The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-06
BOARD OF HEALTH WRANGLE.
Why Hurry Opposes carp and Takes the Sec
retaryShip with a Questionable Title.

At the time when the Board of Health adj
3ourned last Tuesday, tied upon the ques-
!ion whether DR.. Hurry should succeed DIR.
carp in the secretaryship, all the members
FELT that a storm was brewing for the next
meeting, and yesterday morning it came.
DR.. Pettijohn was in the chair and created
"a stir by drawing from his pocket the min
-utes of the last meeting, which he had pre-
pared claiming that as no regular secretary
had been appointed it devOlved on him as
the president and only legally constituted
officer TO keep the record. Colonel Ruckle
objected. but DR.. Pettijohn, of course, ruled
10 sustain the action of the chair, on the
question being raised, and said the election
of a temporary secretary was in order. A
scene of some confusion followed, In which
much strong feeling was manifested. Drs.
Hurry and carp were both nominated, and,
after repeated ballots, resulting In a tie
each time, the president said that as
no temporary secretary could be elected, he
considered 1T In order to appoint one him.
self, and forthwith named DIR. Hurry, with
out consulting anybody, and the latter be-
gan to serve.
DIR. Pettijohn then ruled that the election
of permanent secretary was in ORDER and
placed DIR. Hurry In nomination.. Colonel
II II.
ination again, and the balloting COM
menced. Five ballotsw taken, resulting
in a tie each time, and it was then de
manded of Dr. Hnrty to say why he
six physicians of this city have asked me-
90 become a candidate for the position, say
ing that they had no personal objection to
DR.. carp as man, but that they could not
cooperate heartily with the board so long
as the real executive officer was a rival
practitioner. No physician can be
expected to introduce to his patient
a rival practitioner as his superior
IN all sanitary points 1t would
ruin his practice. Hence, so long as the
secretary of the Board of Health IS prac-
titioner In the active pursuit OF his profess
sion, physicians cannot and will not Coop
crate with him heartily in his work: A
committee OF fiye from the physicians
tention of the profession to cooperate
with the board, but that this OBJ
viOusly could not be done, so long
as the doctors were compelled to
call in an executive officer, in regular prac-
tice, and make him their superior in these
matters before their patients. New York.
Cleveland and Detroit, recognizing this,
have all elected nOn-practitioners to the
of those cities is due to the warm cO-Opera-
ton of the physicians. AS it is, / could
Withdraw from this contest were it not that
DIR. Earp's friends, and | sincerely hope that
IT.. HOOKING
straight at the Doctorl have accused me
openly In the public prints of being in
league with those men who are accused
of desiring to sell to this community rotten
and unwhOlesome meat. This accusation
was made without particle of evidence. l
believe that those who know me know
that am utterly incapable of combining
with such men, but still have heard, from
various sources, the matter seriously dis
cussed whether or not i was in league
with these nefariOus persons. Ridiculous
and absurd reasons have been publicly cir
culated against my candidacy, that have
not q vestige of truth In them, 1t has been
said that / want this office that NAV have
an opportunity to study sanitary science.
In this connection it would be right for
me to say that, for over ten years,
! have, been actively practicing .sani-
tary chemistry, and feel myself no
of secretary of this board would give me
opportunities for enlarging my knowledge
in this direction. Now, / hope Dr. carp is
IN no wise engaged in making these false
accusations with his friends against me,
yet until he publicly repudiates them as
false must conclude that he is willing to
accept the benefits that may be derived
from their circulation. and / cannot con-
sistently Withdraw from this cOncest under
such conditions, having no choice but to
continued my candidacy for the secretary
ship"
Ten more ballots were then taken, each
Ruekle moved adjournment, which was
also tied. Then DR.. carp and Colonel
Ruckle started to leave the room, but be-
fore they could reach the door, DIR. Petit
john called for votes on the motion to elect
Hurry, and the two gentlemen just named
not responding, the president and DR..
Hurry voted the latter in, he receiving, as
DR.. Pettijohn said, "all the votes cast" and
1t was ordered recorded that he was elected.
By this novel procedure new secretary
was created for the Board of Health, but
DR.. carp will dispute the election.