The morning call., 1891-01-16
HEALY ARRAIGNED.
Charges of Misconduct in the
County Hospital.
i Public Investigation Demanded and Ac-
corded The Mayor VIII Appoint the
Time for the Same.

as plBSlulu5 ulBNGA u tlIab otN1' LII ei4S
other members We're present except DR..
Fiske, who is confined to his room by
illness.
About the first matter of any special inter-
est to claim the attention OF the board was
Superintendent Healy's notification that the
clerk Of the hospital T. f. Dolan, had been
discharged ana r. D. Goggins appointed to
the vacancy. The board was asked TO ap-
prove the appointment.
Dr. McQuesten, with some emphasis and
considerable pomp, demanded by what
authority the Superintendent had discharged
the clerk? He is present, let him ex-
plain" added the doctor.
Superintendent Healy explained that his
action was based upon a resolution of the
board, authorizing the Superintendent to re-
move and appoint, subject to the approval
of the board.
LIMITED To SUSPENSION.
DR.. McQuesten demanded to see the reso-
luton. He had never heard of it. When it
was produced the Superintendents power
was found to be limited to suspension. He
had no authority to remove.
The doctor laid great stress on this dis
tinctiou. and then demanded Of the Superin-
tendeut his reasons for rem wing Mr.. DOlan.
DR. Healy replied that Inspector Burns
came to him with man that he desired in
stalled as Clerk of the Hospital, and as the
change was agreeable he ordered it made.
Dr. McQuesten did not appear to regard
the Superintendent reasons as of the
slightest Importance or worthy Of any con
siiera,i.n n, and after hearing Dolan'S eX-
PLANTATION Of the case he at once proposed
motion that D0l8n be reinstated and regu-
larry Amounted as Clerk of the City and
County Hospital
Dr. lie TuurneauX had not vet arrived
when this matter was under discussion, and
as Dr. Davidson appeared to be in full SYM
patty with it, there was no opposition.
After a brief lapse, occasioned by the IN
PRODUCTION OF some uullnpOrtant matter, Dr.
MyQueSten arose in his place and addressed
himself to Superintendent Hraly.
u would like to ask the superintendent
sir, - he said, with a great flourish AMI much
dignity, have YOU discharged any persons
OF attaches of the City and County Hospital
within the last TWO weeks"
Il have" replied the doctor, with sort of
weary expression.
BY WHAT AUTHORITY?
"Who, sir, and by what authority?"
IL removed one Of the female nurses" he
again answered, his bearing unchanged, TO
make room for woman sent To me by DR..
Davidson"
This reply provoked a smile from the
many present, but did not make McQuesten
or Davidson feel very comfortable.
Oh. YES, added the medical inquistor a
little coniusediy, that's all right. Have
yuu discharged anyone else?'
Yes, discharged a male nurse for in
competency"
BY what authority?"
The right OF the Superintendent to re-
move iEcompetent attendants has never been
questioned" said Dr. Healy. My predeces-
sors lid it and that has always been the Gus
TOM
The doctor turned to take his seat. but in
stead drew from his pocket document of
somewhat OmiuOus appearance and turned to
address the Chairman.
Mr.. President" he said, its unpleasant,
and dislike very much that | am com
PEELED TO do it." He then rad one of the
most ScuTchlnE arTaignmentS ever made by
one public official against another Follow
ing Is lis complete text. 1t was not in the
doctors own handwriting, hence he hest
tated considerably before reaching the end
OF It.
TEXT OF TIE sCoRCHER.
1t Is with reluctance that l am compelled by
my duty to this Board OF Health 10 make state
ment Of certain matters that have cotue TO my
notice relative 10 the Superintendent Of the City
and County Hospital
4 member OF this Board Of Health, who took
him from nothing and made him tie SuLeiinteu-
dent Of The Ian gest hospital in The city, of which
any physician would be proud. where he receives
an equivalent OF $500 OF the peoples money
.
