Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-01-09

mediate observation and supervision
Of physicians and attendants skilled
IN the treatment of the insane. This
view is shared by the Superintendent
Of the Asylrm ct Augusta, who regu.
iarly visits the patients at Thomaston.
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 wei
fare Of the other inmates. They
should have separate accommodations
and the best Of care consistent with
public safety. The Arsenal grounds
az Augusta seem to o.1ef the best 20.
futien OF this problem, and II suit.
able building wero ereoted there, not
only would the cost OF administration,
maintenance and attendance be %
duced to 4 minimum figure, but we
would ell feel that even the claims Of
these mental deSeliots were no longer
ignored by q humane and watchful
State.
A fire occurred In the laundry Of the
Asylum for the Insane at Augusta last
fall, which not only caused severe
pecuniary loss and much inconven-
fence. but demonstrated beyond a
doubt that the water supply for the
extinguishment 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 conflagration 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 inconveniently 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, believe
that proper regard for public con-
venience and efficiency should infu-
ence you to approve the erection or
lease of an Office building in this city
for State purposes and thus relieve
the congestion of which there is SO
much just complaint.
There are other public questions
which while not involving the expen-
diture of large sums of money affect
to very marked degree the welfare
of the State, and which should be dis
cussed and settled by this Legislature
If We are to continue to be progress
i've and mindful of the peoples rights.
The belief in the soundness and eff
ficacy of the principle of the initiative
and referendum as a means to enable
the citizens to express more directly
and promptly their opinion of pro
posed legislation has become very
general in Maine, and has been recog-
nized in the platforms of both politi-
cal parties. We may safely assume,
therefore, that these declarations
were made in good faith. and l heart
(Continued on page IT,