Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-09-26
FROM THE CAPITAL.

|
Term of ONCE of Postmaster General
James-Dr. Bliss Answers Some Quss-
tions About the Presidents Treatment,
but Declines to Touch Upon the Autopsy
WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. 20-To-day has
been the first really quiet Sunday in
Washington since July 3, the White house
patient being always at his worst on Sunday.
| President Arthur observed it by attend
ing st. Johns Episcopal church in
| the morning and it is presumed he will
hereafter attend that church. 1t is situated
directly opposite the White house, across
Lafayette square, and is the Oldest church in
presidents, beginning with Madison. The
attendance at all the churches was more
than usually large, and the sermons
in all bore on the recent public
bereavement. All the churches announced
special services tomorrow. The Christian
church to-day was crowded, and the emotion
of the people when President Garfield was al
luded to in the prayers, was uncomfortable,
the people weeping and sobbing in all parts
of the church.
ARTHUR's HEALTH.
The statement published IN an evening pa
per yesterday, that President Arthur was suf-
fering from ague, is untrue. His health is
good, though somewhat affected bp the ner-
vous strain of the last three months. He has
no malarial symptoms.
POSTMASTER GENERAL JAMES.
The Republican tomorrow will editorially
point out tina. section 3SS, revised statutes,
provides that the postmaster general shall
hold his office only for the term of the presi-
dent by whom he is appointed, and thirty days
thereafter, unless sooner removed, and will
claim that if Mr.. James is to continue IN the
cabinet he must be appointed October 10 the
next.
ORGANIZING THE SENATE.
1t seems to be conceded here that the Demo-
Gratis will exercise their power to organize the
senate, including the secretary, and that no
attempt will be made by the Republicans
seriously to dispute it, because it will avoid
all reason of any dispute. In regard to the
Republican nominations for secretary and
sergeant.at-arms, Gorham and Riddleberger, it
is said, cannot receive the full Republican vote
in any event. There is very prevalent rumor
that Gorham is to be appointed public printer,
in place of Defrees.
THE AUTOPSY.
WASHINGTON, Sept 25-The Republican,
to-day, presented ,editorially,a number of ques-
tions bearing on President Garfeld's case, and
also as to the truth or falseness of the autopsy
as stated in the bulletin from Elberon. Bliss
to-day takes up and replies to the questions
categorIcally, as follows: The first question
put is, "Could the course of the ball and in
jury inflicted by it have been discovered by the
exercise of proper medical skillt" To this he
replied the report of the gentlemen conducting
the autopsy would be the proper one to answer.
"If this could have been known in the earliest
stages of the case, could not the burrowing
of pus caused by the shattered rib, which
formed the pus sack nearly twelve inches in
length, have been prevented?"
This is part of the professional history
which was also revealed by the autopsy, and
must decline to answer 1t also.
If this could have been prevented would not
the patient be saved from blood poisoning?
The same conditions as to being answered
by me obtain in this as on previously interro-
cations.
Was the stomach properly treated9
The greatest possible care was exercised in
regard to the functions of digestion and as
similatiOn. NOurishment was carefully
prepared under direction of, or by one of the
surgeons in attendance, and during almost the
whole course of treatment, were administered
by one of them at the first intimation of the
failure of the stomach to perform
physiological rest, and resort was
had to other measures. This course was
pursued after most careful study of the
previous conditions of the president, and of
such maladies as he had previously suffered
from, | believe the manner in which ke was
sustained during the period of twenfTnine
days is the best answer as to the course pur
sued.
Was the best medical talent employed or
fop Ir;r
and even the presidents wishes as to his med
ical attendants regarded, or were it on the con-
trary persistently thwarted?
In reply to these questions, both of which
involve the same answer, l may say
that the verdict of the medical
profession of the world on the history of the
case, its treatment and pathological condition
revealed at the autopsy will be my best vindi-
cation. As to the other gentlemen who were
associated with me as counsel, and who with
perfect unanim1ty sustained the diagnosis,
can be but one opinion. They
stand prominent in their profession and are
men whose opinion will be taken as dicta
of modern surgery. They, like myself, will
be tried by their peers on the facts, and will
cheerfuIly submit to the just judgment Of an
enlightened profession; Now in regard to the
wishes of the President, the secretary of war
sent his caraiage for me immediate
ly after the shooting with message to take
charge of the presidents case until further
orders. On arriving at the depot was i'm
mediately conducted to the room where the
president lay and assumed charge of the case,
feeling was thereby proper authority. The
history and conduct OF the case is not peril
nent until the following Sunday morning,
when the president had fully reacted and had
several hours of rest, was cheerful and
competent to attend to any ordinary business
when presented the matter of his prefer
ences as to attendance on him, Mrs. Garfield
being present. there explained to him fully
the valuable professional assistance
large numer of medical gentlemen
had rendered up to that time
representing as they did the best medical tai
ent in the city. His reply was, "Of course,
doctor, it will not do to have too large num-
ber of medical gentlemen in attendance.
Such number of surgeons would
be cumbersome and unwieldy." I
then said, "Mr. President, it is
Your duty to select your medical attendants.
| "Now," he replied, vi desire you to take
charge Of my case. know of your expert
ence and skill and have full confidence in your
| Judgment, and wish you to thank
the doctors individually for their
kind attendance" 1 thanked him and
replied it would be necessary to select three or
| four medical men asscounsel in the case. He
replied: ~ shall leave that entirely with you.
Vor, Lpoxr vbot to 1art ~