American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-30
Communicated

U. ). EXAMINER OF DRUGs, &C.-A word OF
two relative to the recent appointment of DR..
Bailey, as Medical Examiner in the United
States Customs, at the port Of New York, is in
justice due to that gentleman. On the 18th OF
July, lo48, Congress passed law relating to
the importation of adulterated and spurious
drugs and medicines To DR.. Bailey's deter
mined and unceasing efforts the government
and the country owe the passage of that lawl
While the subject was before the House Of Rep
resentatives, he was requested to make a report
to the committee to which the subject was re-
ferred he cheerfully did so. Before the pas
sage of the bill, he was called from New York
to advise with the committee personally; he
complied, and worked day and night, with the
committee, from the moment of his arrival in
Washington until the bill passed and after
wards, he was requested by its chairman to
note the practical working of the law at the
port of New York, and furnish, in such manner
as might be agreeable to him, a report Of the
same, prior to the next meeting of the National
Medical Association. That report was pub
lished by the New York Academy Of Medicine,
and circulated far and wide over the country.
It established an eminent reputation for its
author, calling out concentrations from every
medical society in the Union, and from the pro-
fession generally.
When the law passed creating the office of
Medical Examiner, DR.. Bailey, without any ap-
plication to the Government on his part, was
selected as the most proper person to fill it. lie
was appointed in July, 1848, and was removed
in about eighteen months afterwards and then
Dr. Van Wyck was appointed in his place. This
act surprised the medical profession. They
protested against it. They declared that it was
an act Of injustice to DIR. Bailey, and to the
ppOplp nf NIL md op1, l,J tha
medical profession throughout the country pro-
test against 1t, but gentlemen in and out of
Congress, without distinction of party, who
were acquainted with the circumstances under
which this humane law was passed, considered
the removal OF DR.. Bailey as an act Of great in
justice to the country II must be borne in
mind that, when the law passed, it was agreed
that every thing connected with it should be
free from party or political influences; that the
best man should be appointed to carry out it's
provisions, and that the color of his political
creed should be regarded not quite so much rs
the health and lives Of his felow-citizens With
this understanding, DR.. Bailey, who had spent
the best years Of his life in the investigation of
principles which finally governed the making
Of the law, was appointed, and his appointment
was popular, and it was deserved.
year or so passed away, and, without the
slightest intimation of any fault on the Doctors
part, and probably without thought on the part
Of the Government, he was removed to rive
way for DR.. Van Wyck. There is scarcely
doubt but that the removal Of DIR. Bailey was
caused through some few disconnected men,
who could bring nothing against him save his
Democracy, which, by the way, is scarcely ap-
plicable to him, although his opinions may lean
little that way; for DIR. Bailey is no party
man, and eschews politics Now, these are the
facts connected with the appointment of Dr.
Bailey, and the removal Of DR.. Van WICK,