Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-02
THE FREEDMAN's HOSPITAL.
Secretary Noble Says He Has Referred
Complaints to the Board Of Visitors.


Complaints to the Board Of Visitors.
"Certain complaints, I cannot call them
charges, against DR.. Purvis and the manage
ment Of the Freedman's hospital were referred
by me to the board OF visitors" The speaker
was Secretary Noble and he was talking to a
STAR reporter today about the reported inves-
tisation Of the Freedman's hospital. The Sec
rotary added that he did not consider the COM
plants made OF sufficient importance to be
specially investigated. He had however, re-
ferred them to the board Of visitors as pointers,
SO that when they visited the hospital they
might keep them In mind. There are boards
OF visitors, remarked the Secretary, appointed
to visit all the institutions under this depart
ment."
1t is stated at the department that for several
years past there have been no appointments on
the board OF visitors to the Freedman's hos
pitaL The consequence is that owing to deaths
and the removal OF the members the board has
not done active duty at the request Of DIR.
Purvls, 1t u stated Secretary Noble appointed
board OF visitors OF which Commissioner
Douglass is chairman. This board was ap-
pointed November Is, but has not as yet held q
meeting. A couple Of weeks ago certain COM
plants made against Or. Purvis were referred
to the board through its chairman, Commits
sent to the board aud are now in its custody.
1t ia said at the department that these COM
plants were in many instances OF ancient origin
and have been in the past received at the
beginning Of each administration.
The board Of visitors consists OF John ",
Douglass, Brainard II. Warner, Geo. W. Evans
Rev. Francis Grimke and Rev. Geo. W. Moore
The members are appointed without compen-
sation and are expected to visit the institution
at least once quarter or oftener, az they may
decide.
DIR. PuRvrs SAYS IT Is THE SAME OLD rIenr.
No lone could very we'll know less OF the
charges ON file in the Interior department
against DR.. @. b. Purvis, the director OF Freed
mans hospital, than the doctor does. That is
what he told STAB reporter this morning
with every appearance of candor.
''All know about these charges" said the
doctor, ''has been published in the local
papers. l think do know, though, the source
from whence they emanated. The same apol-
ogy for a man bounded my predecessor Dr.
Palmer, and if there ever was q thoroughly up-
right humane man 1t was DR.. Palmer. / presume
the same crowd is at il again. Every four years
the fight is renewed and there il no more cause
for it now than there used to be, and l never
gave anybody cause to SO attack me- When Mr.
Lamar was Secretary of the Interior it was al
| legged that had been an active republican
partisan in the Garfield campaign that was un-
true. because my professional engagements had
prevented me from going on the stump.
Now this little apology has it, / under
stand that l contributed to both republican and
| democratic campaign funds so that 1 might
preserve my balance anyhow. There never
was q greater lie. These people have gotten
hold of discharged employee and are trying to
| formulate charges out Of his alleged grievances
| There is not scintilia Of truth in his state
ments, and they have not caused me to lose
| moment sleep. am not uneasy.
II am sorry those who have been urging this
| identify themselves 30 that they may be held
responsible for what they say and do. hate
| to see poor unfortunate fellow made tool of
persons whose physical monstrosities are truly
indicative OF their real characters.
| OPEN TO INSPECTION.
Everything here" concluded DR.. Purvis,
/ sis open to inspection at any time. want all
| the investigation that can be given me- II you
want to go through the entire institution you
are at liberty to do 80, and you may ask all the
questions you please Of patients or attend
ants You should bear in mind
| the fact that it 10 difficult
thing to manage this place. for in its wards are
common thieves, burglars, prostitutes and muir
derers. There are also great many nice peo-
| pie whose only crime is poverty. These constant
assaults injure the institution, but those who
| attack it care nothing for that Not one Of
them have ever been here nor are any OF them
engaged in alternating the miseries Of suffering
humanity. wall the pleasure OF the commit
| tee."
COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS HAS THE CHARGES.
When Commissioner Douglass was seen by .
STAR reporter today he ssid that it was true
that complaint had been made against DR.. Pur-
Wis and that he had them, but a. he had not
yet broken the seal he could not tell their
nature. He said they would not be made pub
| lie until after the committee had seen them.
4 rok. hnFo tbap Dol A.
| day charged with threatening John Driscoil
The main trouble seemed to be little habit Of
drinking on the part Of Kate and she was put
/ under bonds.
An exemplihed copy Of the viii Of the late
Harvey Kennedy, who died in New York De-
cember last. was filed In the recorder OF deeds
Office today, the object being to pass title.
| The directors of the National Capital bank met
today and presented Mr.. John e. Herrell, the
presidant q the bank, with Q handsome silver