Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-06
MR.. BAYLEr's LETTER.
II May Result In His Dismiaaai and Aiso
That Of DIR. Hammett.

s. p. Bsyiey, r., the deputy health ofHcer,
has written q letter to the District Commis-
Ioners declining the proposed transfer TO the
District ONCE and rendering his resignation.
He accuses the Commissioners Of having done
him an injustice and OF having ''cast upon me
q reflection, should ! agree 10 your terms.
which spurn TO accept" He claims that they
should have either stood BY him or dismissed
him. and adds:
''You have done neither, but have truculen,iy
evaded the manly course and thrust me in the
breach to bear the brunt Of your
official cowardice. ! had rather all she
breach and fall in the discharge Of Official duty
than skulk behind u cowardly subterfuge, as
Commissioner Ross did when he entered the
Office Of the editor OF the Post in the
attitude Of suppliant, and confessed to
the editor that he knew Mr.. Bayly would not
accept The transfer when he offered il to him, .
and - Commissioners Ross aud Rossell did
when they entered the came Office TO make
terms with the irate editor, and as Commits
sioner Douglass did when, in answer 10 the
health ofhcer's protest against my removal
without cause, he said: CDR. Hammett, do you
wish to have the Post upon your back all the
rest Of your official life?''
when the commissioners Of the District 90
far forget the dignity of their positions and the
great responsibility attached thereto as TO seel
the editors OF the newspapers and In their edi'
torial sanctums, under cover of night, secure "a
action, il time that the President should offei
transfer" or demand designations. Should
this be DELAYED the public should cismor for al
Investigation and drag to the light Of day what
ever agreements or compromises that may have
been proposed"
Continuing, he states: 'sIhe health officer
whose deputy am, asked for an investigation
and still protests against my removal without
one; my friends demanded il and the public
expected 1t, and yet you, in contemp'
OF justice and in violation Of a well-es
tsblished precedent, have net only denied it,
but have virtually passed sentence and closed
doors for the avowed and oft-repeated purpose
to appease and conciliate the press OF this city.
Mr.. Bayly questions the motives of the Com
missioners in making the change and
suggests that they wish TO appoint som,
one in his place that will b,
more subservient TO their bidding He com
plains that an investigation wss re
fused him, and adds that the peopl,
OF the District will conclud,
from such refusal that they have more to fea,
from the results Of the investigation than he
has.
In conclusion he maintains that he ha,
offended the Commissioners by faith
fully and fearlessir performing his dut,
TO the public and that this will be found TO be
the case If an Investigation is held.
THE COMMISSIONERS INVESTIGATING.
The Commissioners today refused to discus
for publication the letter.
At the executive session OF the boar,
the matter was brought up, but laid OF
| the table pending an investigation OF the facts
1t appears they have written to Dir. Hammet
for an explanation OF several things which
from all Appearances, impbcate him. Refer
ence is made TO statement made &
Or. Hammett hy one of the Commissioner
at a secret meeting of the board at which DIR
| Hammett was present. and the Commissioner
desire to know WIN il was he made 1t public. a
| all things said in board meeting are suppose,
| to be strictly confidential.
Another thing they want TO know is WHY tn,
letter was given to the press for publication be
fore they received it. The letter has all the ap
rearance of an official document. and as sucl
| should. they think. have come through TIA
health officer.
1t was evident that the Commissioners wer
| displeased at the letter. ami it is understoo,
that as the report on the case is mad
/ BY the health officer Mr.. Baylv's resignation
will be recalled and he will he summarlly dis
missed. The order granting him thirty DAYS
| leave Of absence will also be revoked.
| If from the evidence it is found that tn
| health officer is in any manner implicated it i
| certain that his official head will pay In
| penalty.