Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-25
THE COMMISSIONERS oN.rHE STAND.
what They Said About Garbage and the
Health Once Change.

Officer Townshend. the condition Of the health
Office and the system OF garbage removal was
resumed yesterday by the Senate District COM
mIttee after an adjournment of two weeks. The
attorney for the District. Mr.. Hazleton, testi-
fed that be hal investigated the charges against
the health Officer and found nothing to indicate
that DIR. TOwnsbend was unfit 10 hold the posi-
tion. The next witness Col. Robert, ex-
Engineer Commissioner. who stated that
lac had an impression that DIR. Townsbend
the habit OF drinking liquor
and he thought it best to make change. In
reply to questions he said that the besth officer
WAS not given all opportunity to answer this
charge and he was not aware that DR.. Towns
bend Was prevented by his habits from attend
ing to his duties. AS to the election Of DIR.
Hammett. Col. Robert said he did not to this
day understand why II Mr.. Douglass. the
republican member OF the board, nominated Ia
dcmpcritt for the Office.
Commissioner R.,.s then testified IL he had
known OF the conteinp lated removal Of DIR.
T1wnshehd he thought that tho result would
have been brought about without friction. lie
did not approve of the way the affair was con
ductsd by his colleagues.
The testimony OF Commissioner Douglass was
based mainly the official record, showing the
action of the board in regard to the change in
complaints in regard to street sweeping and the
removal Of garbage and said that he considered
DR.. T"wushcud had neglected his duty.
When Senator Higgins asked If the deficiency
OF 80 900 the first five months OF DR.. Ham,
mett's fncumbency could be- justifeh. Mr.
Dongiass said that the volume u complaints in
regard 10 the garbage justified active efforts.
One citizen reported that his garbage had not
been removed fof thice years, and LIE did not
know there was such n service.
Commissioner douglass thought the recent
large eSplndilures were justified IL the facts
about garbage IN the city reported were cor
rect.
Col Robert again took the stand and testified
in regard tn this proposition to make supple
Inenttl contract Tor the removal Of garbage.
lie thought j. wOuld be illegal The contractor,
Mr.. Drauey, mtnrmed the Commissioners that
he could not carry ont his original contract
without extra pay. He wanted Drsney sued for
failure to fulfill his contract but the other Com
missioners. who were lawyers, were of the opin-
ION that such prosecution could not be main
tanned until the end Of the year, when the dam
ages were known. In answer to a question
from Senator Higgins the witness said be be-
lieved in sticking to the law. Mr. Higgins sug-
gested that such course had cost the District
iii the five months after the contractor had given
up his contract more than the appropriation for
tho entire YEAR The witness thought that the
law ought TO be enforced even at n pecuniary
loss. lie explained that it was the intention to
appoint Dr. Iicybun in the event that the
charges brought against DIR. Hammett were sus-
tanned. As these charges had not been sus-
tnlned the honorable Course was thought to be
TO stand by the man originally named.
THE OFFICIAL RECORD.
The official record relating to the removal of
Dr.. 1ownshend and the appointment of DIR.
IIammett, submitted by Commissioner Doug
lass, vas as follows:
WASHINGTON, juno 19, 1891.
Present: Commissioners Ross, Robert and the
president
The secretary Of the board was directed to
notify the health officer To resign his Office on
the 30:h Instant by the following vote: Messrs.
Douglass and Robert voting .yes" and Com
missioner Ross voting "no."
June "a, 1891.
Present: Commissioners Ross, Robert and the
president.
On motion of Commissioner Ross the action
of the board taken at the session on the 10Th in
slant, directing the secretary to notify the
health officer to resign, to take effect the 3Oth
instant, was rescinded by a Unanimous vote.
The secretary was directed by unanimous
vote Of the board to notify the health officer
Smith Townshend, NJ. d., to tender his rcsigna-
ton Of that Office, to take effect July 81, 1891,
with leave of absence from the goth instant to
that date.
jury Is. 1891.
Present-Commissioner Douglass, Ross and
Robert.
The hoard adjourned to meet at a later hour
to consider the matter of change In incum-
bency of health Office
At an adjourned session of the board Of Com
mssioners at which Commissioners Douglass,
Ross and Robert were present, it was ordered
by the vote of Commissioners Douglass and
Robert in the affirmative and Commissioner
Ross i'm the negative:
That Smith Townshend. NJ. D., health officer
of the District of Columbia, not having COM
piled with the request Of the Commissioners to
tender his resignation of said Office during the
month Of June, 1891, to take effect July 81,
1881. is hereby removed from said Office to take
effect July 81, 1891.
1t was also ordered by the vote of Commits
: ioners Ross and Robert in the affirmative and
Commissioner Douglass in the negative:
That Charles III. Hammett, N. d. is hereby ap-
pointed health officer Of the District OF
Columbia. said appointment to take effect
August /. 1891.
The secretary of the board was directed to
record and file the following:
lettering to sections ) and 6 of the orders
of ;his date a majority of the Commissioners
adhere 20 their previous action, which will com
pei varancy in the position of health officer
ON the 3lst day of July. 1891.
This action was based not on any charges
fled against the present incumbent and htd no
other ground than desire to improve the serv-
ice
The unanimous selection of DIR. Hammett as
health officer was held in allowance upon a
charge of discourteous language alleged to have
been used by him with regard to the President
Of the United States, which charge has not been
sustained.
A majority of the Commissioners therefore
believe that justice to DR.. Hammett requires
thai he be installed into the Office to which he
was chosen.
The Commissioners wish 10 be understood that
they al regard DIR. Robert Hepburn as physi-
elan Of the highest personal and professional
standing. and that the adherence of n majority
of the board to the previous action Of the
Commissioners Is based wholly upon sense of
duty toward DIR. Hamme.t.
July Is, 1891.
Ordered:
6. HAT Charles VI. Hammett. NJ D.. is hereby
appointed health officer of the District of Co
lumbLs. said appointment to take effect August
l, 1891. NV. Ross.
HENRY NJ. ROBERT.
Commissioners ID. C.
lapproye of the above orders, except as to
section 6. DIR. Robert Reyburn having been
invited by me, at the instance of the board. to
take the position OF health officer must pro-
test against this action recalling that invitation.
j. W. DOUGLASS,
Commissioner ID. c.
Special Train Service to Richmond Decora-