New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-26
TPIFLTNG WITH TIE PLBLIC HfALi IL a

TPIFLING WITH TIE PCBLTC HEALTH
The physicians who have resigned from the
service of the Health Board are rctccnt as TO
the reasons for their withdrawal. In refusing
TO talk freely about the matter they are doubt
less governed by considerations of professional
proprety as well as personal Discrimination 70
engage in a controversy. Drs Jancway. jacob
and Prudden are not seeking an advertisement
They have no need of one. They are men OF
reputation and character, to whom public cares
have not brought distinction or advantage
They were willing to serve the community
faithfully they were not willing to be maze
the instruments of political machine. Indeed,
they considered themselves bound by solemn
pledge of professional honor and good citizen
ship 10 resent the first decisive proof OF pur-
pose to use them in any other capacity than
that of physicians What their political opin-
ions are we do not know and do not care. Their
designations show that they recognize no proper
connection between politics and the preserva-
ton of the public health and that they cannot
he used TO establish an artificial and mlschevous
connection.
Tammanys remorseless pursuit of spells has
seldom been more strikingly and rcpulsively
illustrated than in the recent manipulation OF
the Health Board. of which these designations
are the latest incidents. In his brilliant speech
to the Chicago Convention Mr.. Bourkc Cock
ran boasted that the Democratic party in this
State, of which Tammany is the soul and body,
had created a political atmosphere which Re
publicans could not breathe and live. He point
ed out as its chief claim to honor and conf
dence the fact that Democrats were i'll abso-
lutte possession of every part OF the govern
ment, down TO the minutcst. lie spoke the
truth as to the State and aS TO this city. The
Health Department was among the last branches
of administration TO be reconstructed after the
Tammany model without the slightest refer
crce to the public welfare, but with soicltudc
only to give Tammany monopoly OF the pubic
trough. The process seems to have been nm
ished. Hereafter disease is to be combaed IN
the interest and for the profit of the bosses
If pestilcnce can be kept out of the city by
Tammany methods, all right; if not. let it
come in.
The people arc not expected or desired TO
say ANYTHING about the subject or to take any
action whatever until next November. when
they will be requested to hand in their approval
in the form of votes. But in reality the de-
mOrallZatiOn OF the lIcalth department mas
great present significance, and something ought
TO be said and done about it at once and
forcibly. 1t is not triiling matter that ply
sicans of established skill and knowledge and
unbcmishcd reputc, anxious only to do their
whole duty by the community, are forced TO
abandon its service because they are not per
mitted 10 serve il 10 the best of their ability.
Formidable diseases have gained lodging
here and refuse to be cxterminated. The most
deadly plague of the Old World is seeking adj
mittance and can he kept at a distance only
by unceasing vigilance. 1t is dangerous
time to lose the aid Of able and unscish ply
sicans, and it is especially dcplorablc that they
should be compelled to withdraw for causes
which will deter men Of like quality from
taking their places.