The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-27
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The Alleged Discrimination at the Hospital
-Unsavory Prints Prohibited.

-UnSaV0ry Prints Prohibited.
The Board of Aldermen met last night. Th'
con tract for building bridge across Pogue'
run at East street. from the Council, was re
Geisendorff street sewer matter was referred tt
the committee sewers and drainage.
The Board concurred in the action Of the
Council in number of matters of minor i'm
portance
The matter of the reinstatement of Robert
Braxton to the fire department. caused consider
able discussion. Messrs Cox and BernhameI
thought the whole matter should be left to the
chief of the department. Messrs. Pritchard and
Prier favored the passage of the resolution ask
ing the reinstatement claiming that Braxton
had been removed as personal favor to Conn
Gilman Seahr. Mr.. Mcl1ugh favored the rein
statement on the score Of civil-service reform.
The action of the Council recommending Brax-
toms reinstatement was concurred in by vote
Of to-
Mr.. Bernhamer submitted resolution that all
vacancies occurring in the fire department
force be filled by the appointment of Democrats
until both political parties are equally repre-
sented in the department, and that no removals
shall be made for political reason. Referred to
fire committee
Mr.. Ntzhugh, submitted the following:
Whereas city ordinance is now in force prohibit
ing the posting of indecent and oathsome prints and
engravlngs upon streets and public thoroughfares,
and whereas, said ordinance is violated with nnpu-
nifty by the city biposters and others, be it, there
fore,
Resolved that the superintendent of police be
and he is thereby requested to enforce said ordinance
Mr.. Rorison moved to amend by adding that
the sale of indecent prints and pictures by the
newsdealers be included, which amendment was
accepted by Mr. McHugh.
Mr.. Pritchard thought it boyish in the Board
of Aldermen to instruct the police to enforce
laws and ordinances that it was clearly their
duty to enforce at all times. Such instructions
are unnecessary. However, he had no objection
to the resolution if it went to the superintendent
of police as calling his attention to the matter,
but 1t need not be printed among the proceedings
of the board.
Mr.. Bernhamer did not think it wrong to call
the attention of the police to the law. The
newspapers and ministerial association have re-
Gently been calling attention to the fact that the
III o'clock law is being violated
Mr.. Ntzhugh, said it was chiefly against the
posters that the theatrical profession have been
in the habit of placing about the city that his
resolution is directed. Some men can stand and
gaze at them and feast their morbid appetites,
perhaps, without further injury to their base ma
lures, but they were corrupting to the children
who looked upon them, and the nude and dis
graceful pictures brought the blush of shame to
wives and daughters who are compelled to pass
by them.
Mr.. Rorison thought the resolution was clearly
right, and should pass the Board and Council.
The resolution, as amended, then passed. only
Mr.. Pritchard voting in the negative
Mr.. Rorison. calling up the medical row now in
progress regarding the right of practitioners of
various schools to privileges at the City Hos
pital, said that while Superintendent Wishard
was capable and efficient man, his conduct in
excluding other schools was manifesty unbe-
coming and unjust. The institution was a pub
lie one, and one in which all taxpayers were
interested, not only allOpaths. but eclectics,
physio medicals and homeopathic The super
lntendents position is not one that should be
taken by an employee and servant of the city,
He then offered the following motion:
That committee of three from this Board be ap-
pointed to confer with the committee appointed by
the Council at its last citing enquire into alleged
partiaty exercised by the hospital superintendent
That it is the sense Of the Board that each pay pa
tient should have the privilege of the attendance and
treatment OF his or her physician.
Mr. Rorison said: Il don't charge that it is
true, but it is said that DR.. Wshard who is a
member of the Indiana Medical College, allows
his prejudices to keep DR.. Eastman, a capable
and eminent surgeon off the staff, and appoints
in HIS p,.,,, man who is not even a citizen-
a Dr. Smith, of Brazil"
MIR. Cox thought - ought to be arranged so
that pay patents Of any school should be admit
ted there.
Mr.. Rorison thought if the hospital board dele
gated the appointment OF the staff to the super
intendent, that is matter that should also be
inquired into. 1t would be better to have a
superintendent who is not physician at all, AS
then he would not be biased by prejudices in
favor of his college and his particular school.
Thapa ran ms n involve this hOSnlta
matter that should be inquired into 1t is now
run in the interest Of a select coterie by the
superintendent, and the greater part of the tax
of this city is paid by citizens who if they were
to go to the hospital, would not be allowed to
receive the character of treatment they prefer.
One of the best hospitals in the West, one in
Cincinnati, has as its superintendent gentle
man who is not physician at all.
Speaking to this motion, Mr.. Prtchard said
that the way the matter is now managed only
the old school has any rights at the hospital.
That even pay patients who desire homeopathic
treatment are not allowed to have such treat
ment. All schools of medicine in this city pay
taxes and each one should be accorded its lights
As things 90 on now it is unjust, and
the city loses money from patients who
would pay Let the superintendent have
his staff of his selection, but let these other
schools have the benefit of the hospital, for the
maintenance of which all the schools pay money
into the city treasury. We are now paying
about So, 900 a year for nurses simply to accom-
modate seven or eight oldschool physicians So
far as the hospital proper is concerned, let the
superintendent have control, but pay patients
should be allowed to select their own physicians
and receive the care of these paid nurses.
Mr.. Rorison said it was not the intention to
interfere with the staff or the proper care and
conduct Of the hospital, but he did not believe
that anything more than the business conduct
of the hospital need be in the hands of the super
intendent
The ayes and noes were called on the motion,
resulting ayes, 8; nays none
Mr.. Endley, who was in the chair, appointed
as the committee Messrs. Rorison Pritchard and
Bernhamer.
The Board then adjourned.