Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-16

no man III SylllI'itIs IoI th' 'oA,h' IA
firm and unfortunate ia our State; and
| willingly, here or elsewhere, In the
committee or in this Sente, would do
all | can, so far as may be consistent
with the financial interests of our COM
mOnwealth, to aid this class in their
unfortunate and Iitiable condition; and,
Sir. | feel that every member OF the
committee on financial affairs of which
comittee | have the honor to be Il
member. have the same feeling and
DISPOSITION towards this unfortunate
class OF people. Two weeks ago, we
gave a whole afternoon to hearing on
this matter: and then listened to the
eloquent remarks of the senator from
Knox and to those who represented the
delegation of the women of our State.
We Laid full ana careful attention to
the report of the commission OF which
these two senators, the senator from
Knox and the senator from Waldo, ar.
members; and | must confess | was
impressed by the strength of the
claims which they urged in favor Of
the feeble hindtd. | was impressed,
and | believe every member of that
committee was impressed with the de-
mand made upon this state by the fee
/ ile-minded. But. Sir, while we would
do everything possible. consistent with
| the interests Of this commonwealth to
| take care Of this class of unfortunatcs
| and TO build q school for them, if pos
sible. we were also impressed With the
magnitude of this undertaking, after n
Fearing of three hours length. consid-
|
three or five or ever ten thousand dol
lars, but forty or fifty thousand to
| even start it; ard We decided to refer
| this matter to the next Legislature.
| wish to call your attention to the fact
| that In the state OF Massachusetts their
school for the feeble minded requires
| an appropriation of over $500 a
year to pay running expenses, which
would be a serious expenditure for the
| State OF Maine. III the state of New
HAMPSHIRE the first appropriation of
$500 was found inadequate. The in
stitCtlor for New Hampshire had only
90 pupils a year. This report submit
| ted by the senators from Knox and
Waldo clc1rly states that the first APP
preparation WAS not adequate to take
that institution.
Now, it seems to me that this COM
lnittee. in view of all the evidence had
a wish if they had to do their duty i'll
this matter, to allow a small appropri-
alton for this school of five. or even 10
thousand dollars for the next two years
had they not belle vel il unnecessary to
give Il Larger appropriation. | believe.
Mr. President. from the evidence that
came before the committee. that if this
school were started, on lneritorious
grounds. YOU would have in few
years an institution equal in size and
leXt in magnitude in every respect to
the Insane Asylum across the river ard
the Insane Asylum NJ Bangor. For
these reasons. because we feel that at
the present time, the appropriations
and amounts asked for exceed the total
resources of the State by 100000 fC-
the year 1905. we feel justified and
felt it to be our duty to report this
bill as referred to the next Legislature:
and | will say this Legislature so far
has rot been perurious-has not been
over-economical in reporting resolu-
tons in favor of charitable institu-
tons. over S115,000 having been report
cd for hospitals and charitable insti-
tutions in the State of Maine.
For these reasons. and because the
committee feel that at the present time
the State of Maine cannot afford to
support an institution of this magEi-
tude, we ask that the report of the
committee be accepted, and that the
matter be referred to the next Leg
islature.
Mr.. PHILOON of Androscoggin: Mr.
President: We have listened to the
able. ana believe not in any instance,
illogical argument i'll favor of an APP
preparation for Il home for the feeble
minded. This suggests itself to me:
We are proud OF the founders of our
state. We are sufficiently satisfied of
the necessity of public education that
they incorporated in our institutions
and their requirement that the State
shall from time to time. as they see
fit, appropriate aid to our academies,
colleges. etc. 1t was a wise provision.
Perhaps they did not have in mind ut
that time that there was a large class
of Predetermined children born to the
PARENTS of Maine. 1t seems to me that
it is time that we took some steps to-
wards providing not wholly for those
who are seeking the higher education
and technical training in our institu-
lions, paying literally as we do for
their opportunities but that we should
take into consideration the needs of |
this other class, an opposite class the |
feeble minded. and give them an OPP
portunity. | do not think it is incOn- |
SiStept with the economical sentiment |
of the committee on financial affairs |
that they should recommend the sum
suggested by the senator from Knox, |
of $4,000 as a nucleus for the estab-
hshment Of POSSIBLY and probably a |
great institution which would be of |
great value to the State.
Mr.. SHAPES: Mr.. President: In |
justice to the ilOnored senator from |
Cumberland, | will say that l received |
this slip of paper from Senator Ran |
dali. who IS sick, this morning. and |
unable to he here. He asks me TO in |
form YOU that he desired the hearing |
Ve-,,1