Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-16

PROTESTS IN FAVOR OF DR. REyBuRS.
The Commissioners met last night and made
an order of removing Health Officer Townshend
and appointing Or. Hammett in his place. The
order made is as follows:
Ordered, That Smith Townshend, MD.
health officer of the District Of Columbia. not
having complied with the request Of the Com
missioners to tender his resignation OF said
Office during the month Of June, 1881, to take
effect July 81, 1881. he is hereby removed from
said Office. TO take effect July 81, 1881.
THAT Charles v. Hsmmctt is hereby appointed
health officer OF the District of Columbia. Said
appointment to take eject August /, 1891
now IT WAS DROUGHT ARour.
Late yesterday afternoon Col. Robert invited
commissioners Ross and Douglass to call at his
house during the evening and talk over the
health officers case. Neither of the civilian
commissioners II is understood had any idea
that the colonel proposed to call tho matter up
Tor hnal action, and whom he did SO il was a
great surprise.
Commissioner Douglass il is learned. urged
the commissioners not to act hastily. hut To wait
until this afternoon before finally deciding the
case The colonel, however, insisted on imme-
date action. urging that unless the matter was
disposed OF then and there it might hang on in
might produce such an effect
MEETING IN COL ROBERTS DINING ROOM.
Accordingly it was decided that the Commits
sioners resolve themselves into board. This
was done. Col Roberts private dining room
being used as the board room.
According to the regular order of business
the subject OF the dismissal Of the health officer
was first brought mp. Col. Robert made tho
motion that inasmuch as DIR. Townshend had
not handed in his resignation he be dis
missed. When the vote was taken Commits
sioner Douglass voted yes with Col. Robert.
but Commissioner Ross refused 20 vote. The
president then declared the position OF health
officer vacant.
No sooner had he announced his decision
than Col. Robert brought up the question of the
appointment of DIR. Townshends successor.
He presented the claims of DIR. Hammetr
and inquired If il was the intention ol
the Commissioners to stand by their
original action. Commissioner Douglas
disciaimed that there had been any
formal action in his case, but said that there
had been an official announcement that DR..
long and earnest discussion ensued. lasting
upward Of two hours.
MR.. DOUGLASS PROTEST.
Commissioner Douglass maintained that the
board had instructed him to notify DIR. Eey.
He said that he desired to put himself on record
regarding that, and presented the following
protest, which he requested be placed with the
papers:
DIR. Robert Reyburn having been invited
by Inc. at the instance of the board, to take
the position OF health officer. l must protest
against this action recalling that invitation.
III he desires 1t at any time it will give me
great pleasure to state my reasons.
The race was won Just as Tue STAR stated "
said Commissioner Dougl lass this morning 81
have nothing TO say and do not wish TO criti
No. L viii not say why L voted TO dismiss DIR
Townshend.
THE NEW HEALTH OFFICER.
DIR. Charles NJ. Hammett. the newly ap
pointed health officer, was born in 81. Mary,
county, Nd, near Chaptico. in 1885. He Wa,
educated at Charlotte Hall and graduated il
medicine from Georgetown College in 1856
after which he returned TO 81. Mary's and fol
lowed his profession. He came to South Wash
ington in 1870 and has devoted his entir,
time since then to his profession. In thi
he has been successful. having built no larg,
practice. His professional status was evidenced
by the character of the medical support which
| he had and outside of the profession he was in
dorsed by many members of Congress and Sen
ators- He has a wife and six children, amons
them son who is now studying medicine.
DIR. Hammetts application was filed with tn
Commissioners April IS. 1856.
Among his indorsers are about lis reputabl
| physicians of this city and many Congressman
and a number of prominent citizens ais
Endorsed DIR. Hammett.