WHO imUlOred the whole board not to remove
him. who even inplored lie Governor not to ad-
wise MS removal, wh"n The Governor said su1i-
Gent disgrace had been brought on the board by
thls mans bad acts; audwhat is this members re-
ward? Insults, ISLANDERS, falsehOods and a cow
atdly stab III the back. Was there anything
more Infamous that a false friend could do?
VIII not call i uDElateful, for that word would
not sufficiently carry the meaning for such base
unheard-of hypocrisy.
Tins man claims and boasts of his high favor
win The Executive Of this State and with his ad-
Board OF Health at his pleasure. This is a direct
insult, Hung Into the faces OF the members Of
This board, a subordinate of this board attempt
lug 10 dictate 10 us our duties. Governor Mark
ham and his advisers men OF sense, Integrity
aud Eouor. and They VIII not be imposed upon by
this arbitrator When they know the Truth, for
then they VIII spurn him with contempt from
their presence. For, l believe his Excellency
the Governor and his advisers do not
know this astute Superintendent, this un-
grateful man, who stabs his benefactOr 10 the
back and bears the curses and maedictlons OF
The poor unfortunate patients of The hospital.
SHALL WE SIT QUIETLY?
Are we men, physicians and members OF a
Board Of Health TO Sit quietly here with our
hands tied In abiect submission TO this would. be
One-mau power? Does he absolutely rule US? Oh
snail We assert our dignity as men and physl-
clans aud our rights as members OF this Board oil
Health?i
know not what other members may fear OF
do. l speak for myself. l say fear no one bul
Almighty God, ana one else.
l charge the Superintendent OF the City and
IN his duties; that he only gives The city few
hours out Of the twenty-four in the hospital
that lie has his private office downtown, where
lie attends TO his practice aud gives the greater
pat OF his time TO his private affairs, thereby de-
irauding the city by this course; that he dis
charges patients from the hospital before they
Lave recovered; That the Health Officer COM
plains that daily there patients from the City
and County Hospital who come 10 him and ask
to be sent back Till they should recover, being
Without home, money aud friends, aud when the
city provides refuge for these untortunates in
their time OF sickness. charge him with writ
lDg prescriptions In cipher, given to charity pa
iients In the hospital and directed to be taken o
LenGield's pharmacy 10 be paid for by the charity
patient / charge him With discharging employees
without authority from this board.
FURTHER CHARGES MADE.
1t is reported ana generally understood that
the bodies OF those who have died in the City and
County Hospital are, by direction OF tie Super
intendent given over TO the undertak ing estab-
nshment at the corner Of Stockton aud Geary
streets. but do not say that he received CON-
miSsloR-that Is a matter 10 be Investigated by
tile Grand jury
1t is claimed that the food is bad In the hos
pitsl aud uncer weight, and. when received at the
hospital, that he has appropriated TO his own
use money and other yauables belonging 10 pa
uents, and also from those who have died; that
lie has kept on the payroll OF the hospital aud
drawn pay Tor men who never served in that in-
stltutiOn.
These are but few OF the charges and reports
that nave come TO my ears. l am informed and
believe that motion made by me tonight TO de-
clare the office OF the Superintendent OF the CITY
anu Nouuty t1Ospltdl vacant would not prevail.
therefore move that the Superintendent; OF The
City and County Hospital of this city be aus
pended from duty pending an investigation into
his conduct and that he receive no pay pending
such investigation, and that he be absolutely
prohibited from visiting the City and County
Hospital Of Ibis city pending this investig ton
This man claims 1 advocated his removal
This / absolutely deny false up 10 about three
weeks ago. / never asked him for or received
any favor or anything from him for myself to the
value Of one cent or anything. / would also add
that he never condescended TO thank me for
placing him IN the position as Superintendent of
the City aud County Hospital.
LIE TouRNEUx INTERRUPTS.
Just before the reading of this document
announced DIR. lie Tourneux walked
Into the meeting and took his accustomed
seat. AS the reading progressed the new
: arrival grew nervous-he was plainly an
noyed Before long mis- Indignation had the
mastery, and he interrupted with the forci-
bic explosives, Contemplated damnabIe I"
Before Dr. McQuesten had fairly finished
reading DR.. Davidson chimed in, Second
open for discussion. A'"