Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-15

The board Of trustees Of the Woman's
Reformatory conducted a hearing at
the Augusta House Tuesday afternoon
to receive information in regard to
proposed sites for the reformatory.
The five members Of the board were
present: Clyde H. Smith of Skowhe-
gan, president; Mrs. Arno Cleaves Of
Bar Harbor, secretary; Mrs. Z. NJ.
Lawrence Of Lubec; Rev. Clifford
Snowden Of Portland, Rev. W. J. Ca
rey of Hallowell. President Smith call
ed the meeting to order at 4.30 P. M.
The woman's reformatory was au-
thorized by the last Legislature and
it is imperative that the site for it be
chosen at the earliest possible mo-
ment. Four municipalities have ex-
pressed desire to have it within their
limits: Portland. Rockland, Machias
and Skowhegan. The more active
campaign to win the new State insti-
tuition has been carried on by Machi-
as, while Rockland is a close second
in the size of its ambitions. Skewhe-
gan and Portland were not represent
ed at the hearing Tuesday except by
President Smith and Mr. Snowden re-
spective,y and neither of these trus-
tees had anything to say for their ia
vored sites during the hearing.
Maehas' Strong Bid
Machias made a magnificent offer,
indeed, and it was set forth by q COM
mittee representing the strongest in
terests Of the town. The committee of
Machias citizens (which appeared be-
fore the board was composed Of Sen
ator Alfred Ames. Attorney A. D. Nc
Fall, Mr.. John Shoppee, chairman of
the board Of selectIen, Attorney Her
bert Dudley, county attorney, S. n.
Tobey, DR.. F. L. Shaw and Councillor
Frank Burnham. And let no one for
a moment think that Mrs. Lawrence
of the board failed to bring out
through this committee every point
that existed.
And what more could a town offer
as a consideration for the location of
q. State institution within it's borders
Machias offers to give the State any
one of three tracts of land, each COW
erlng over 200 acres, each worth at
least $1,000 at the lowest market price,
and each admirably adapted for the
particular institution which is seeking
a site. When Machias sent a commit
tee as strong as the committee nam
ed above TO make such a generous Of
fer. it goes without saying that Ma
chias has made a strong bid for the
Woman's Reformatory.
Rockland's representations were by
no means to be smiled at for Hon. Ar
thur B. Packard Of Rockport, former
senator for Knox county, described in
detail for the board four tracts Of
land, each of over 200 acres, each well
adapted for the purposes of the new
institution, and, as Mr.. Packard de-
clared. all located favorably for the
expedition Of travellers to and from
the reformatory. Both Machias and
Rockland invited the board to visit
these proposed sites at the expense of
the towns respectively; but Rockland
did not offer to give the State site.
Senator Ames opened the case for
Machias and after a few words pre-
scented Mr.. McFall who, with the aid
of his committee associates. and Mrs.
Lawrence and Mrs. CIeaves of the
board, gave a glowing exposition Of
the Machias locations. By the time
they had finished one wondered what
MIR. Packard could possibly say to
equal their proposition, but it did at
length appear that Rockland as well
as Machias has sites for just such an
institution as the board is about to
build
Mr.. McFall declared that the Ma
chias sites combine farm land which
is excellent for the raising of crops
and especially potatoes. pasturage
which will without attention provide
for large herds of cattle throughout
the summer hay fields which will yield
bounteous crops without cultivation
year after year, BURBERRY lands which
will afford the most logical employ
ment for the inmates and will make
the institution self-supporting. He de-
scribed facilities for obtaining pure
drinking water from standp;pe
which will give fire protection as well
as from three boiling springs; electric
service at per kilowatt; water freight
making possible a 81 per ton price for
the coal needed: proximity to the
coast fish industries which will pro-
vide an unlimited supply of fertilizer
at an almost negligible expense: and,