The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-24 00:00:00

THE GERMAN HOSPITAL, DALSTON.

On Saturday a special meeting of governors was
held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. ILR li.
the Duke of Cambridge toot the chair. The meeting was
convened by advertisement, setting forth that its object was
to receive the resignation of the house cc =duet, and tran-
sact other business. The minutes of the last meeting havieg
been read by the Rev. T. I'. Wright,
Mr. E. Sinvaxixo moved that the minutes of the last
special court be confirmed, with the exception of these words,
"that this general court of governors, whilst regretting the
want of harmony which has subsisted between the autho-
rities of the hospital, is of opinion that Dr. Freund's active
usefulness to the hospital from its very foundation, the
assiduous, benevolent, and humane conduct evinced by
him in discharge of his office as directing physician, entitle
him to the continued confidence of the supporters of this
excellent charity." The hon. speaker contended that Dr.
i was tun entitled to Ws.'" t•onfidence mentiwted in the
minutes, and said that the resolution alleging mat he was
did not express the opinion of the general body of governors.
Mr. S. GUILNEY, jun. seconded Mr. Sieveking's propo-
sition.

Mr. C. COCHRANE said he would move an amendment.
He maintained that the meeting was taken by surprise by
the present resolution—that the moving and putting of it
without the required notice was as illegal, unconstitutional,
and arbitrary an act u was ever attempted by any public
body. (Much hissing.) It was decided by a resolution of
the last meeting, moved by Mr. Alderman Sydney, M.P.,
and seconded by Sir George T. Staunton, But, M.P., that
Dr. Freund was to be retained in the office he bad so long
and well filled, and that resolution could not be now sud-
denly set aside.
Mr. S. B. CARRELL, M.P., contended that it was out of
order to move an amendment. The only question before the
chair was, the confirmation, aye or no, of the minutes of the
last meeting.
The Rev. L. J. BERNATB considered th►t the resolution
ought not to be expunged from the minutes. It ought to be
left there, for the opinion it expressed in favour of Dr.
Freund was warranted by all the evidence laid before the
committees and sub-committees.

Mr. Aldernian SIDNEY, M.P., begged to call the royal
president's attention to the seventh rule of the institution,
" That the special general courts may be convoked by
the house committee, or on the requisition of 12 governors in
writing, setting forth the subject tube considered. At special
general courts, the particular business only for which they
have been called is to be entered into." The worthy alder-
man and honourable member said the rule had not been
complied with. If one special meeting could destroy the
proceedings of another special meeting there would be no
end to meetings.
Mr B. B. Cannata., M.P., contended that it was not ne-
cessary to give any notice of the confirmation of former pro-
ceedings.
Dr. I..RIOND said he rose under very peculiar cirtum-
stanstancu, because he saw a great body of influential men
against him, He was quite sure that ne one expected that
he should speak on the present occasion, for the meeting
was convened to receive the resignation of the committee, a
subject that did not concern him at all. (lieu).
Mr. Snivaturro The committee were decidedly of opinion
that their resignation should at once be tendered to this
meeting, but I took it upon myself to move the confirmation
of the minutes, with the exception of the words I have
pointed out —The CHAIRMAN: I believe it is right to read
to the meeting the minutes, and that they should be put for
confirmation.—Mr. Alderman SIDNEY, Id P. : Perfectly
right to so put them, but not right to put them when they
include an amendment —Mr. B. B. CADDELL, M.P.: There
is no amendment, except Mr. Cochrane's, which is irregular.
—Mr. Alderman SIDNEY, M.P.: A motion, on the minutes
being read for confirmation, that so much of proceedings
of a former meeting be expunged, is an amendment, and
cannot be done.—The Chu Haute : The resolution is to con-
firm the minutes with an exception.—Mr. Aldermen SIDNICY,
I say that if your royal highness permit the, ques-
tion to be so put, you permit that which is not right.
The CHAIRMAN : All I wish to do is the best I can for the
benefit of the institution. (Hear.) I cannot help regretting
that a great deal of a certain sort of feeling which ought to
have been avoided was displayed at a previous meeting, ac-
cording to the reports in the newspapers, and I am sorry
that I was not then present, because I think I could have
prevented it. Indeed, as chairman I would not have allowed
it. I have no personal feeling on this matter—l never allow
myself to have any on such occasions ; and allow me to tell
you that I am afraid you are forgetting in your feelings for
one man the benefit of the hospital. I must not do so. It is
the duty of every president to protect the innocent, and see
that everything is done fairly and temperately.
The CHAIRMAN then pat the question as moved by Mr.
Sieveking originally.—After &discussion between Mr. Alder.
man Sidney and Mr. B. B. Cabbell as to the regularity of
putting the question in the above form, the CHAIRMAN :
Whether right or wrong, I so put the question. I have
done what I think right, and I will abide by. it. —Mr. Alder-
man SIDNEY, : I hope your royal highness will not
allow yourself to be made the dupe of any party.—The
CHAIRMAN I defy any man to say that I have ever been
influenced at any public meeting by anything but a tense of
justice. I act according to the best of my judgment, and
am incapable of doing anything in public or private to lead
any one to suppose that I could be so shabby as to do that
which would lay me open to anything like the imputation
conveyed in the remark of the worthy alderman. (Cheers.)
A division was ordered by the chair, the supporters of Dr.
Frenni to retire to the next room, and be there counted.
Mr. COCHRANE: I have an amendment to propose to the
resolution. (No, no.) I will be no party to these irregular
proceedings. I have an amendment to propose, and will
propose it. I have a right as a British subject, and will in-
sist upon it. (Shame, shame.)—He was about to read his
amendment, when the CHAIRMAN said: You have no right
to submit any proposal until the division has taken place.
—Mr. COCHRANE : I shall persist, and endeavour to show
the despotic proceedings of this meeting. (Oh, oh.)—The
Citentisare : You ought to be quiet when I told you a divi-
sion was taking place, and that no one has aright to stop it.
—Mr. COCHRANE : They have blocked up the door of the
next room, otherwise—(Loud cries of "Turn him out.")'
Let me see who will turn me out.—The CHAIRMAN: You
had better retire.—Mr. COCHRANE: I will, but I will not be
turned out.
The CHAIRMAN then announced thereeult of the division.
For Mr. Sieveking's propositios4ll3; against it, 41 ; majority
72 for expunging from the minutes the resolution favourable
to Dr. Freund.
The CHAIRMAN then said the next question was the resig-
nation of the committee.
Mr. SIavEEINo moved that they do not resign. A. person
In the body of the meeting proposed as an amendment that
they do resign. The former was carried by a large majority.
The Chevalier BUNSEN moved a vote of thanks to the
chairman. It was not carried unanimously.
The meeting then separated, but sot before Alderman
Sidney, M.P., Professor Berney., Mr. Cochrane, and several
other gentlemen signed a protest against what they con-
sidered the illegality of the proceedings.