Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-05
convictina Without Trial.

The horrible and barbarous treatment
of the patients at the Worcester insane
hospital is CLOSED over in kennebee
Journal headline as "Indiscretion, The
X. J.sprobably has in mind the coming
investigation of the Augusta Insane hos
pital, which ii is believed by many will
show more shocking treatment of pa
tients than at Worcester, and which II
will also probably condone as "indiscre-
ton. "-Biddeford Record.
Our rampant friend, Gloomy Gus,
apparently cannot conceive of a news
paper having any public responsibility.
He cannot understand that the Ken
hebec Journal HAS had in mind the
coming investigation of the Maine In
sane hospital; and it has for long
time thought something like a public
inquiry within the realms of possibili-
ty; that it has heard the rumors and
irresponsible declarations from many
sources because we have not danced
and waved our arms and frothed at
the mouth, as some of our contempt
raries have done. The Kennebec Jour
nal had no means of knowing how
much of this gossip was true and
how much the outgrowth of sensation
al yarns springing from other institu-
tons, like those coming from Worces
ter at the present time.
The wild-eyed denunciators and per-
cons of more words than ideas we
have always with us, and, to speak
frankly. they do not cut much of a
figure with the Kenebec Journal, even
though they occupy editorial chairs in
sensation-fr frying so-called newspapers.
The Kennebec Journal has for long
!. time heard reports concerning the
Maine institution, and realized that
some day the cumulative force of
scandal would result in an investiga-
ton. The Journal has in no way dab
bled in this matter, preferring to be-
lieye the officers and force innocent
,.untiI proven guilty. 1t is not our pro-
Vince to assume the courts functions,
or to make a business of stirring up
arouble for the sake of good stories.
II conditions are found bad at the
Maine institution, after careful in
vestigation, the facts-and ONLY the
facts will be published. We shall
then be glad that it has been cleaned
up. If conditions are found COM
mendable. and the charges against the
linstitution rs unreliable as Is a large
part. at least, of their sources. then
we shall be glad indeed that we did
not lend our columns to repetition Oh
irresponsible SANDER.
We welcome the coming investiga-
ton as necessary for the INSTITUTION
and the States best interests. II con-
Editions are undesirable, let us nave
them cleaned up even If it removes
/ every member of the present stan
and force. If conditions are as wen
conducted as claimed by those III
| charge then let us be assured or IL
and stop this hoWl py sea
lhyaenas.
/ So far as the Worcester institution
is concerned. the Kennebec Journal at
this distance does not feel competen'
/ to pass as judge of the case. we pre-
for 10 await the result of the preseh'
loficlal inquiry. And yet our sources
| If information are as complete aho
| perhaps our judgment as Clear any
| our sen,,tation as fair, as that OF any
emspaper in Maine. In other wof's
Tour candid opinion is that some 9
our exchanges which pretend % Know
SO much are little more 'hah ~ :
\ rate four-fushers.