Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-20
DOCTORS DISGRUNTLED.
Secretary Lamar's Sharp Stick Stirs
Them Up.
From tho Washington Post

From TIC Washington Post.
A large number of the representative
medical men of this city responded to the
call for q special meeting of the Medical
Association of the District OF Columbia
last evening, and when the chairman
called the meeting TO order at the George
town University law building, corner OF
Sixth and r streets, at O'Clock last even
ing the hall was crowded.
The object of the meeting, the chair
man stated, was for the purpose OF con-
sidering the action oil the Commissioner
of Pensions In the case oil sick-leave GER
tlfcates OF employees OF the Pension
Bureau. DR.. Garrett then briefly stated
the facts as far as he was concerned IN
them. He had been requested, he said, TO
furnish a certificate OF the Illness of one
OF his patients, who was an emplOye of
the Pension Bureau. He did so and his
statement was sent to Com
missioner Black. The Commissioner, APP
parently not satisfied with his stateme MT
OF his patients illness, sent him request
asking him to state the cause OF his pa
TENTS abse nee from his work at the office
and the nature of the illness. This he
declined to do on the ground that IL was
not in keeping with his duties as physi-
clan and that compliance with such
request on his part would be deemed UNI
professional.
"In view of these facts said DR.. Gar
nett, ~ positively refused TO accede to the
request or demand Of Commissioner
Black. Z"
The secretary of the society then read
a copy of letter OF Secretary Lamar TO
Comm issioner Black, in reply 10 one
from the former, asking the oecretary's
opinion in regard 10 the position the Com
missioner had taken Ia tue matter OF SICK
leave certificates issued by the medical
profe OF this CITY 10 employees OF the
Pension Bureau. secretary Lamar's let
ter stated that the question WAS one that
had been OF no small amount OF annoy
ance TO the department. and that under
the present arrangement considerable
evil had arisen. He su <gested that here
alter the EN- ployes' words be taken as snf-
ficient, aud that they be forced 10 assume
the entire responsibility aud the conse-
duences that might follow any misstate-
ment. The evil OF the present arrange
ment. tne letter stated, was that some Of
the medical profession we're derelict 10
their duty 40 physicians and abused toe
confidence imposed Ia them by the heads
of departments.
The reading OF this letter produced a
storm Of inclination, and after som ami
mated discussion. "A res0 utlon vas ODER d
that a committee OF tbTee Ds appointed 10
wait upon tbs Secretary OF ine Interior
and Commissioner Black, and ascertain
from them ihe names 81 toe physieians
who bad failed "a their duty aud who bad
abused The confidence rsposed IN them by
TIE heads OF departmontss The Laoton
was adopted unAntmamsiy.s Dfs, Toner.
Loyetoy and Busey Being placed on The
committee and directed 70 csll on tne
secretary aud Commissioner to-day. A
motion. 70 reserve any further action ihat
might be found necessary until toe COM
mltiee OF three had reported on TIE result
of their interviews with the Coinmie-
sloner and secretary was nnaliy adopted.
ADD the meeting adjourned 70 await re-
suits.