Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-14

surgeon General HamiItOn.s Defense.
HE BRINGS COUNTER CHARGES AGAINST MEMBERS OF
THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH-HB SAYS AN
ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO PACK CoNNITTEE-A
SCENE IN THE ROOM OF THE HOUSE PUBLIC HEALH
COMMITTEE.
Surgeon General Hamilton, OF the marine hospital
erVice, appeared before the House committee on
public health to-day, to answer the charges made
against him by Mr.. Waring, secretary Of the
national board OF health, the last meeting Of the
committee. Dr. Cabell, president of the board Of
health, and Col. Waring. Dr. Smart, DR.. Brown, and
1homas S1monS, OF the board Of health, were
present during the hearing.
In answer to the charge Of ineff1cfency DR.. Ham,
1lton showed papers from the various parts OF the
country where epidemic diseases prevalent, tes-
lylnS 10 the entire success OF the operations of
the marine hospital service, and at the same time
giving statements to show that, the other hand
the board Of health had been eXtravagant and un-
successful He referred 10 the sinking OF Turner's
quarantine boats, and Dr. Verdi's essay, for
which ne was paid 800, as examples OF extraya-
gance and bad management
In answer TO Dr. Sharps charges that he (Dr.
Hamiton) had endeavored TO create public sentt-
ment against the national board OF health. he
said that on the contrary, DR.. Sharp had himself
written letters to all the sanitarans In the country
just before the health convention held at In
dlanapolis asking them to attend and USE their In
uence In the interest Of the board OF he; .th: and
also, that the influence OF patronage had been used
In the interest Of that board.
AN ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO PACK COMMITTEE.
He then said that he had something to say con-
the president OF the board OF health to pack the
present committee on public health. He said that
he understood that soon after Mr. Carlisle was
elected to the speakership, and before the commit
wrote letter to the Speaker, asking him to place
certain members on the committee on public
health.
DIR. cABELL's EXPLANATION.
At the close OF DR.. HamiltOn's statement Dr.
Cabell asked permission to make statement con-
corning this letter. He then said that he had gone
to Mr. Carlisle shortly after he became Speaker OF
the House, and asked that he place men upon that
committee who took interest In the public health
explaining that his reason for asking this was that
In previous Congresses the members OF the COM
mittee had taken so little interest in the matter
that they could seldom get quorum together to
consider any subject. He said that Mr.. Carlisle
then asked him to put this request in writing and
he would give 1t due consideration. This he says
he did. making out lisp OF about twenty names
and 1nclOsing them in the letter. He disclaimed
however, any intention OF packing the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS ALSO EXPLAINS.
Mr.. Davis, OF Mass, one OF the members OF the
committee, said that as he had for some years
served upon the local board Of health Of Massachu-
sets, there might be reflection that his being
placed upon the committee was due to packing
process He explained the circumstances attend
Ing his appointment on the committee. saying that
he had been asked by DR.. Cabell If he would serve
on the committee, and had objected. The question
as to how he would act II placed upon the commit
tee was not referred to. He said II there was any
implication that he had been placed upon
the committee through improper influences he would
taken created some excitement in the committee
ROOM and several OF the members spoke upon the
subject. Dr. Hamilton said he did not Believe the
committee had been packed but he wanted 20 show
that the attempt had been made. He said further
that the appropriations for the local boards Of
health was a corruption fund, and that 1t was un-
derStOod that these boards were to support the
haHds that fed them His statement to the COM
mtttee will be continued next Thursday.