National Republican., 1877-07-07
THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE DOC,
Tons

"Ccnsure is the tax q man pays for being
eminent" and this the three gentle
men who, rs District Commissioners, are
at the head of the heart of the nation,
must have known when they consented to
become the successors of the late Mayor,
Board of Aldermen and Board of Common
Council and the later Governor, Legislature
and Board of Public Works. That they
should always think and act wisely is more
than in reason could he expected of them,
and while it affords us pleasure to contribute
TO the general approval which is the reward
OF intelligent measures towards beneficent
ends, 1t is also melancholy duty to dwell
upon an occasional error of the three tn
bunes Of the people.
Tho District of Columbia is fortunately
possessed oi medical faculty distinguished
Tor professional ability, integrity and indus
try. 1t Is also unfortunately possessed of o
large element of paupcrism, which dwells
at public expense on the classic banks of
the Anacostia. AS poverty begets disease
| and, rice rc,sd, the political economist and
philanthropist labOrs to reduce the two evils
| to the lowest degree possible, and ~ a mere
matter of municipal police and frugality,
| this end is soonest accomplished by trans
ierring the INDECENT sick from the hospital
of the slmshOusc to the fields of the aims
house; those fields we mean where the resi-
dent plants and is not planted, and then
from those fields to the outside world
where they may renew their self-sustaining
efforts. Any step which will contribute to
make n sick paupcr well citizen is an ad-
vance in the direction Of reducing taxation.
In addition to this, il an institution which
is the refuge of the lazy, the vicious or the
afflicted can be made cOntributory to the
= Al -l,aIa nf Nha
whole of mankind, II remains no longer a
mere necessary evil, but becomes factor in
tile workshop of progress
Al of the various institutions throughout
this country supported by taxation and
dedicated to the well-being of those who
will not support themselves in health and
cannot provide for themselves in sickness
are furnished by staff Of surgeons and
physicians who gratuitously contribute
their skill to alleviating suffering, curing
disease and checking an otherwise grow
ing draft upon the public treasury. Tn,
medical man is provcrbially charitable in
extending his aid to the poor. lie is also
if n true physician, enthusiastic enough tc
accept as full reward for his services tn,
knowledge he derives and the pleasure III
enjoys from those good offices which art
exclusively within the range OF the art o
all arts
In all other cities the public hospitals arr
not only y.under the control OF volunteers o
high standing in the profession, but they
.ue also the schools of those young recruit,
who, uc, ,Drding to the advantages allUrdc,
them 20 I0ith to cure or to kill.
We have two medical colleges here who's,
faculties were ready to furnish the Distric
Commissioners with Il staf' of four surgeons
md four rhl sjriaus Of talent aud experience
.!rN,r,c trudy and willing TO undertake
e.. ,.. o. the inl'rmury heretofore con
.G ..rh tine Wo.&-h"us" They Oilere'
uD r,..".. .l'uu,ly and the Commits
., ...,H n.'n .".nr Of the variety q
, 0.' ..r,. n". m.. consequent upon tn
la ,p..o. ,. 30 9 onnr. That humanit.
'wln,u . ,G r.ia.u the bosOms Of the incOr