The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-09
REVOLUTION IN THE BOARD.
Extraordinary Proceedings Of Democrat
ic Members of the State Health Board.
By Preconcerted Arrangement, Boots Is De-
clared Member, and Secretary Elder
Supplanted by Dr.. Metcalf.

The special meeting of the State Board OF
Health, yesterday, for the ostensble purpose of
settling the question Of whether Dr. Partridge
or Dr. Boots was entitled to the disputed right
the former has held for over two years, and to
which the latter was recently appointed by Gov.
Gray, was revolutionary rather than conciliatory.
The meeting was called upon the unanimous
request of the members of the board and of DR..
Boots II was understood that the board should
endeavor to settle the question as to who should
be recognized as the legal member, but that the
organization of the board should not be dis
turbed in any other way. Dr. Lomax, the
president, Dr. Partridge and DR.. Elder. the Re-
publican members, were in the Office
at IL o'clock, the hour fixed for
meeting. when Drs. Seawright, Fritsch and
Boots, the Democrats, came in together. They
had previously been in consultation for two
several leading Democrats and State officers,
where their course of action had been fully
agreed upon. When they entered the office of
the board they seated themselves, and before
DR.. Lomax, the president, could cali order, DR..
Fritsch moved that DR. Seawright should be
elected chairman. DR.. Boots put the ques-
ton, and declared Seawright elected, although
the three Republican members had voted in OPP
position to the motion. DR.. Lomax protested
against the proceeding, and the Republicans de-
manded division, declaring that Seawright had
not been elected. 'sWe do not recognize you,"
replied DR.. Boots, who had assumed the author
of obn pharc ND ho-
cause you have not legally qualified" The
Democrats then proceeded to elect Sea-
wright permanent president of the
board, and DR.. G. N, Metcalf, of this city,
wac elected permanent secretary, to succeed Dr.
E. s, Elder, who had, they declared, been hold
ing the position under board not quail
fed to legally elect him. The Republicans voted
against Metcalf but they were given no recogni-
ton, and he was declared elected
''You gentlemen" Dr. Elder said to Dr. Sea-
wright, may as well understand right now that
we do not regard these proceedings as legal, and
whoever comes in here to take my place
comes in to fight, for / will not give
to put me out. He may bring legal proceedings,
quo warranto or something of that kind, and, of
course, will abide by them, but shall not be
put out in any other way"
Inc tnre0 D0mOcraLlc memOerS, aICcr having
organized themselves into board in the man
ner stated, withdrew from the Office, leaving the
three Republicans, who proceeded to transact
the regular business, as complacently as if moth
ing had occurred to disturb the serenity of
the organization. They constituted quorum,
and if Drs. Fritsch and Seawright preferred not
to take part in the proceedings it was not
matter of any concern to them, because it did
not affect the validity of their transactions.
After disposing of all the routine business they
brought their session to an end by adjourning
until the second Thursday in June, the time
fixed for the regular quarterly meeting.
In the afternoon the members Of board No. 2
met at the Office, with DR.. Metcalf, their secre-
detailed to make sanitary inspection OF the
towns which were assigned to DR.. Partridge at
the last regular meeting, and they allowed them
Indianapolis they h ordered that s. circular p
letter to local health officers should be issued,
instructing them to address all communications
to DR.. Metcalf, who should be recognized as the
legal secretary and executive officer Of the State
placed on the doors of the boards rooms, and it.
was decided that he should be allowed salary
Of 81. 200 year formal request to DR.. Elder
to deliver to Metcalf the records OF the board
was made, and he refused to comply with it, sta
ting he had been legally elected secretary; that
his time had not expired. and that he had not
been deposed. He regarded himself as the only
legal secretary, and he would comply with no
demand for the records that did not come from
the courts. This reply was received by the
members of Board No. as if it had been ex-
pected, and the matter was not discussed. They
decided to adjourn until Tuesday, June 2, and
so Drs. Elder and Metcalf are left to fight the
war between the two boards out
The situation is interesting, and the fun seems
likely to last all summer. The Democrats have
decided advantage, because they have the
support Of the State officers, who will refuse to
receive the warrants from Board No. l. DR..
TN r
continue sending out orders to the local health
boards; but he is left without any funds
for defraying the expenses Of this work
and, as his clerks are employed by the Secretary
of State, he will be without their assistance, be-
cause they have already been ordered to pay no
attention to any instructions from any one but
DIR. Metcalf. The Democrats are endeavoring to
force DIR. Elder and the Republican members to
carry the matter into court, while these gentle
men are disposed to avoid taking the lead in any
tinuing to perform their official duties,
without giving any attention to board
No. 2. The outcome is somewhat uncertain.
The Republicans declare that they will not sub
Democrats claim that they have the inside and
will not yield The wrangle will of course,
have demoralizing effect upon the sanitary or
ganization of the State, and will necessarily
weaken the efficiency, because the local officers
will not recognize the same State board,
and which is the legally constituted body will
be disputed question. The State Auditor yes
terday recognized the vouchers of board No. p
composed Of the Democrats--and issued war
rants for their expenses, while the vouch-
ers of Board No. were all rejected.
The Governor, late in the afternoon, reap
pointed DR.. Lomax member Of the State
Board. His term had not expired, and it is un-
derstood that the formality of the appointment
was in pursuance of the scheme to crowd DR..
Partridge off the board.
DR.. Boots, the entering wedge Of the disturb
ance in the board, stated yesterday that he felt
secure, because he had been assured by the Gov
ernor and the Attorney general that he had le-
gally qualified.
Journal reporter called at the Office of the
Attorney general and inquired whether, in view
Of the legal questions involved, No. ! or No
is the lawfully constituted board
II will probably be called upon" the Attorney
al liod lfo civ ofdicial