Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-11

the State treasury, that the state VI
Maine. shall have some voice In the man
asement and control of it. and I sincerely
hone that these resolves that are the
proGuct Of great drought on the part Of
the committee on education, who haze
ianored over this matter. who have gone
into all the details. VIII certainly count
for something when It comes before this
House, and trust tina: the resolves viii
be passed as reported. tAppauseb.
Mr. BEA1. Of Bangor: Without express
ing any opinion upon the merits of the
matter before this House. as I have de-
cided aversion to opposing anything that
has been unanimously reported by COM
mitree. | have letter from one of the
trustees at Bangor, which ] deem it my
duty to read:
Bangor, Me-, March 9, 1899.
Hon. F. O. Beal:
Dear Sr--There is now. resolve. pend
ing In the Legislature which couples the
support 10 be granted to the Maine Ia
with the provso that the school surren-
der its charter under which 1t was or
ganized and founded and turn the insitn--
ton over to the state; me resolve , as !
do not convey all the property, rights and
interests. etc.. to the State, the supplies
will be stopped.
AS you know. the institution was start
ed by benevolent people. acting in CO.
operation with the State. who have sivea
in the aggregate nearly 900 Now 1t
seems that this is hardly fair treatment.
thar we have rights which deserve con-
Sideration.
We are doing this work as we'll ami
much more cheaply than 1t would be done
BY the State. Within the past two years
there has been expended in building AMI
improvements nearly N4OO0-a fund ac-
crung from the donations Of charitable
persons. OF course, if the State SHOULD
take the institution these gifts would
cease.
| am one of the trustees. and fell tina.
would. not be wise from either the eco,
uomchl or any other standpoint. and
would appreciate the help. you can give
II defeating TINS resolve for va prppp nIu
e"ee' al" r. x. JORDAN.
Now, Mr. Speaker and gentlemen OF the
House, it seems to me that the PROPOSE
ton made by the gentleman from Port-
land tMr. Chase is a very fair one. rms
is a matter that has come suddenly upon
us, and the proposition as made will have
plenty of time. If we decide to accept 1t.
we shall have plenty of time to look the
matter fairly and squarely in the face
and treat it as it should be treated. 1t Is
not a small matter. 1t is a matter of very
great importance to the State, and that
there may be no mistake made in the
matter, | hope that the proposition of the
gentleman from Portland (Mr. Chase)
will prevail.
Mr.. WALKER of Starks: AS
member of the educational committee
| wish to state that we had full hear
han of In q
trustees of this institution, and that
the question was asked them at that
hearing if they would oppose the turn
ing of this institution over to the State.
They stated that they were not opposed
to it. if l remember correctly. We also
asked the trustees present if they be-
lieved it would be for the benefit of the
girls in that institution for the State
to assume entire control of the institu-
ton, and if l remember correctly
again. they stated that they thought
it would be for the benefit of those
girls. To be sure, the trustees We're not
all present.
Now | believe if any gentlemen who
have the interest of this institution at
heart. whether they be trustees of the
institution or not. if they believe in
that institution as an institution for
the reformation of girls, what do they
care whether it is a private corporation
or whether it be supported by the State,
If being wholly under The control of the
State better results may be secured?
L believe in this instance the end justi-
fies the means. and trust. Mr.. Speak
er and gentlemen of the House, that
he resolves that call for $27 900. nearly
as much as the entire gifts of that in
stitution in all the years since its foun-
daton, l trust that these resolves will
pass this House as recommended by
Jul committee.
MI. PEASLEE of Wiscasset: AS
have listened 10 The discussion thus far
feel that perhaps it is hardly neces-
sary for me to say anything. and YET,
rs member of the committee, it al
most seems as if l ought to say some
| thing. ! have been interviewed, as l
know many members of this House
have. i'll regard to this matter. Points
have been brought up by these people
| which. it seems to me, should be dis
cussei briefly.
| 1t has been said that if the State de-
mands control of this institution why
|
| the oase of the asylum at Bath and
| the other institutions In the State
| which the State has appropriated
| money for This institution is not in
the same class with the orphan asy
buns. In the case of the orphan asy-
lums the children are put ethere for
any ltngth of time.a That asylum at
Bath. for instance. looks for Homes for
these children. and many of them are
adopted into good homes.
/ At Hallowell. while many of the girls
are placed out in homes. they are not
i allowed to go out from under the care
of the trustees until they are Il years
Of age. II is an entirely different insti-
tuition from the orphan asylum. 1t is
the same as the Reform school; and it
seems to me. where the State expends
$1C500 year for the care of these girls
who number somewhere about 200 and a
large majority of them out in families
costing the State nothing to maintain
} as understand where they put
them out in families they earn enough
for their board and little more which
the trustees look after. and when they
are Il they have a little fund to start
| ...tt -. At