Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-21

Investigation Of Charges Against DR..
j. IL. Johnson.

u. d. tOnuSOu.
A called meeting of the Board of Aldermen
was held last night, at which there was present
Messrs. S. H. Janney, President, aad Levi:
McKebzie, W. A Moore, c. G.. Smoot, E.
L. Downham, and Dr.. j. B. johnson absent
Messrs. Neale and Seaton.
The space outside Of the railing was lite rally
Jamed with eager spectators, while inside the
bar were number OF ex-members of the Board
With members and ex-members Of the Common
Council and other invited persons
Shortly after eight o clock the President call.
ed the Board to order, and stated that he had
a communication from the Mayor enclosing one
from the Health Officer, preterrng charges oil
serious character against member of the
Board and that an investigation was demanded
both by the accusor and accused. He then
handed to the Clerk the papers, which were
read as follows:
MAYORS OFFICE ALExAsDe1A, VA,
July 18TH 1875.
Samuel II. Janney, esq, President Board of H.
Dear Sir Enclosed please find communities
ton from DR., R. c. Powell, Health Officer, pre-
terrlng charges against DR.. j. B. johnson, q
mem Der of your Board. You will take such &C
ton in regard TO this matter as you may deem
Whatever
you do be done at once
Yours, respectfully,
4. kEMPER Mayor.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. July l5 1875
Il. hempsr esq Mayor Of Alerandria
Sir: 4 letter written by me to Alderman
Moore in regard to the management of the small
Pox hospital was on tuesday night denounced
by Alderman johnson rs "a base SANDER and
a mean, snesking cowardly attempt to impugn
his honesty" Justice to myself and Justice to
}. B. johnson demands full, thorough and
Impartial investigation of the following charges
the truth OF which am prepared to sustain b.
the evidence OF the records and the testimony of
reliable witnesses.
Charge lst: Culpable extravaganza in the
management of the small pox hospital
specification: The aggregate expenses of that
average cost OF each patient was not less than
$50. 81.
Charge 2: Obtaining money from the city by
fraudulent accounts
Specification On the following dates, viz ::
March 9Th, May 3lst June 23d, July 3lst 1874
b. johnson claimed from the Board OF Health
vari Us sums of money which he stated WAS the
amount of cash he had advanced to the hospital
COOK and nurse on account of wages. Tncse
sums were paid him, and the aggregate of these
sums was greatly in excess OF the wages due
those employees for their services.
Chsrge3: Unlawfu!ly assuming the duties of
sn I'll e to which he was never elected an6 llle-
gally demanding q fee for services.
Spec 1cation: That j. B. johnson went unso-
llclted by the captain, officers or any of the
crew, on board Of vessel lying in this barber
passed himself off as the Health Officer of the
city, demanded and received fee of So for his
services, and left behind him written certificate
signed y B. johnson, M. D Health Officer"
which office he has never held in this city
Charge 4: Being identiti ed with the firm of
Eaton y Co., which firm supp led the hospital
with groceries at high prices
SPECIFICATIONS, The rem: of the building occu-
pied by Eaton u Co. Was paid by j. B. Joha-
son individually to whom 1t was rental by its
owner, K: T. Lucas. The groceries and sup
plies which made up the stock OF Eaton s. Co.,
and Was purchased from s. F. Gregory, Thomss
Perry and J. c. Milburn, was paid FIR By J. B.
johnson individually and for bills still unpaid
BY Eaton s. Co., j. B. johnson is held individ-
ually responsible.
Charge 5: Making statement before the
Board of Alderman, which statement was utter
~ false and devoid of truth
Specification: On Tuesday night July 18th,
1919, AT q meeting of the Board of Aldermen, j.
b. johnson said DR. Powell charged $3.50 for
attending one case, and had visited that but
three times, and then ran around after the mem.
6ers OF the Council begsin them to make the
appropriation" which statement can be proved
by the flied bill and reliable witnesses to be false
IN each and every particular.
All OF which Is respectfully submitted for
your consideration and action.
Very respectfully, &c,
ROBERT G. POWELL, MD,
Health Officer,