Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-16
AFTER DIR. BLISS AGAIN.
what DIR. BOYnton Alleges and Mrs.
Garfield IndOrses-A FOrcible Vim
dicatI0n OF Himself by DR., Bliss.
Washington Post.

Washington Post
The following paragraphs appeared in
the Cincinnati Enquirer last week from
its fugacious New York correspondent
as an original contribution:
'T saw last night a photograph copy of let
ter procured by the indefatigable DR.. Baxter,
of Washington, from DIR. Boynton. the homeo-
pathic doctor around the late President. It
said in effect:
"'On the sth Of August. while in the Presi-
dents bed-chamber, in the presence of his
made request that DR.. Bliss be his attending
physician. that position having been occupied
by DR.. Baxter for several years, and that he
had no recollection during his present illness
of having sent for DR.. Bliss, and did not know
how he happened to be in the case
'sThe letter is countersigned on back Octo
ber "a, or since the Presidents death, in the
handwriting of Mrs Garfield, saying:
81 have read this letter, and it is true to my
distinct recollection. LUcRETTA GARFIELD
''As DR. Bliss swore the other day that the
met by this fat denial"
The medical commissioner of the Post
called on DR.. D. W. Bliss at his resi-
dence last evening, and directed his at.
tenLiOn to these grave insinuatiOns
''It's all wrong" said the doctor, "but
if, this thing is pushed more rot will
COul6 W IuO SuIldCO budu tuO AmCIlCdu
people can stomach.
81 never claimed" continued DR..
Bliss, "that the President called me to
his assistance; the Secretary of War
summoned me and cheerfully obeyed.
On the morning of the Sd of July, be-
tween eight and nine o'clock, l pre-
sented the matter of professional at
tendance to the President, Mrs Garfield
being the only one present; stated that
a large number of physicians had
hastened to his side, comprising the
best medical and surgical talent in the
city, and that they had given
valuable advice and assistance in
conducting the case The President
said: This won't do, doctor; such a
body of men is unwieldy | want you
to thank them for their services, and tell
them that they are no longer required
He then added L shall leave to you,
doctor, the matter of selecting your as
sistants; your judgment is better than
mine I then selected Drs. Barnes,
Woodward and Reyburn, stating to the
President my reasons for each, and in
each case he repeated, Entirely satisfac-
tory, doctor. Then turning to Mrs.
Garfield, l said, Mrs Garfield, if there
are one or more physicians whom you
desire to associate with us in this case, |
would be glad to invite them She re-
piled: Doctor, would not add one to
the number, and wish further to say to
you that you shall not be embarrassed in
any way in the conduct of the case. ,"
did Mrs. Garfield" queried the Post
commissioner, afterwards object to you
or either of your assOciates?"
''She did not The morning after the
Presidents death she came to my room
and thanked me for my kind care of her
husband 1t was the only occasion, save
at the Presidents dying bed, that saw
her entirely broken down. The Presi-
dent and Mrs. Garfield, on both occasions,
gave me every evidence of entire conf
dence and satisfaction in the manage
ment of the case; save on one occasion,
when, just before the Presidents re-
moval to Eiberon, Mrs Garfield COM
municated to me the expressed wish of
the President that the original counsel
should be retired, and that Drs. Hamil-
ton and Agnew and myself should have
the sole management of the case.
There must be some cause for these
repeated eruptions. What is it 2"
CDR. Baxter! He is determined, if
possible, to get revenge on me for what
he assumes was an affront put upon him
when he was refused admission to the
council. have reason to believe that
he has enlisted under his banner DR..
Boynton, who is very weak vessel.
And further believe that Dr. Boynton
has, by false representations, misled Mrs.
Garfield and secured the Endorsement
shown to me. do not believe that Mrs.
Garfield would, save upon false repre-
sentations, throw discredit upon those
who devoted their skill and energy and
time to her noble husband, and whose
conduct she so often, both in public and
private, cordially endorsed. Baxter is
the head centre of all this untimely and
unwarranted assault upon me and my
associates"