The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-22
THE STATE HEALTH BOARD.
A Little Surprise Which the Republican
Members VIII Hardly EpiOy.
DR. Boots Quietly Dons the Oficial
Sandals Of DR.. Partridge.

Since the discovery that the bill reorgani-
ziDg the state Board of Health so Rs to give
the Democrats majority was bat headless
trunk and therefore without life and power
less TO give life, the Republicans have been
quietly enjoying their victory and chuck
ling over what appeared to them, and to
every one else for that matter, az inexcusa-
bic oversight IN the Legislature. Bat there
came TO light yesterday little affair which
illustrates the want OF penetration on the
part OF the Republicans, and which was dis.
covered too late to apply remedy, IL the
Governor and State officers are not mistaken
In their views CT the law governing in the
case, which has already been turned TO the
profit of the Democ rats in general aud Dr..
Boots in particular. When the G Jvernor
discovered that the reorganization bill was
imperative On account of wanting the enact
irg clause, he determined to Look
closely into the appointment of the
Republican mem bers, and he sooa found
Jn.e'ue reDste jonTnals did not record the
fact that DR.. Partridge, OF South Bend, had
ever been confirmed by the Senate after be-
ing nominated By Governor Porter. In lo)k-
ing through the records in the ofics OF Sac
Jetary OF Stats, the Governor also discovered
that neither Dfs. Lomax or Partridge had
fled certified copy OF their oath of Off cs.
a still further examination found DR.. Elder,
q,
This discovery was made on Thursday, aud
the Governor Immediately telegra ohed for
DR.. Boots to come TO the city. Upon the ar
rival of that gentlemsn he was duly CON-
missi0Ied member Of the State Board of
health, took the oath of Office and fled a
certified copy Of the same with the Secretary
OF State. DR.. Boots said nothing 70 any one
concerning his appointment, and the Cover
FOR was seeking a successor to DR.. Lomax
when this part Of the programme was blocked
by a certified copy OF DR. Lomsx's oath of
Office beng fled with the Safe Secretary at
o'clock yesterday N orning.
In conversation with Governor Gray, yes
terdey be gave the facts substantially az
narrated in the foregoing and said that he
had no doubt of the absolute legality of DE-.
Boots appointment and questioned very
much whether We have had a State B0ar1 OF
Health since the appointment OF the two
members who failed 70 comply with the Law
regarding the fling of q certified copy OF
their oaths of Office. When asked regarding
the effect of this discovery upon the Sscre-
tsry, be said that the only question involved
YVES whether the board that elected him had
any such rght lie was inclined to think
that the board was not legal one. and
therefore the election of Secretary was not
legal lie said that the fling of a certified
copy CT the oath Of Office of Dr.. Lomax
would cure the defect heretofore existing in
his case and, of course, preclude the possibil-
appeared to be very well pleased that it was
10 his power to constitute Democratic ma
jority IN the board. and, il the appointment
of Dr.. Boots holds good land there is no
question in his mind regarding it) he has
certainly succeeded much better than the
Legislature in the effort.
Itappears that DIR. Elder learned last weak
that surprise was in store for the board,
and he started out to find what it was. By
Saturday morning, after deal OF hustling,"
he had the true IN wardness of the move. aad
be Immediately telegraphed Drs. Lomaxa
Psrtridge concerning the situation. Both
physicians were sworn in at the time they
were appointed, but neither complied with
the law requiring certified copy of the oath
to be fled. Upon receiving d.. Elders tele-
gram they again took the oath OF Office, Dr.
Lsmsx at Marion and DR.. Partridge at South
Bend and forwarded certified copies OF the
fame 10 DR.. Elder, who in the meantime had
taken the oath OF Office q second time. and
al the certified copies we're 6led at al early
hour yesterday morning. When seen by
Sentinel reporter DR.. Elder was resting
comfortably" and did not appear to think
that the change in the status OF affairs would
affect him in the lesst. He recsived GER
ti6cats CT his eleciion. signed by the
President aud Secretary, aud though,
like the Others, he had failed to file
certified copy of his oath OF Office he
regarded his action of yesterday az curing
any defect in that regard. He said that he
could be removed only for cause, and he
knew the members Of the board to be gen.
tlemen, and did not fear the adoption of any
extraordinary or Illegal measures to replace
him with Democrat.
There is little doubt but DR.. Partridge
will test the matter in the courts rather than
yield the point He is said to be not only
tenacious, but pugnsclous ~ well, and il