Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-11
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
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gers, and Ii it is deemed desirable as the
time is getting short. 1 see no objection
to the resolves taking their first reading
at the present time. with the understand
ing that at the time of the second reading
of the resolves. If it is deemed desirable
and best that these suggestions should be
followed, amendments may be made.
Mr.. BURNS of Westbrook: Instead
of this resolve as reported being done
hastily by this committee. as would be
implied by the gentleman from Port
land (Mr. Chase), l would say that
portion of this committee were MEM
bers of this committee, two years ago,
and at that time we visited the school
and also had hearings for the school.
This session we also visited the school
and have had two meetings, the trus-
tees appearing before us, and while we
have no doubt of the honesty Of pur-
pose and the ability of the trustees Of
this institution, we do believe that an
institution, private corporation IN
which that corporation elects practical
ly all the trustees and has the sole
management, and while the institution
has raised s3l,212, in the meantime the
State has paid $751; for buildings
and running the institutipn-it is be-
lieved by all the members of the edu-
cational committee that the interest
Of the school and the interest of the
State would be better served If it were
purely State institution. AS it is now
all the State has to do practically IS
to pay the running expenses. and it has
no voice in it's management.
MIR. MERRILL of Skowhegan: me
Maine Industrial School for Girls, To-
Gated in Hallowell, is practically, today,
a State institution. All of the funds
that are required to run that institu-
tuition are funds that are taken from
the State treasury. and this resolve. or
the two resolves that have been Tefer-
red to. Nos. 25S and o59, the two to-
gether. 25S asking for $4,000 md 259 ask
ing for 1O500 for the year 1899 and $780,
500 for the year 1900, and
$3.50 for the purpose of providing suit
able fire escapes for the two halls that
are already built-carrying about $2l,-
900 for the two years. this year and the
following year, is under the direction
and control of the trustees of a private
corporation.
Now ] submit to you, Mr.. Speaker
and gentlemen Of the House. if the only
part that the State OF Maine is to take
in the running of this institution is to
furnish funds whenever the trustees
of the institution call upon US, as rep
resentatives of the State, to appropri-
ate money, why should not every other
institution of similar import have
title to its property in the name of Il
private corporation? What is this in
stitution? 1t is merely a Reform
school for girls: the same as the Re-
form school for boys. 1t should be I'M
der the direction and control of the
people of the State of Maine who fur
nish the money to build its buildings
and furnish the money to pay all the
expenses of that institution. Why
should the State of Maine be deprived
of the privilege of managing this insti-
tuition that it pays for running?
Ii you will turn to the statutes Of the
State you will find that in chapter 1i2
sections 10 to 81 inclusive. not only par
ents and guardians but the courts of
this State have jurisdiction. parents
and guardians by petitionins to the
judges Of the probate court, setting
forth that there is q girl in the COM
munity that requires to be restricted
in her hahits and life, to be educated
in the paths of morality and upright
ness. to be put under restrictions that
she is not surrounded with in her horne
life. that they can send her to the
Maine Industrial School for Girls.
Practically the same thing applies To
boys. but where arr they? They are
sent to the Boys Reform school I'm
der whose control ana direction is that?
Under the direction and control VI the
State, as has been stated by the gen.
tleman speaking in behalf of the re-
port of the committee. that over $3.50, 900
have already been expended by the
State of Maine in support of this insti
tuition, one of the he st in the State. one
that is NEEDED ami more than that. it
still needs and will need more in the
future, more buildings. and now while
this proposition comes up to eXpend
from the treasury about $27, 600 NOR,
let this bill go through as reported by
the committee who have had Il full
hearing upon the matter. Let this in
stitution that the State supports be I'M
der the control and mana gemen. of the
State same as others, so that when we
come to this Legislature. or whoever
comes here in the future, it shall be an
institution not only supported by the
State but under the control and man
agement OF the State | hope, Mr.
Speaker and gentlemen of the House
that this amendment will not be al
lowed, but that the bill pass as reported
by the committee CApplauseD.
Mr.. MOREY of Lewiston: The Maine
Industrial School for Girls | have nc
doubt. is conducted by persons wht
have the welfare OF tbe young at heart
but 1t is nothing less than Jail. 1t is
place where they are sent by process
of the court. for any trial justice Of the
State of Maine. if he should find ii CIR
who had committed no Wrong bu
might perhaps be in danger of commit
ting wrong, could take her and sen(
her to that institution during the res
of her minority. That there may be M
misunderstanding about It. l mysel
applied for a pardon Tor one who VIZ,
committed to this school this last year
and there was a protracted hearing be
fore the Governor and Council ant
facts developed at that hearing and I'll,
papers on file in the Office of the secre
tary OF State now show that this cir
was arrested upon a charge not OF com
uniting -