Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-07
A COLOR LINE.
Mr.. Edmunds' Resolution Said 90 be
Aimed at . Founding Hospital.


The purpose Of Senator Edmunds' resolution,
agreed TO by the Senate, directing the Com
missioners 10 furnish the Senate with any infoe-
nation in their possession concerning the en-
clusion Of persons from any Of the charitable
institutions OF the District on account Of race,
color, or previous condition Of servitude, has
excited considerable discussion. ana there has
been, il is stated. much apprehension. The
resolution, il is stated. had no reference what
ever TO the reform school. where provision h
made for both white and colored boys.
SANITARY OFFICER FRANK SAID
to-day that he never knew OF the color line
having been drawn IN any District hospital.
colored patients, be said, were sent 10 nearly
all, II not 10 every. hospital in the District
and, 30 far as he was informed. not single one
had ever been refused Colored persons. he
knew, had been sent TO Providence, Columbia.
Freedman's and other hospitals. He aid not
remember whether any colored patients had
ever been sent TO Garfield hospital or not
WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS sAY.
The District Commissioners. when asked
about the matter to-day, said that although
they had an intimation Of the state OF affairs,
they had never been informed of il officially
but just as soon the matter Is brought to
their attention they will order an investigation
II is understood that the resolution is based
upon the fact that the management Of the
Washington founding hospital has refused 20
admit and care for colored foundlings Con-
gress has made appropriation 10 aid in the sup
port Of that institution.
AT THE HOSPITAL
At the Washington founding hospital TODAY
a STAR reporter was informed by the matron
that at present they had no colored ward. and
she was not permitted TO receive colored
foundlings. Men had been there. she said 20
make measurements and estimates for adding
a coiored ward, and she expected that provision
would be made for them.
WHAT A MANAGER SAYS.
Mr.. NJ. NJ. Parker a member Of the board of
managers Of the Founding hospital, said TO a
STAR reporter to-day: There has been no dis
elimination made against colored foundlings.
Up to very recent date the hospital has been
full and there has been no accommodation
Since there has been room no applications
have come in for the admission OF colored
foundlings that l have heard Of Last wear
Congress appropriated Is, 900 to build colored
ward; The board was unable to get any plans
for building within that amount, and so the
money will lapse into the U. s. Treasury. IL
provision was made for the accommodation of
children there would be no reason for refusing
to admit any because Of lack of room"
WHAT THE VISITING COMMISSION SAID.
In relation to the Washington hospital for
foundllngs the report to the commissioners
made recently by the visiting Commission
Rev. W. A. Bartlett, Mrs. Mary J. Stroud. Mrs.
Florence Cairnes and DIR. Charles A Bacon
says: THE edifice occupied by this charity ia
new, ample, well equipped for the best service.
The morning on which your committee made
their examination there were nine 90 infants
under care, one having died the same morning.
The appropriation for expenses last year was
$1,000, and 5000 was given for the purpose Of
building a colored ward on the adjacent va
can't ground. There is at present the
best accommodation for fifty foundlings.
The committee are Of the opinion that
the second story should be occupied for a COL
ored ward, leaving the first story for the white
children, and that the six foundlings should be
taken at once from the National Association
for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and
Children, for whose care Congress has appro-
priated 81 900, and for whom adequate accom-
modations cannot be afforded where they are;
and that the foundlings be gathered from the
almshouse as well, and fill the vacancies in this
ably Offered and equipped institution. All
the apparent difficulties in regard TO nurses
and management on account of color are fully
and satisfactorily answered in the success OF
the 'Children's hospital The present accom-
modations should be fully occupied before any
money is expended for a new edifce."