Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-22

time, though afterwards he made his appear
ance
MIR. Moore moved that the witnesses be sworn
and the testimony taken down, including that
of the previous night.
The Clerk stated that no evidence had been
takeu down.
Dr.. Johnson said the first charge was culpabe
extravaganza in the management of the little
hospital, which he pronounced entirely and per-
tectly false and Incapable of beiug proved BY
living witnesses And now, sir, said he, it is for
the prosecution to prove it.
MIR. Mckenzie desired detailed statement
Of the expenses of the hospital, and for that
purpose called upon COL r. S. Ashby, Auditor,
who was sworn, aud produced the accounts con.
| nected with the management of the hospital
The vouchers being produced aud found to
accord with the expenditures, but DOT with the
orders entered 10 the minutes OF the Board
| DR.. Powell arose aud said il the President
would allow him, he thought he coud greatly
expedite matters. He had Just found upou ex-
animation of the vouchers that many OF the
items were for articles used outside Of the hos
| ptal, but which did not so appear upon the
minutes 90 which he had based the charges,
whereby he had been misled IF he had ever
done any one wrong he was always willing 10
make the amend, and he DOW desired to say to
DR.. johnson, tina, having been led into error
he would now make any apology that be might
desire. He would make such apology 10 writ
Ing 1t necessary, 80 that the gentlemen could use
II IN any manner he desired. He could do no
more Applause.
The Chalr-Do understand the charge as
withdrawn?
DR.. johnson said he could ask nothing more
from DR.. Powell He could simply state that
DIR. Powell was gentlemen he had never
knowu, but he would put him Oh the witness
stand, and ask him if be, DR.. j., had ever, by
look, act or sign, done anything to irjure or op-
pose him. Applause.
Dr. Powell Said that ne did not know of any
thing DR.. johnson had ever done to iniure
him. He did not know him, nor had he ever
spoken to him, but he acknowledged feeling
provoked and excited, when he read that Dr.
johnson had said that the salary Of the Health
Officer was the throwing OF a sop TO favor
lite, and that the Office was useless expense to
the city
Mr.. Mckenzie thought this whole matter
| could be settled, as there was not much differ
ence. While be was williug 10 undertake any
investigation that might be thought necessary
ne did not see the use Of going on any further,
as it was evident the difference was caused by
|
the hospital, and which had doubtless been the
origin of the charges
| rPowell said be would withdraw the charge
made, as be found the records were wrong, and
would 60 on with the second, which was read
as follows:
Charged Obtaining money from the city BY
tradulen. accounts.
Specification On the following dates, viz
March 9th, May 3lst, June 23d, July 3lst 1874
j Is. Jof nson claimed rom the Board oil Health
various sums of money which he stated was the
amount of cash he had advanced to the hospital
cook and nurse on account Of wages These
sums were paid him, and the aggregate of these
sums VS. greatly in excess OF the wages due
those employees for their services.
Dr. JohnSoo pronounced the charge false,
and said 1t could not be proved true by human
testimony.
Mr.. Ashby was recalled and produced the
bills, which, upon examination were found to
accord with the expenditures, but the amounts
were not SO recorded in the minutes, the sums
charged for cook s and nurses hire being to-
Guided with other things, and in the examina
ton OF the bills. the amounts charged BY other
parties were found to be about in the same pro-
portion as the charges made by Eaton & Co.
MIR. Mckenzie figured up the total amount
OF wages paid at Sl1U.l3, aud
DR.. johnson explained the payment of the
wages to the employees, stating that so far
| from having any Intention Of detrauding these
poor negroes, he had refused to allow their
wages to be attached, saying that as they had
Jeopardzed their lives In waiting upon the at-
hcteu, he would pay no attention TO attach.
| meutS.
Dr.. Powell said he had stated m the previ.
GUS night that his notes We're taken from the
| mir ~ tba - i'll
were, IN the main, based upon that record,
which, II wrong, OF course, misled him. For
( instance it appeared from the record that there
was an order for $5S,9l for the payment Of
wages OF cook aud nurses for one month, when
upon examination of the bills it now appeared
that other things besides wages were Included.
There was another minute for S5+ for uuQcS
| but upon examination 1t, Was found that SINH
lar rror had been committed.
Mr.. DowDham said that according to his
footing up Of the figures Dr. johnson had saved
the Corporation some Sol.
Mr.. Mckenzie explained how the figures of
Mr.. d. and those 10 the bills differed; one of
the nurses DOT having been employed all the
| time but he thong ht the expenses very mod
crate.
The next charge was then read
Charge 5: Unlawfu'ly assuming the duties of
Al fl e to VII ;ch ne WAS never elected and lie
| gaIly deusnding 8 fee for services
| Specif feat on: That j. B. johnson went, unso.
| lcited oy the C: plain, officers or any of the
crew, on board of q vessel lying in this hsrbor,
passed himself off As the Health Officer of the
| city, demanded and RI ceiyed fee Of 81 for his
services, snd left behind him written certificate
signed u. B. johnson, NJ. D Health Officer"
which office he hiss never held in this city.
DR.. johnson pronounced the charge false 10
spirit aud intent, and incapable of being proved
| by human testimony.
DR.. b \. Stabler was called at the instance
of DR.. Powell, and being sworn, testified that
sometime last fall be had gone on board YES
| sci, the name of which be did not know, to visit
a patient. aud there found certificate signed
J. B. johnson, Health Officer The vessel was
the same one on which was the reported case
OF yellow fever, aud the captain had told him
that be had paid Dr. j. IS for bis visit. He
had gone Oh board the vessel at the request of
the Custom House officer. The patient had
been taken to the Iu6rmary but afterward
| taken to Washington. Witness was physician
m the Infirmarv and racaivp6 m oon pnns,,;on