The Portland daily press., 1899-01-31

A Pointed Prayer In the HOuse--Closc
Time on Lobsters Proposed--what
Maine spends For Academies and
schools.
JsPKcIAL TO THE RHKssJ
Augusta, January 30. -whsn q Maine
institution once gets its name on the
list of the benefciaries Of the state, it
generally has little difficulty In staying
there. Year after year, the lawmakers
vote it the customary appropriation after
the usual hearing. AT one of these hear
ings the friends of the applicant for con-
tinuance of the states bounty appear
before the committee and briefly ex-
plain the purposes for which 1t was
established and the work IL 10 doing In
caring for children, the young idea,
healing the sick, or what not? The Eye
and Ear Infrmary at Portland has re-
ceived an annual appropriation of 5000
for six years past. This year 1t has asked
for the same amount and two weeks
ago II resolve making the appropriation
was introduced by Major Melchsr Of the
Portland delegation and referred to the
dered a hearing on the resolve for Febru-
ary and there are indications that at
this hearing or later on the floor OF the
House the resolve viii MT have the
smooth sailing which usually befalls
such measures. Members are talking
good deal about the matter, and while
1t Is too early to say how much oppo-
sition they make 1t Is q fact. that q good
deal of the gossip is not favorable to the
passage of the resolve. 1t was learned
tonight that letter has been received
by a member of the House from one of
the trustees of the Infirmary asking for
information as to the feeling of the
legislature towards the appropriation.
Under rule of the Legislature. resolves
appropriating money must be accom-
panied by a statement of facts, giving the
grounds on which the request is based.
The Eye and Ear Inilrmary resolve came
In with such statement attached to 1t.
The reasons thus set forth are as fol-
lows:
1.-THE Maine Eye and Ear Infrmary
in its corporate capacity, has established
and maintained an institution In Port
land for l3 years where not only on the
out patient department q clinic for the
free treatment of those who are suffering
from diseases of the eye and ear is given
daily, but in this out-patient depart
ment free daily treatment is given for
all diseases of the body by large corps
of competent physicians and surgeons
The only requirement. necessary to OBJ
tain treatment in this department is
proof from the person applying or by
his friend that he is poor and without
means TO pay for his treatment The
register for the year ending November
/, 1888. shows that 2, 4s3 hours wers spent
in the clinical work of this out-patient
department and the records show that
the patients came from all sections of
the state The rooms not now actually
needed for the original purpose of the
institution are open to receive the pa
tients of any reputable physician Of
the state and thus by the income derived
therefrom, the lntlrmary pays part
of the running expenses. 1t will be seen
that the inhrmary is public, charit-
able Institution in its broadcast sense. Its
spacious apartments, with its present ad-
ditions and equipments afford opportuni
ty for every reputable physician not only
to investigate aud treat diseases, but
to study the fundamental principles
which are SO essential for the proper un-
lderstanding of the nature and character
of diseases.
sIt was Incorporated according to the
statute laws of Maine, February II,
1886. and opened for the reception and
treatment of patients, April %, 1885,
Sincs then over $4,000 patients have
been registered and there have been an
attendance of over ll0, 600. Overy 5000
operations have been performed, inolud
ing among them 500 operations for re-
moval of cataract for the restoration Of
sight. These hundreds have had their
sight or hearing preserved or restored
and have returned to the walks of life
self-dspendent. For further particulars
of:5work done at the institution, refer
ence should be made to the thirteenth
annual report, a copy of which will be
sent to any ono on request. The
amount named in the resolves Is the sum
appropriated at each session OF the iegis-
lature for the last three sessions
VIGOROUSLY EXHORTED.
The lawmakers gathered at $50 for the
lhfth week of the session and proceedings
began In the House with u prayer whose
feryor and vigor OF utteranoe opened
the eyes of the members. The Rev. Mr..
Peckham, a Baptist clergyman living in
Hallowell. was acting as chaplain. With