn
poverished condition. that she is incapa-
bic OF providing for her children. that we
should tie the purse strings and let the
aiiiicted suner Are we in such condi-
ton In Maine? Far be it from the fact
we are In good condition as compared
with the state of this great Union. and
We come here with this question before
the sunerings of our fellow men who are
bereft CT the power of helping them
serves. Shai! we not stand here and say
that we will provide for these unfortli-
nate people even If we have to pay a lit
tie more taxes? Shall we not say that we
will be humane. that we will show tina.
we nave something of the milk of human
Kindness i'm our veins. that We will show
something of the spirit of the Good Sa-
marian? You hear the gentleman say.
mat there Is no burning need for any
Ie thnt ~
lion of things? Can it be possible that
the gentleman from Skowhegan in one
weeks time has been able to find out to
ms entire satisfaction in regard 10 this
matter? | have been engaged in the posi-
ton | occupied by appointment OF ex-
Governor Cleaves for the past IA months
class of people. and l come here. TODAY
to tell you that my Investigations. not OF
SIX days but of II months. have satisfied
,.e ina. tnere IS burning need. and that
we must stand here acting for the entire.
peopie that We have got to face In this
matter and l would have you realize the
riesponsioiIity that rests upon you as ci.-
lzens OF this State. Is there any need OF
more room for this class Of people? I
give you from the reports of Superin-
aemdent Sanborn, whose ability and eff
9eavor to show from his words that he
uoes Deiteve that there is a burning need
mat something should be done and that
Of the trustees n report gass q Hs s he Dcr
intendent Sanborn says: -
"Rv most careful estimate of the ca
pacity of the institution for the accom-
coed SO beds: SO that by cons%,timr the
medical statistics of this report, table No.
ls. u VIII be observed that the limit was
reaehed IN 1875 and the daily average for
Sacn successive year has been steadily
increasing numerically until we find al
the close of the present period il falls =
little 'nst , below the number at the close OF
ever, Is accounted for In consequence OF
Ine large per cent. of recoveries and Il
greater number Of deaths than the pre-
average for the past year fails short OF
that OF the preceding year by 13 vet tho
ract stares us In the face that we are Isl
modations. From time to time since 1855
when attempts have been made to induce
INC inc towns ana cities to withdraw from
had become demented. in many cases the
movement has met with but little success
ana particularly during the last two or
several OF the cities which have more
suitable accommodations for this clas,
nave kindly assisted us by withdrawing
snt whien as they could
cennot reasonably expect to cOntinue IN.
definitely. During the past year out 81
c &c pasaients: whose mental condition was
aemented and apparently harmless we
succeeded in obtaining the consent OF thu
towns tow, to remove but seven, one Of whom
vas returned as unmanageable within q
lew days after DISCHARGE. Past e~nc~i-
ence then must lead US to the conclusion
mat we cannot reasonably expect any
lnrther examination from the hospital
ana that the urgent necessities OF the IN
stftution demand that the LEGISLATURE
take steps at once to make further nro-
vision for the care Of this unfortunate
my remarks. made In the annual rer,rs
OF the hospital for 1892 relating to the
numerical condition Of the institution al
vision existed then. 1t exists at the n - ~
ent time. ana trust that the Le9isia,re
OF this Stae, which has on so many occa-