The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-05-11
The Charity Hospital.

lhe Gharlty Hospital,
We have heretofore referred to the act passed by
the Legislature appropriating hundred thousand
dollars, on certain conditions for the erection of
Hospital in this city. The recent arrival of McVean,
one of the parties engaged in engineering the scheme,
induces us to call attention to again. By the pro-
visions Of the bill in question, the Governor of the
State is required to issue seventyfve thousand dollars
in bonds and place them in the hands of certain per-
sons, known Directors of the Hospital as soon as
the city of Shreveport and the parish of Caddo deed
them the necessary land upon which to erect the build
ing, and the remaining twenty-five thousand dollars
when the Structure is completed.
These directors not required to give any security
whatever for the faithful disbursement of the large
amount of money entrusted to their hands They can
embezzle every dollar they get hold of if they choose
There is no check them their bare honesty and
sense of right With thoroughly honest men it is
at best risky matter for the State to entrust them
with such grave money responsibilities the above
even with ample security What private individual
about to erect house at cost of one hundred thou
sand dollars would give any contractor, no matter
who he might be, threefourths of the money in ad-
| vance without security and without conditions? If
they choose, these directors can put up miserable
abortion of structure that will cost 1.-THE of the
appropriation and decamp with the remainder.
| One would naturally suppose, too, that the Gov
ernor, in selecting men as directors for public work
of charity like this Hospital would choose substantial
men Of character whose regulations would be some
guaranty that the trust delegated to them would be
sacredly carried out; and men, too resident of the
section wherein the work to be done, whose
homes there, who would be driven out of society
and whose social standing and families would suffer
we're they to engage in any schemes of plumber and
fraud.
Now who are the parties that are appointed as di
rectors on this Hospital Board? Are they men Of
character-men of reputation-men of responsibility
men whose names suggestive of honesty and up
right dealngs Or, they not persons who do not
live here who have no social or business relations
here-a set of adventures without principle,
without honor, without character-a set of thieves
that the penentiary groans receive-who will steal
the last dollar they seize and laugh to scorn the
outraged and sWindled taxpayers of the land?
| Let us see The bill provides for seven directors,
of whom must be the Mayor of the city of Shreye
port and one the President of the Police Jury of the
parish of Caddo. So far so good Who are the other
| FIVE?
| The first is Lowell, who is postmaster at New Or,
leans. He is an sdventurer from Maine who expects
to make his fortune soon as possible and return
thither. He to this place two years ago 30 poor
that he could not pay his wash woman, and to-day he
is worth over one hundred thousand dollars. We
eed not ask the reader if be believes it honestly
made.
| The next is McVean. He too is an adyenurer from
the North somewhere. He came here in 65 as ped
dlar of shaving SOAP jews harps and imcracks Of one
kind and another which he disposed of to the negroes
about the country on the plantations.
| He finally turned up in the Legislature-went to
Brooklyn, New York, got married. and oday is nearly
rich Lowell. He says he is going North to liv
as soon as he can fix up this little Hospital arrange
ment and he wants to take the bonds with him.
| The third is young man named Flood, youth who
was sent up here few we eks ago from New Orleans
for this very purpose He simply represents his father
who is one of the leaders in the ring Flood senior is
resident of Illinois, where his family resides now,
and whittier he expects himself to return. He too,
was as poor as church mouse when he came to Lou
|
| time, and bankers for more.
| The fourth one is man named Lewis, who resides
down in the pine woods of Sabine parish. What in
the world he was appointed on board for a public
institution up this place. we leave for the curious
reader to imagine.
The last one is Antoine the negro in the State Sem
ate from this parish He does not live here now and
never intends to. However, he is of of &C.
count one way or the other. The rest of the Board
will use him as they please. He is mere counter.
Thus the entire number appointed by the Governor
are n.residents-mere adventurers who have no in
terest in the city, its honor Development who
| expect to live here, and who will ultimately remove
themselves to distant portions of the country
feature of the bill provides that out of sepsn d.
rectors three shall constitute quorum to transact
business Powers Of villainy, who ever heard of the
like Three quorum for seven The entire act
ries evidence of prospective rascaty on its face.
Now we ask any candid person what is bis impress
sion of the probable course Of action these men will
take? Look at their history. See their opportuni.
ties for stealing Does any person for moment
suppose that the money will be faithfully expended
Does he suppose that the Hospital will be built
at all?
The City Council and the Police Jury have it in their
hands to block this entire scheme of plumber by rels
ing to purchase the land required by the BILL The
act is the statute books. Neglect to furnish the
land now does not, by any MEANS annu the act. 1t
is good months or years hence. When the Governor
finds that the authorities here will not be party to
the giant fraud, he will probably appoint different
board McVean boasts that, if need be, he will bride
the City Council to buy the land for them Once they
get it. they will draw the bonds and she Hospital we
need so much will be lost to US forever. How long
must this system of public stealing continue? Will
justice at last be done and above ALL will the peniten
tiary at last receive its own?
FARcE.-Yesterday squad of United States cav
airy were marched into town to escort the Hon. j. II.
McVean from the hotel to the steamer La Belle, as
body guard. No one believes that McVean was such
fool as to suppose that this at all necessary as
measure of safety, knowing full well that it was done
for political effect This fellow had been treated with
infinitely more courtesy than he deserved by the men,
bers of the City Council who conversed with him as
though he we're gentleman, and not threat was
breathed nor an intention of personal injury thought
of by any citizen in the place. But it is useless to