The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-21
BOOTS Is IN
Governor Gray ReOrganizes the State Board
Of Health by Supplanting DR.. Partridge.

''Boots is in,D was the rather surprising in
formation that was given out at the executive
department yesterday morning in relation to
she recent State Board of Health trouble, grow
ing out of the discovery that the act of the late
Legislature, providing for the appointment of an
additional member of the board, was not valid
because the enactipg clause had been omitted
The Governor had appointed DR. S. S. Boots, of
Greenfield, to all the position, before the dis
covery was made known, and be was deeply
Disguised doctor when he found that
by stupid blunder. for which his own party
vas responsible, he had been shut OUT OF the
coveted place. The nvalidity of the act became
known on the day that the special session OF the
General Assembly ended, just at the time when
DR.. Boots had come to town to assume the oath
of office as member of the board, and while
the other members were here to attend the reg
ular quarterly meeting Far q day or two there
was some ''cussing' and threatening, abruptly
ending in those who were most concerned sud
denly taking most conservative and philosoph-
ical view of the unfortunate blunder which had
Knocked Boots out of an Office before he had really
got into it. The matter received further
attention, as it was generally supposed that 1t
had effectually settled itself Dr. Elder. the
secretary of the board, however, suspected there
was some scheming and by dlgent inquiry he
learned that it was supposed that there was
some defect in the organization, of which the
Governor intended TO take advantage for the
purpose Of getting his man Boots on the board.
The scheme developed yesterday morning, when
DIR. Elder called at the Office of the Secretary or
State to file certified copies of the oath of Office
taken by Drs. Lomax, Partridge and himself as
members of the board 1t was found that
'Boets was in;' that. a commission as
member Of the State Board of Health
until the next session of the General
Assembly had been issued to him on last Thurs
day, that he had taken the oath of office on the
same day aud a certified copy OF the affidavit
had been fled in the Secretarys Office. No an
nouncement of the appointment had been made
by the Governor, and the whole proceeding had
been kept quiet.
When asked why Dr. Boots had been appoint
ed to succeed DR.. Partridge the Governor said
10 a Journal reporter: There is no record show
Ing that the appointment of Dr. Partridge
was confirmed by the Senate and he
has never fully complied with the legal
requirements III qualifying as member of the
board. None of the members have. So far as
the official records ara concerned, regard his
position as vacant and as / was for Boots, /
appointed him to the position. He was commits
stoned and he qualified last week. DR. Lomax
was not legally member of the board, and his
position might have been filed in the same way
Out i dlu not LHlDk OF any one WHOM L wanted 10
appoint, and was not running about the State
looking for some person to take the place. AS he
has since fled certified copy of his oath of
Office he has now legally qualified and
cannot be removed. There has been
q great deal Of carelessness about
complying with the law requiring that officers
shall file certified copy of their official oath.
The State Mine Inspector and the Fish Commits
sioner appointed by Governor Porter, both
failed TO properly qualify
1t is believed that DIR. Partridge will not yield
his office to the gentleman appointed by Gov
ernor Gray as his successor until the question OF
who is entitled to the position is decided in the
courts. There will probably be mandamus
proceedings" remarked a gentleman interested
In the matter, yesterday, land it is safe to say
that TREY will have to be brought by DIR. Boots.
Dr. Partridge. isn't a man who will
stances as these" It is claimed that the
appointment of DIR. Partridge, which was made
by Governor Porter over two years ago, was
confirmed by the Senate in 1883, and that he took
the customary oath of office but that, like all
the other members of the board, he failed to
have certified copy filed in the Secretary of
States Office.
If it is decided that Dr. Boots is the valid
member instead of DIR. Partridge, the board will
consist Of three Democrats and one Republican.
1t is not expected that there will be any attempt
to remove DIR. Elder, the secretary, as he is a
most efficient officer, and change only be
made by preferring charges showing cause for
his removal When his term expires
however, Democrat will probably
be elected as his successor. The term of the
secretary is for four years: DR.. Elder is filing
the term for which Dr. Thad. S. Stevens was
drst appointed. but DIR. e. r. Hawn was after
wards chosen to succeed him and DIR. Elder is
Hawns successor. The term of four years,
which began with Steyenss appointment will
end in next November.