Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-01
ANOTHER CIRCULAR NAILED,

Why Governor Pattison Vetoed the Mercy
Hospital Appropriation He Merely
Obeyed the Law-An Explanation From
Ex-Postmaster Larlxin.
The Republican State Committee has
issued circular charging Ex-Governor Pat
tison with having vetoed the Mercy Hos
pital appropriation on religious grounds.
The circulars are being sent to Catholics
everywhere. with the hope of arraying that
denomination against him. The following
letter explains Governor Pattison's position:
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
The charge that Governor Pattison vetoed
the Mercy Hospital appropriation on account
of its sectarian character is a vile slander on a
liberal, high-minded gentleman. and is without
tion was in greatest need Governor Pattison
was its friend. During the Legislative session
of 1882 the directors of Mercy Hospital, one
half Of whom are Protestant gentlemen, made
application to the State for $50 600 for building
purposes. The hospital was crowded and as
1t was one of the oldest and best institutions in
this city. and had always opened its doors to
every race and sect, rich and poor alike, the
request was respected and Governor Pattison
signed the bill. At that time we were ignor-
ant OF the law, and did not ask for the
approval of the State Board of Charities, until
the time for such approval. had expired. In
consideration, however, of the mertorious
character of the institution an examination of
the proposed improvements, and their neces-
sity was made, and a supplemental report made
to the Legislature favoring the grant. We
were then advised by the State Board of Chari-
ties that any further appeals must be made
through that body at least go days before the
Legislature convened, as required by law
In 1884 II must depend on memory for dates)
Notwithstanding we had raised $50 900 by pri-
vate subscription in addition to the S3OO 600
given us by the State in 1882 we were again
compelled to ask for State aid and again neg
lected to comply with the law as to the time fixed
by the act. The Board of Charities again very
kindly approved of the charity and sent a SUD-
Elemental report to the Legislature. The bill
was passed and vetoed for the reason that the
revenues Of the State were not large enough to
meet the amounts appropriated to State insti-
tutlons, whose applications were made accord
ing 20 law, and within the time required by the
act. Governor Pattison treated the late Colonel
James P. Barr, t. d. Casey, Mr.. O:Leary
myself and other members of the Board of Di-
rectors with the utmost courtesy and consider
alton, and his reasons were consistent and en-
tirely satisfactory. The fault was our own
and there is not now and never has been any
action. His whole course was that of a
man who wanted to do right and
to discharge his duty as the law re-
quired it should be. The attempt to
misrepresent him ard to accuse him of un-
worthy motives will meet with the Just indg-
nations of fair-minded men everywhere and no
respectable man in this community would at
tach his signature to such statement 1 was
member of the Board of Directors at that
time and a member now and this statement of
facts is in the interest of an honest, courageous
public officer whose every public act is as un-
assailable as his personal integrity.
PITTsBURG, October 80. j. b. LARKIN.