River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-10-06
THE DOCTORS BILLS.
specuiations as to the Expenses of the
Presidents Illness The Govern
ment should and VIII Pay all Bills

A gossipy letter to the Troy Times,
written q few days before the presi-
dents death when indications pointed
TO convalescence, thus talks about the
payment of the expenses connected
with the Presidents sickness, ETC.:
The talk yesterday afternoon at Mr..
Browns cottage concerned the ques-
ton OF who was to pay the bills in
Cured during the presidents illness.
At the time there were present several
members of the presidents staff, an
army officer, and two newspaper cor
respondents. 1t was mentioned that
economy was one of the presidents
objects in dispensing with the services
of the three physicians and Mrs. Edison.
81 do not think" said the army man
present, whose name | do not feel at
liberty to give, as the conversation was
of a half private nature, "that economy
can be the real reason, unless the presi-
dent meant to be economical of the
nations money; for most certainly he
will not be called upon to pay any of
the bills. As president he is the chief
officer of the army, and as such en-
titled to surgical and medical treat
ment at public expense. 1t is quite
certain that he was shot as the head of
the nation, and the nation should take
care of him. If he had not been presi-
dent he would not have incurred
Guiteau's animosity. There can be no
question as to the alacrity with which
congress would pass an appropriation
bill paying all the expenses of this
unhappy affair" "But," said a listen
er, "does not the president take the
risk of such dangers? If Postmaster
General James should be shot down to-
morrow by disappointed applicant
for postoffice, would the government
be expected to take care of him?'
"Most certainly" was the answer.
"The postmaster general and the presi-
dent do not agree for so much salary to
allow themselves to be used as targets
during their terms of Office. If
merchants laborer gets hurt while
handling heavy boxes, it is not usual
for the man to be turned adrift and
allowed to die. Yet the man may
have brought on the accident by his
own carelessness or want of skill. In
the presidents case the same argument
is stronger. He incurred Guiteau's
animosity by doing his duty and refus-
ing to consider the applications for
Office of man known to be vicious
and incompetent. The country viii be
only too glad to pay the bill incurred"
The amount of these bills was the
next topic discussed, and Secretary
Brown, after figuring up for moment,
estimated that the cost of the Presi-
dents illness would not be far short of
$3.50 200. The doctors, he thought,
with the exception of Barnes and Wood
ward, who, as army surgeons, are ex-
pected to attend the president as part
of their official duties, should receive
at least 100000, and perhaps much
more. DR.. Reyburn was in attendance
sixty eight days, which, at 500 day.
would entitle him to $500. DIR. Bliss
will probably receive $25, 900. Drs.
Hamilton and Agnew's bill will not, it
is thought, be more than $15, 900 apiece.
1t must be remembered that the pro-
tessional fortunes of all these men are
made by their connection with this
case, and there is not surgeon in the
country who would not attend the
president day and night for months for
the mere honor and reputation of the
thing Ga singular thing" said Mr..
Brown, "and one which indicates the
feeling of the people in the matter, is
that we experience the greatest diff
Guilty in getting bills from any one.
Even persons who render services which
are usually paid for at once, such as
Furnishing food, carriages, medicines,
instruments, ETC., refuse 10 send in their
bills, and | do not know Of a single bill
yet sent in for services or goods rem
dered to the president during his i'll
ness"
1t is generally thought that the plan
to be followed when congress meets and
| the President is completely GONZALES
cent will probably be to send a circular
| to every person who has rendered SER
vice to the President requesting that
| bill shall be sent, and then an appro-
| priation can be made for the whole
sum. The President is very scrupu-
lous in wanting everything paid for,
and wishes all the articles sent by
tradesmen as presents to him at the
White House either to be returned Or
bought and paid for, if they are con-
1 SlutICQ do WOIbu hccpllS AHC u Ituh
is" said Mr.. Brown, speaking of this,
that not one of the articles out of the
scores receive every day is worth any
thing. On an average, l get five or six
medical connections warranted to cure
the President, no matter what his con-
dition. Then, there are the patent
furniture men, who send beds, and
chairs, and ventilators, and foot-rests
without end. Unless they are paid for
in advance, refuse to receive them,
for the bills for expressage are some
times formidable. One lunatic sent a
full set of articles for a sort of gym
nasium at home--trapeZe, swinging
bars, spring board, ETC., expecting the
President to get well by practicing with
his devices. Here is a queer article l
received to-day" says Mr.. Brown, pull
ing out sort of an enormous rubber
handkerchief, which the article was in
tended for. "The man who sends this
writes that every man can be his own
washwoman by using this handk erchief,
for no other washing is needed, except
ing to throw it into the watcI and wiring
it out. 1t keeps down the wash bills,
you see. The inventor says he hopes
the President will use it, because 1t is
the first one made after the patent was
granted. If there was any danger of
the Presidents stock of handkerchiefs
giving out we might take rubber
handkerchief, but not before"