The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-06-10
THE CITY COUNCIL VS.. THE ROPER
HOSPITAL.

We are perfectly aware that there is great
prejudice in this community against the discus
sion of public interests which necessarily In
volves to some extent, personal criticism OF
those who have such interests in charge. But
we think that among other things which we
are learning is this: that an honest difference
of opinion is wholesome, and that free and re-
spectful expression of that opinion is the surest
and cheapest preventive of mal-administration.
Men who, either from ambition or sense OF
duty, assume the charge of public affairs, have
no right to object, and, if they are wise, never
will object to the most searching scrutiny OF
their acts. If the acts are judicious they will
stand; if they are foolish, they will have to
abandon them, as for the good of tho COM
munity they ought to do.
The City Council of Charleston have had a
yery difficult task before them, we admit, and
where it has been accomplished, all credit is
due, and will be given them. But upon more
than one occasion they have certainly failed to
impress their constituents with any very high
sense of their administrative wisdom. We pro-
pose, at present, to review their action upon
one subject Of very great interest to the com
munity, in which we think they are manifest
ing spirit of very singular economy.
OF all the public charities Of this city there Is
not one more useful to the sick and suffering nor
more honorable to its founder, than the Roper
Hospital. It's history is too well known to be
given at length. In 1845 the Medical Society
came into possession Of the funds bequeathed
by the late THOMAS ROPER for the foundation
of a hospital for the relief Of "the INDECENT
sick of all nations, without distinction OF re-
li9ion, complexion or SEX" This gift Of the
donor was so wise and liberal, the need OF
such an institution so pressing, and its adVan-
tages 50 great, that both the State and the
city lent their aid to the perfection OF the
rood work, and in 1855 the Hospital was open
ell. Placed under the charge of trustees who
were chosen from among the most eminent
members of the medical profession, thoroughly
and most efficiently oficered, its skillful and
humane administration soon became matter
of common fame. By contract with the City
Council, the sick and insane, hitherto in
charge of the city authorities, were transferred
from the old Poor House to the better and more
commodious hospital; and the annual expendl-
turs by the citylof $4,000 for this purpose was
appropriated to the income Of the hospital.
We can say without the slightest danger of con-
tradiction that until the hospital building was
abandoned, during the siege of Charleston on
account of danger from the shells, this ar
rangement gave the most perfect satisfaction.
The hospital was made more efficient BY the
addition to its income. The sick and insane
were far better tended, and the city authorities
were spared the labor of an administration,
which, in the nature of things, such corpora
ton could not discharge as cheaply or as ef-
fectively as such medical institution.
When tho hospital building was abandoned
in August, 1863, the patients, supplies, medical
staff, &C., were removed to the school building
in Morris street, where they remained until
March, 1864, when that building was taken by
the military authorities for the exclusive use OF
the soldiers. They were then removed to the
Aims House in Hampstead, until February,
1866, when the United States authorities, upon
the surrender of the city, took possession OF
all public buildings, and its operations neces-
sarily ceased.
AS soon as the city authorities were restored
it became necessary to provide for their sick.
The hospital was, Of course, entirely disorgan-
lied, and they were forced to make such other
arrangements as wero possible. In conference
with, and by the assistance Of the United States
medical authorities, they organized new City
Hospital in the old Aims House in Mazyck
street. Six icity physicians were elected to
serve the INDECENT sick, in hospital, at Offices
of coll, and in private quarters; hospital sup
plies were furnished by the United States au-
thorities, and the new institution in January,
1866, was turned over by the military to the
city, under the supervision Of Dr.. PBLzER, the
City Registrar. The City Council have e1-
pressed their satisfaction with the working OF
the institution and the manner in which Dr..
PELzER has discharged his duties.
We desire to be distinctly understood as find
ing no fault with this arrangement, considered
as q temporary one, nor as indulging in any un-
friendly criticism upon DR.. PELzER's discharge
of his arduous duties. We desire to give all
due credit to the Council for the effort which
they made to supply the necessity occasioned
by the suspension of the Roper Hospital, and
all credit to those professional gentlemen
whom they selected to carry out their plans.
But in the meantime the Roper Hospital
buildings have been restored to the Trustees,
the institution has been efficiently reorganized,
and it has now applied to the City Council to be
allowed to resume its duties and receive its an
nual appropriation. The simple question then
is: Is it wiser and more economical to restore
the old order of things with the Roper Hospital
or to continue the new, converting the tempo
rary arrangement into permanent one, with
independent City Hospitals and an additional
number of city officers?
Now it must be recollected that the perfect
efficiency of the old system has never been dis
puted, and that it was ample for all the city 8
needs when the population was third larger
than it is to-day. And the Roper Hospital now
offers to the Council one hundred vacant beds.
1t must also be recollected that when the
Council declined to renew their relation with
the Hospital one of the chief arguments of the
unfayorable report was that the new Hospital
in Mazyck street was ample for their wants.
But already they have hired another building
lat rent of $1,000 per annum), most incon-
veniently situated at the northeastern extremity
of the city, and this second hospital will need
medical officer, steward, matron, supplies,
furniture, frewood for the winter, &c., entailing
heavy additional expense. Besides which it
....--odofa forfu-fya nafinnta and