, 1891-04-25

at any conclusion now, in time to get a proper
arrangement and secure the services of proper
parties, particularly when it be remembered
that another year of the new term has opened,
and We are naturally for the present debarred
of the opportunity of coming to an understand
ing with the physicians now here as to- what
might be used Of their emolunents to induce
other physicians to come here. It seems, then,
that the only natural thing we have to do is to
adopt that the contracts with the present
physicians be renewed on the existing terms
as on the Ordinances, but only for one year,
and at the same time to ask Government to get
2new young physicians to come out here ON
terms we could offer. In reality we have but 4
doctors here; the 9th is in point of fact not able
to do.much owing to his very advanced age
and consequent debility. The other side of
the matter is the amount under the Poor De-
partment for attendance to the. Sick Poor in the
Country, and which is on the Money Bill, This
amount might eventually afterwards,-if need
cd at all as long as the Doctors are permanent
ly employed by Estates and as long as Doctors
virtually attend the Poor sick under their Estate
engagements,- be used to make up salaries for
new young physicians. 1t ia his opinion that
there would be lucrative occupation enough in
the Island to make up, along with the $500 from
the Public, a decent living for younger men,
particularly also by estates work. This is,
OI DE- ~ ONOnO8 bOIuS1AAHk very bL1l1&I,
the case in regard to other professional
men coming here. Some of the money
now used from public sources for the
present physicians could be advantageously
used for getting other medical men on similar
terms as those We now have when they came
first, He, as Member elected for the town,
would not refrain from bringing up this side of
the matter now and he would then ask the
Council to beg Government to come to the
assistance, in the manner suggested, in order
that a change be made and we may get more
doctors in the Island.
3rd Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (HSwitt) would beg to state that it is
erroneous when the LIST Member for Christian
sted's Country District (Neumann) would give
it the appearance as if moro were collected from
the labourers' contributions than is paid in annu-
al fee to the Doctors; and he must contradict that
statement from the honorable Doctor. When
making contracts with estates, the physicians
were given the choice of receiving those collec-
tions or taking the fixed salary from the estate;
they preferred yearly salaries. If the honora.
BILE Member thinks it is to the benefit of the
physician to receive the contributions from the
labourers, he could attend to the collections
himself. But as regards the present matter
he would now beg to ask that the discussions
be closed, and the matter put to vote.
II ACGIHY TtC6 UOO0THOF WOuIu, do CA0 Qib~
cussions seem now to be approaching a close,
beg to remind the honorable Gentlemen of the
original enactments of the two Ordinances of
1866 and 1869 mentioning the appointment Of
physicians by contracts of 4 years at a time.
3rd Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (Heoit) said he did not think there
was any misunderstanding in the matter in the
minds Of the Members. AS regards the saving
of the $500, he could not tell how Members
could vote for it, in the face of the bankrupt
state in which we are, and with the prospects
OF the Island becoming another st. John. 1t is
Ahard thing to stand, to seemoney voted away
as II the Treasury had plenty of money and
was not in need. Moreover the expense is un-
necessary it is not requisite to pay men twice
for the same work. And again, the money
would be quite sufficient without this sum, if
it were divided properly apd the business was
not looked upon as a monopoly.
LIST Member for Christiansted (LemminO) was
inclined to believe that the proposal he had
suggested would be acceptable to Government.
The right Of Government to enter contracts
under the Ordinances for 4 years at a time is
acknowledge d % q rule; but here now we have
no time to- consider; the new term has commenc-
ed we HusS have the services of the medical
men, but then let us be bound only
for l year to the original terms of payment
etc. and during that time we prepare for new
engagements. If necessary for 4 wears more.