New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-10
A PARTISAN HEALTH BOARD.


E.,
1T A MENACE TO THE CITYs WELFARE.
The resignation of DR.. Edward G.. Janeway from the
chair Of the practice of medicine at the Bellevue
Medical College. from the Medical Board of Bellevue
Hospital and consulting physician to the Board Of
Health. was much discussed yesterday. Tribune
reporter had talk with Dr. Janeway In the afternoon.
The conversation brought ont the fact that since
Tammany has secured control OF the Board of Health
1t is being run by Tammany politicians Men long in
Office and recognized by every competent, have
recently been removed by the Board at the command
Of Tammany and those have been put in their places
Who from the very nature of things could not be ex
pected to fill the places we'll as those who were
compelled to resign.
Tammany is getting hold of everything 1t can and
now with three of the four members of the Board Of
Health Tammany men, ii is slowly but surely removing
those in any way connected with the Board who are
not members OF their organization. 1t would be great
gain for that organization to secure complete control
of the Board OF Health in all ito branches. as that
Board has great power which might be easily used
TO great advantage by such a corrupt organization as
Tsmmany.
The friends OF that machine would like the public
to believe that DR.. Janeway resigned simply because
Of his large private practice lis increasing per-
sona obligations That is not the case, however and
I've told the reporter that the real and true reason
which he had for making those designations was that
he was opposed to the Board Of Health being run
as political organization Hero Is "''I lie sii"
in regard to this:
IL desire frankly and openly to raise my voice
against the methods employed by the Board Oh
Health Moreover, am opposed to the recent changes
made by the Board NV convictions tell me that the
Board Of Health is being run as political orsannt-
ton and by political organization That fact IS
most unfortunate and dangerous for the welfare OF TINS
city, Three of the four members Of the Board are
Tammany men. DR.. Bryant is not, so far as Know
81 member OF Tammany Hall. but he was apponten DY
Mayor Grant. BY vote of TO 1 the reslgnatlonS I"
Two men were demanded by the Board, an acuoh
am entirely ont of sympathy WITH because lhe No"
were all that cOuld be desired and because they "cie
compelled to resign without any reason. As no reo"
was given, the only reason must be political ohc'
The men | refer TO Mr.. Prentice ana Dr. h"lns'
A short time ago they discharged William =. PRENTICE
the attorney of the Board. and Dr. William a. f"ns'
tie sanitary superintendent without any reason auu III
the most summary way possible They got put ono
DAVIS notice that their services we're no longer IT,
CURED o,
~ would not treat servant in my house In such
manner Really cannot, for political reasons
understand how the Board could discharge tiosc "o
men, Mr. Prentice has been the attorney Oh the oa'u
for nearly twenty years. lie is thoroughly lhioric"
on oucstions of law relating TO The dulles OF 'e oe
partment and has often shown himself to be thoroughly
competent to fill his place, and often he WIS prous"'
IN the District Attorneys Office TO put them straight
on some point of law. In my opinion there was ho'
the slightest excuse for diSchargng him. l know
nothing about Mr.. Steinert, the man who mas been
chosen 10 succeed him. so l express no opinion
os to his fitness But | cOnscienu0usy say thiu
7 am positive that he cannot fill the place so well as
Mr.. Prentice
CDR Ewing was an able and competent man ior
the place of sanitary inspector. Dr. cyrus f's"'''
who has been appointed TO succeed him. Is OF COURSE
a good man, but he was already Chiel Oh |o"'"eio"e
Diseases If | had been In his place should not
have accepted DR.. Ewng's place. Knowing "a' Nv
had been discharged without cause.
"Tbe changes made simply for pohnci pur-
noses and were made only nominaly by the Board OF
Health at the command OF other persons III power
outside II the Board Is to be used for poitcai ana
pa,tisan purposes the city will suffer materially II
that is the case there Is no telling what may be Done
by tlx Board of Health and it was for that reason
sent In nv resignation. While l was associated
with the Beard 1 did not think 1t proper
IN crtticise It's action, but now an
s,mnlv talking as a citizen should II he thinks any,
thing Is going wrong In any department Ihe loau
has become merely part Oh ,he pod,,a, r% me
methods pursued unwise, injuiiciouS ana uis 9
Nv resignation of the place i held IN beieNne liv
TiaI was due 10 the same reason. Although beue'ue
Hospital is not controlled by the b0aiu vi r,,b
g. n city Institution. and am not In symp:H WIN
the methods Of those in power The same people "no
control the Board of Health, however c0ntrol oIecuE
bellevue Hospital The action OF the BOARD OF edl'"
under orders is the cause OF my resignation, ,r,n
The Board OF Health consists Of Charles g. Wiison
presdent appointed by Mayor Grant Dr. joseph ~
fryant also appointed by the Mayor James j. Martin
~ .of,Irio member president of the Police loard
and Dr. William T. jenkins, ex-omcio mehiper "'
Health Officer OF the Port