Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-21

how aggressive some of the witnesses
for that institution We're? Do you re-
call the testimony of the man from
Waterville? How he the same as told
my friend from Windham, to mind his
own business, by inference at least
NOW l say he was mnding his own
business and doing what duty required
and l wish to say that the gentleman
from Nlndham, can open more eyes
ana ears in an hour than that institu-
ton can in year. daughter and ap-
plause). They need a better professor
of biology than they have gothic
very testimony here before the COM
mittee would make a man scratch his
bald head. daughter and applause).
| wish to call attention also to the
fact that the people of Portland are not
demanding this appropriation on their
knees, at least. There are not many of
them pressing this thing. They speak
more by their silence than l can here
l believe if there never had been a
charge against this institution it ought
not to have this appropriation. 1t
stands within a stones throw of the
Maine General Hospital and the Maine
General Hospital covers the whole
ground. The Maine General Hospital
treats all diseases with just as much
skill as does this institution. The sub
stance of this majority report is that
they have their Harrington fund, their
bank account and expense account so
mixed up that you cannot tell what
their income is, but the probable con-
clusiOn is that it is a very large one.
And l would oppose this appropriation
not doing its work properly. One sur
Seon never ought to be placed over an
other. DR.. Holt never ought to be
there, the executive surgeon, having
authority over the other great sur
geons of Portland. 1t is all wrong. Dr..
Spauding was on the executive staff
of that institution for seven years and
never was called in consultation once.
and that very fact should condemn the
management of that institution. In
one case there was poor woman who
went there with impaired eyesght and
still she could tell the time of day and
see to do her work. one of her eyes
was operated upon by Dr.. Holt and the
eye was ruined. Before that eye was
sufficiently recovered, before she was
we'll from that surgical operation, the
other eye received the same opera
ton and she went away blind forever.
a consultation would have saved that
Womans eyesight. | simply mention
this to show the great wrong there
was in not calling DR.. Spaulding III
consultation in case like that when
he could have been called just as well
as not; and DR.. Spaulding stands at
the very head of his profession in re
gard to those things.
Now, then, we do not want to give
this institution this help because it is
not conducted on the proper basis. Let
them get rid Of their executive sur
geOn and put someone in charge under
the supervision of subcommittee of
those trustees, and all will go WELL
but until they do that they should not
look for aid from the State. These
trustees are men of undoubted charac-
ter and high standing. There can be
no word said against those trustees ex-
cept that they have not sand" enough
to discharge that executive surgeon
and place that institution upon q prop
er basis. Again. we should not grant
this appropriation because we have q
similar institution right opposite it and
because the financial condition of that
institution does not demand it. CAP
plauSe.)
Mr.. RANDALL. of Portland: Mr.
Speaker and gentlemen of the House:
l only desire to say a few words on
this question. and at the outset | will
state that | do not stand here to apol-
ogize for. or to uphold any misman-
agemert that may have taken place
in this institution.
| realize that in institutions of this
and kindred nature, things sometimes
happen which none of us would APP
prove. But l claim that the proper way
to correct these errors if they exist is
not to withhold the appropriation and
thereby cripple the institution.
| take deep interest in this hospital
on account of city and State prde-I
have seen it grow from a small room
in a small building in the lower part
of our city to the splendid edifice that
ii occupies today. and l personally
know of the good work it has done
among the poor people, not only in the
city OF Portland. but also throughout
the State of Maine. and l do not hest
tate to say here on the floor of this
House that among the many institu
tons of the State-educational. chart
table or otherwise-(and | would not
say if | did not think so), none is more
worthy of your support than the Maine
Eye and Ear Infirmary.
During the seven years that I was
connected with municipal offices in
Portland I had especial opportunity to
observe the kind acts and good work
it performed. and had the inclination
and the time | could relate to you n
hundred of them. and | will if you will
permit me. mention one incident that
came under my observation which |
think ought to give this institution a
warm place in all hearts.
In the year 1898, during the Spanish
war. it was, my fortune to be mayor
of my city. One day in the autumn of
that year ] received telephone mes
sage from the adjutant general of the
State, informing me that a hospital
train with It's sick soldiers from the
fever stricken camp at Chickamauga
was on its way to Portland, and ask
ing me if | would assist him in taking
care of them.
l Immediately went to work. l placed
in the Auditorium over $50 cots, with
all things necessary for n temporary
hospital. Later l went with Adjutant