Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-04
IL WAS HELD BACK
One Of Or. Wright's Liquor
Bills for $40
SAYS ALDERMAN O'DOasEll
Mr.. O'Donneil Says Il Was Done 10 Help
Dr. wHght Get R--Appolns-
msnt-Ths investigation.

Tia council committee conducting
the snvestl CATION 0f Df. Wright, ex-city
iphy slcian. met n the city hsil yest<r~
day afternoon at o'clock. Sybfandt
NesseiiIus acted as interFogator for the
doctor. and. o8 the lsttsF's behalf.
called Hosskd X. Ware, salesman for
koTtiaGder & Murphy. Who testilst 4
that On the msTn.ng OF Decefaber Is,
ne called AZ Dr. Nught's house fer tie
purpose OF askiug alni 10 call At his
house The doctor was not at home,
sus presumably maklng yislis 10 as
patients. Mrs. Wright appeared and
ssld she sas sick. This was 10 coEtfo-
vert the testimony OF Minehla, who
sald that when the committee sent him
70 the doctors house Mrs. Nrfgnt Was
apparently veil.
Or. III. W. Cau!n. as one OF DR..
WTlgnts witnesses, said that lA cases OF
pulmonary affections, or consumption,
- was quite customary 10 prescribe
whisky As a st.mu'ant, though Il would
not &c the only treatment ne would
give him. Wesse.iE Is wanted 10 know
now much whisky would be required
Tor man wao WIS afflicted with con-
sumption IN It's last stages; one who
had been addicted 10 the habit Of drink
ing whisky.
DIR. c4tiin W oaian't Say.
DIR. Catlin would not contine himself
10 any definite statement. He said he
did not want 10 block the wheels OF the
attempt to clear the doctor, but lie
could not say any ling positive IN reia-
ton 10 what was asked. Being under
oaia he did not want TO go or record
a. swearing that he would dope pa
uent with whisky. lie might decide to
administer some other stimulsnt. On
beng asked as 10 whether il would be
dangerous 10 stop the supply of an
habftual morphine eater, the doctor
replied that it would possibly make
him crazy. On cross-examinatlon the
witness said that II there was case of
incurable consumption he might advise
thai whisky be taken IN large quantl-
ties. he said II be were city physician
and there were morphine fiends who
had been receiving the drug from the
city great length OF time, he would
continue to prescribe 10, though If re-
ouested 10 Go So he would try TO cure
them.
Comptroller Vandenberg was sworn
Tor the purpose OF showing that the
evidence previously introduced to the
effect that for January, 1890. the cost
OF medicines 10 the city WAS S253.25
while for January, 1891, the total cost
wrs only SOS, was inaccurate. OF the
first amount. sGi.32 was for medicine
furnished IN other months, leaving
sl95.93 xs the actual cost, or Sl00.93
more than under Dr. Kellev's admins
tratlon.
o'Donnen Does Some oairzins.
The interesting part of the session
came when Alderman 0'Donneil cross
examined the witness. Mr. O. Donnell
asked the amount OF the city bill for
April. aud the comptroller replied that
1t WAS about $40.
Alderman o. Donnell: "Were there
any ether bills presented that month
that were not reported to the councilG'
The comptroller did not remember
that there were any.
Alderman ODonnell: Don't you re-
member that the bills were divided
that month";
The comptroller did not at first re-
member. but afterwards recalled 1t.
Alderman Opounel: Don't you
remember that bills 10 the amount of
about $40 were presented for liquors
which we decided to hold back so "a 10
give Doctor Wright chance for re-
appointment
The Comptroller: 81 never held back
any bill to help any man get an ap-
.pOlntmen: don't do that kind of busi-
ness. | might have held back bills,
perhaps many OF thenl, at the request
of some committee or alderman, but
! never held back auy bill TO help along
gu appointment. No, sir
says the Comptroller Knew IT.
Alderman O'DennelI-"Bu. il was
held back fer that purpose and Won
knew II" In explanation Alderman
- Donnell SAID he tired to bring out
this testimony 10 show that he had al
ways been friendly 10 DIR. Wright. aud
had always been willing to help him in
every way he could: that he had al
ways stood by the doctor as loug az he
thoughthe was doing right. lie wanted
10 rsfutc the charge that in making
the report that the poor committee
made IN December, ne 90 DOnnelil was
Dot sctusted by any malice toward DR..
Wright.
Mrs. Peck, former matron OF the L.
". A. home. was sworn To prove that
while connected with the home she bad
always found DIR. Wright courteous
aud gentiemanly. and always attentive
10 patients under his care. Further.
tnst IN her opinion a certain city
ystlsut named Harding. had been
greatly benefited by liquor prescribed
by Or. Wrlght.
Mrs. Peck, on cross examination
stated hat she wssmstrou Of the home
about two years and left there n Feb
rusry, 80; that she was matrcn Of the
Womans' home and hospital from
August, 30 to February, 'sl. when she