The Portland daily press., 1901-02-21

| 1880 81 less than that Of the Portland
Institution. The cost of subsistence was
81, ,S73 "a less. Fuel, lights, water and
ice, 81, T2i s6 less. The charge for print
Ing and statione ~ in the Portland In
stitution was S369 O2 In the Lewiston in
stitution $l45 0G. Now L ask you with all
fairness, Mr.. Speaker, and gentlsmen, as
professional men, as men of business, DO
these figures and comparisons indicate
anything other than the most wretchsd
financial management or else that some
one connected with the Institution IL
profitinG by its expenditures.
I do not believe that this legislature de,
sires to appropriate any more money u0-
I'll this excessive expenditure Is satisfac-
toriIy explained. Bat gentlemen The mis-
management OF this institution Is not
confined to its finances. Two years ago
well known specialist OF the aye and ear,
who had for four years previous been con-.
nected with the institution became con-
vinoed that the executive surgeon at that
institution was making use Of It's patron
age to increase his own private practice
He brought the matter to the attention OF
the beard of trustees and made specific
charges, one OF which was that patients
were being turned away from the Infirm-
Ary and directed to go or treatment to
the private office Of Dr. Holt That beard
appointed q time for hearing at which
DIR. Bowers submitted evidence In support
OF his charges, which was utterly Ignored.
One OF that judicial tribunal was
fIavx a ylrs<
after having made an impassioned plea
for DIR. Holt went with the rest of the
board into executive session and reported
resolution exonerating DIR. Holt from
all she charges preferred. Having in mind
this specific charge 1 went to work on
last Saturday to find II possible cass en-
tirely distinct from any DIR. Bowers had
presented 60 the trustees substantiating
this charge In a shorU time my efforts
were rewarded with success. A poor girl
who was at the time working as a do.
mestic in the city OF Portland went with
another lady to the Iniirmary for treat
ment for her eyes. After superficial ex-
animation by the physician In charge she
was told that they had not the apparatus
at the Institution for treating her partic-
uIar case, but that she would have to go
to the Office of DIR. Holt for treatment.
knowing or others who had been turned
from there before her upon this or some
other slight presext she decided not to go
to the office OF DIR. Holt. She did so how
verEto an oculist In the city who In
formed her that hers was q trouble of
common occurrence, was fitted for
glasses and has since experienced no ditti-
Guilty. Out OF respect fer the wishes of
this young lady Will not make public
her name at this time, but after this
House adjourns II any member OF the
HOUSE or II any msmber of the board OF
trustees OF the Maine Eye and Ear In
firmary desirss to know, / will gladly tell
them her name and residence, as well as
the name and residence OF the lady who
went to the Infirmary with her. 1 am
also prepared to give the name and resi-
dence OF each and every one Of the per-
sons by whom the charges OF DIR. Bower S
can be proven. can oite other cases to
substantiate this charge, but will not
take the time OF the House in doing SO
Sufficient to say that from the investiga-
tion have made 1 am firmly convinced
that the charge Is true. And l respect
fully submit to this House that board
of trustees which will not hold an in
vestigation upon suoh serious charge
worthy OF that name, an investigation
that was ridipulsd and scotfed at BY the
entire press of New England, an investi-
cation at which the public were SO utter
" disgusted IL wholly incompetent to
have charge Of any institution whether
public OF private.
but more recent occurrence at ths In