Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-04

subject should be Investigated and the
defects remedied. Former Executives
have made this same recommendation
for State Auditor, AID it is to be as
sumed that failure to act upon it IA
vorably is due to belief on the part
Of the people that its endorsement
would simply create another Depart
ment or Office with additional and I'M
necessary expense. I am of the opin-
ion, however, that the direct saving
power would far exceed his salary
and the expenses attending the Office.
The last Legislature created the
err, thus recognizing fully the very
great interest manifested in the move
ment for good roads throughout the
state. 1t is no longer necessary to
argue the advantages and opportuni-
ties that would accrue to Maine by
system of better roads, for these are
now admitted and conceded by all.
Public opinion seems to warrant a
most generous expenditure for this
purpose, and the questions confront
detail alone. The amount of money
and apportioned by and between the
State and the municipalities, the lcca.
ton of the work and how and by
whom it shall be done, these are the
phases of this subject that invite your
attention at this time. In order to
facilitate your labors along these lines
Iii fafi
by the Highway Commissioner EN-.
DDS practiced in other States, and this
Bill will be presented to you at an
early date for consideration and dis
cussion.
In October of last year there were
in confinement at the State Prison at
Thomaston twenty-five patients of the
class known as the Criminal Insane.
OF that number fifteen were serving
unexpired terms Of sentence, and ten
were held by order of the Court after
their sentences had expired. The
prison is no place for these unfortun-
ates. Their quarters and opportuni-
ties for exercise there are necessarily
very limited and inadequate, proper
facilities for their comfort are alto
gether lacking, and it is impossible
for the prison officials to give the spe-
cific care that the individual cases re-
quire. They should be under the i'm
mediate observation and supervision
Of physicians and attendants skilled
in the treatment of the insane. This
view is shared by the Superintendent
of the Asylum at Augusta, who regu-
larly visits the patients at Thomastou,
the Warden of the Prison, the Trus-
tees of the Insane and the Inspectors
of Prisons and Jails. 1t is obvious
that no provision should be made for
the Criminal Insane in our present
Asylums, for their presence there
would be distinct menace to the vel
fare of the other inmates. They
should have SEPARATE accommodations
and the best Ct care consistent with
public sat-y. TIE Arsenal grounds
ht AaEuata as-.a % Oct tEo bsst -
luton Of this proa,en, and II q suit
able building were ersotsd there. not
only would the cost Of administration.
maintenance and attendance be 70
drced to q minimum figure, but We
would all feel that even the claims OF
these mental derelicts wore no loager
ignored by . humane aad watchful
State.
A fire occurred In the laundry Of the
Asylum for the Insane at Augusta last
fall, which not only caused a severe
pecun1ary loss and much inconven.
fence. but demonstrated beyond a
doubt that the water supply for the
eSunguishment of fire was altogether
inadequate. 1t is OF the utmost i'm.
portance that the Asylums be fully
protected against disasters of this ma.
ture, for the consequences Of an uncon.
trolled confagration there would be
most appalling. The State should
avail itself Of every possible safeguard
for the prevention of the loss Of life
and property in these Institutions, and
prompt action should be taken to Sc.
cure water in such quantity and OF
such power that all apprehension OF
danger from this source may be re-
moved.
The business Of the Departments
having Offices at the State House has
expanded very materially in recent
years, and it Is apparent that very
many Of the rooms in this building are
no longer commensurate with the de-
mands made upon them. In these
particular cases they have been put
to uses other than those for which
they were originally designed, are
over-crowded and fnconveniently ar.
ranged, and lack even the ordinary
requisites of good light and air. While
in my judgment it would be unwise to
enlarge the State House, l believe
that proper regard for public con-
venience and efficiency should influ-
ence you to approve the erection or
lease of an Office building in this city
TOR State purposes and thus relieve