The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-12
POLITICS AND MEDICINE
Anew Inside Facts About Appointments
of the City Board of Health.
DR.. Cock Drawing His Salary Since His Re-
moyal 10 DeDvfr-Wby Fergu son Was
Put at the Dispensary.

The recent appointment of DR.. c. 4.
Ferguson to the superintcndency OF the
City Dispensary has caused not o little dis
cussion among physicians and politicians.
To the former it has a queerish aspect from
the fact that last spring DR.. Ferguson
failed in the competitive examinations
taken part in by medical graduates Tor
places in the departments of the dispensary,
and that he is now appointed over Drs. Rudy
and Courtney. who succeeded in those ex-
aminations. The point which presents
itself to the politicians. and the doctors as
well. is that 1t is but another indication OF
the supremacy which the partlsans OF the
Indiana College of Physicians has gained
over some of the city officials. elective aud
~appointive. In medical circles the follow
ings of the colleges of that profession are
fully if not more partisan than are those
of political parties. 1t Is a well-known
fact that Drs. Morrison and Cook. of the
Health Board. are graduates and constitu-
ents of the Indiana College. and. both be-
ing Democrats. work together in maintain
ing control of affairs which their two votes
give them, practically ignoring the other
member, DR.. Maxwell. who Is @ Republican,
and the offspring of the Central College. lt
is asserted that the two first mentioned
members used the power they bad In the
appointment of DR.. Ferguson at the insti-
CATION of the Indiana College, and.
ii true, there can DO no
doubt that i i n was w done the wishoaf
college is to yet as many OF Its graduates
In prominent places as possible to enhance
Its own renOwn.
With the appointment of d.. Fergu son
and the statement of the college predilic.
irons of the two Democratic members Of
the Health Board comes the question OF
how they happened to secure their appoint
ments. This Is charged directly, by those
who profess to know. to DR.. Edenharder,
of the City Hospital. DIR. Eden
harter has gained far more renown as
o politician than he has as q physician.
and there is no doubt that he was of con-
siderable assistance to Mayor Sullivan IN
his first campaign for the mayoralty. AS q
reward fox this it is asserted that he was
allowed TO dictate the appointees to the
Health Board.
With this provocative he did not propose
that his own lines should fall In hard
places. and incidentally he put q few more
feathers into the Gap of the medical col
his men, and they fulfilled what
was expected of them. There oc-
ours about the 1st of January the
annual meeting of the Board of Health, at
which it appoints the superintendent of
the City Hospital and transacts other buei-
ness. In contemplation of this meeting
there comes to the surface some more OF Dr.
. Al - "eJs ~
is more than probable that tho salary of
the head of the city's hospital will be
doubled next year. There is q bill intro.
duced In the Council to that effect, and
there is little doubt of its passage. Saying
nothing of tho merits of the increase. IL
makes the plum Just that much more de-
sirable.
Last spring Dr.. Cook, who is secretary of
the Health Board, left the city, ostensibly TO
be gone but q few months, the occasion be.
ing his marriage. Time has flown, but the
Doctor has not returned, neither has his
resignation put In appearance. and he still
draws his salary as the boards secretary.
The salary is NOT very large. and the duties
of the position arc not very arduous. and
the fact of his absence might not be of 80
that he does not expect to return at all. and
has known that he would not for several
months at least. He is in Denver, where he
is practlcing medicine. and q letter from
his wife to her parents ar Martlnsvllle re-
celyed some timo ago, asserted that they
had no intention of returning to Hoosler
soil.
DR.. Cooks resignation would have been
received, however, had IT not been for the
fact that it has been headed off," He had
it all prepared, but when DR.. Edenbarter
heard of il. he said, most emphatically, no."
He reminded The secretary of past favors,
and intimated that be desired him to re-
main on the board until after its appoint
or of DR.. Edenhardef, it is said, was backed
up by one from the Indiana College of
Physicians, and SO are certain means used
to an end. DIR. Edenharder will retain his
position, unless all signs fail. and this is
not o dry time" when they do.