The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-12
The Hospital Removal.

To the Editor OF The Appeal.
From the daily press learn that the
committee OF the Legislative Council haw
ing in charge the hospital question, will
report in favor Of removing that institution
to some new locality-preferably the old
French garden, or the grounds immedi-
ately in the rear OF the same, formerly
known as Oatsmoor.
Memphis is rapidly growing city. and
her necessities in respect TO hospital facili-
ties for the future can hardly be estimated
at present, even by those who have studied
the same in connection with other cities.
Would it not, therefore, be well TO "make
haste slowly" and in the interim discuss
the various questions that may arise con-
nected Herewith? II is the fixed deter
mination OF our city authorities to move
the hospital, regardless Of the interests
Of those most concerned, or il il
is their will TO perpctuate the
existence Of such an institution as we now
have, after il has been removed, regardless
Of the spirit that should govern in the
maintenance OF such charities, then IL will
be proftless TO study the subject. No one
however, believes this TO be the desire,
and consequently the writer is encouraged
in presenting few thoughts for both pub.
lie and official digestion. | do not believe
the authorities can desire TO act without
thoroughly maturing their plans, for the
ance TO every Christian community and as
Il o,,oh Au a.. 81 -.
solicitudo OF all philanthropic spirits.
do not believe that they contemplate the
perpetuation OF such an institution as We
now have, because II is wholly inadequate
TO the wants of a roudand prosperous city
in every particular. But oil this at some
| future time.
Why should changing the location o
the hospital be seriously contemplated
One reason assigned is that the lot now oc
cupied has grown TO be too valuable and i
too extensive for hospital purposes alone.
Another reason is the death OF no many
non-residents within the hospital, unjustly
magniiies the mortality report OF the city.
II tho hospital were without the corpora.
ton the same would be avoided. III the
lirst reason is believed to be true, in tho
face OF our growing necessities, would il
not be the better plan TO sell part OF this
property and occupy the remainder In
SO doing the proceeds OF the sale could be
used for the erection Of building worthy
the name Of hospital, and worthy the
people who sustain III One-iourth OF the
groand would be ample; the remainder
would bring enough at public outcry "a
put up building that would be source
OF pride TO our citizens. Suppose, how
ever, Il Is ascertained that the property
will sell much better as n whole, and with
the hospital away, why 90 so far from the
central part OF The city rs indicated by the
committee? II the property will bring
more by selling IL in a lump, the price oh.
taincd will justify the purchase OF more
centrally located lot and the erection
thereon OF suitable building. This rca-
soning II, OF course, based on the assump-
ton that none Of the proceeds OF the sale
are TO be directed to other purposes.
The idea OF moving the hospital TO the
suburbs Ii without doubt n bad one, for
the reasons that II could not long answer
the purposes OF our growing city; that Il
would subyerl the very basis upon which
the charity is founded by cndangcring the
lives OF applicants In place OF assuring their
restoration; that In numerous instances
cruelty would displacc generous and kind.
ly efforts by the great taxation OF removal
thereto; that another hospital moro Access
sibc would soon be forced upon us. A
suburban hospital would do well for con.
valescents and those suffering from chronic
diseases not wholly disabling them, but
for acute conditions. which exist In the
majority OF those needing aid, a centrally
located hospital IL essential 20 meet the
ends 10 which such charities arc devoted.
A word In regard 10 the unjust increase
OF our mortality by having the hospital
within the corpomte limits. This regard
rs unfortunate, and greatly wish Il could
be ayerted. But, suppose we were 10 To-
cate the Memphis hospital in fernando,
Miss7 Would that mako the deaths oc.
curing therein any the less Memphis
dcaths1 Does any one suppose that her-
nando would embody such deaths in the
mortality report Of that placer Certainly
not. When the necessity for charity upon
our part Ia recognized and the duty as
sumcd, we assume all other responsibilities
and liabilities. Other cities do the same
and they are not going 10 stand quietly BY
and sec Memphis compete with them In
growth and prosperity by lodging honest
mortality tables. No, our only way 10
avert tho large mortality OF tho Memphis
hospital u 10 place II upon n footing that
will favor tie restoration Of It's occupants.
This must be done. Every impulse of
the philanthropic heart demands Il. The
past may be excusable; tho future, with
prosperity ail around, must provide for the
sick and disabled In a manner TO favor
their restoration 10 health.
Hospitals are elccmosynary institutions,
supported solely by taxation and coniribu.
ton, 10 that each citizen has m interest
not only ~ charity, but financially as
well. All charities cmanate from n spirit
OF Christian philanthropy and become a
source OF pride to Christian people, grow.
ing hand In hand with civilization and
chrisiianikation. Memphis Il not, nor can
she afford TO be, behind her sister cities in
the cultivation OF such pride and the ad.
yanccment OF such philanthrophy. This
feeling has, however, not been directed
toward our hospital, for the reason that
most Of our citizens have come 10 regard
the Memphis institution in the liQht of n
place for the caro- OF non-rcsidcnts who
may happen 10 he penniless and sick In
our midst. This feeling Is doubtlcss due 10
the past history OF the hospital, A record
well calculated TO discourage the generous
ly inclined, but largely the result of the
past misioftunes OF our community. be.
hevc ! Is true that one who has ne
sided In Memphis for thirty days
or more cannot secure admission 10
the District hospital, but II he comes
from elsewhere he is promptly admitted.
with 2 liberal experience among the sick
the writer does not hesitate 10 say that this
restriction, however unjust Il may be 10
the Mcmphian, is not a source Of chagrin.