The Portland daily press., 1899-01-19
lsPEcrAL TO THE rREss.l

Augusta, January 16.-The sudden
change Of front on the part of the Eastern
Maine Insane hospital boomers is occas-
ioning some current and good deal of
amusement. that is amusement for every
body but the boomers. The hospital train
has slowed up and is not smashing records
at present. Instead Of that 1t is waiting
until the lawn akers have Inspected the
buildings at Bangor. Senator Plummer
says that of course the Penobsoot county
members do not want to give the impress
sion that they are railroading the matter
and it would be obviously improper to
push the resolve along now before the
lawmakers have been on next Fridays
excursion when they will have an oppor-
tunity to judge of the necessity of the ap-
propriation. Ali of which causes smiles
more or less audible on the faces of some
of the members Fridays vota in the
Senate when an attempt to tahls tie re-
solve was lost by tie vote, President
Clason voting to make tine tie, WAS an
eye opener to the boomers, and they
haven't found out yet where they are
at There is good deal of difficulty
In estimating the extent of the oppo-
sition. There are members who are op-
posed to the whole scheme; there are 9TH
gun the hospital should be finished but
they do not like the way the boomers
have gone into the record breaking busi-
ness. AS one of this class of objectors
put it today. Every time the hospital
managers make u move. they rub some
body's cara. Another member made
the declare ton in the course of some
would be better of to charge what has
been spent at Bangor to profit and loss
and stop where we are.'' So it goes.
There is talk on all sides and much Of it
is not over friendly to the way the bovm
has been doomed. And the Bangor forces
try to look pleasant pending the depnr-
ture of the Legislative train for the
Penobsoot valley. Announcement of the
expedition was made this morning. 10
came in the shape Of statement that the
committee would go 30 Bangor on that
day to inspect the hospital and would be
glad to have members of the legislature
accompany them.
THE PORTLAND FIRE DEPART
MEN1.
Representative Sargent of Portland has
incorporated his ideas for a reorganiza-
ton of the Portland Fire Department In
to bill which he introduced this morn
ing. 1t was referred to the Judiciary com
mittee. MIR. Sargent said to the PRESS
correspondent that he knew there was
strong sentiment in Portlandiin favor
of some change in the management of
the department ~ have been waiting"
said MIR. Sargent, for the city govern
ment COMMITTEES. to act, but as that com
mittee has not been called together de.
cided at last to go ahead. The bill have
present embraces my own ideas. found
that the new charter drawn some time
ago contained provisions which met my
views. so l followed that pretty closely
in draughting the measure. The char
ter created the office of fire commissioner,
the incumbent to be appointed by the
mayor without the necessity OF approval.
1 did not believe that plan would go;
SO the bill makes the appointment sub
ject to the approval of the board Of alder
men," Mr. Sargent's bill gives the fire
commissioner complete control of the de-
partment 1t is as follows:
Section 1.-The Mayor of the city OF