The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-21
FOR A MARINE HOSPITAL.
Business Men Taking Hold of the
Movement.


The movement iu favor of the estab-
lishment of a United States marine hos
pital at Savannah has met with general
approval A number of prominent gen
tlemen have interested themselves in the
movement and are giving it their hearty
support. Among them are Gen. G. NJ.
Sorrel, Col. William Garrard, Collector of
Customs T. F. Johnson, Alderman George
]. Mills, DR. W. f. Drummer, health OIL
Ger, Mr.. c. S. Connerat and others.
Mayor McDonough is interested in the
movement and so are President Karow, of
the cotton exchange. and President Purse,
of the board of trade.
Collector Johnson, who Is also custodian
OF the proposed hospital site, said yester-
day: Il am heartily in favor of the move
ment. Considering the number of sailors
entering this port, and the importance of
the shipping interests here. it is a matter
Of surprise that Savannah has not de-
manded a marine hospital before this
time. It is certainly the best disposition
the government can make Of the old post
Office lot at AbercoTn and York streets. In-
Guiding the amount paid for the lot and that
subsequently expended for foundations be-
fore the work was abandoned, the lot rep
resents about $50, 900 of government money.
Not one-third of that amount can be OBJ
tanned for the lot now. A building such
as the government would erect would be
an ornament to that part of the city"
NEEDED INSTITUTION.
Gen. Sorrel, manager of the Ocean
Steamship Company, speaks very strongly
in favor of the hospital
The movement has my hearty sup
port" said Gen. Sorrel to q MORNING
NEWS reporter yesterday. considering
the value that hospital would be to the
shipping interests of the port l think it
should have the support of all interested
In shipping and commerce at this
point. The records show, believe,
that about 25, 900 sailors enter this port
annually. As the government has under
taken to care for these men when sick and
wounded, these figures alone should be
su11clent argument for the esta blishment
OF such an institution. There ara over 500
officers and employees of oil classes en-
gagged upon the coast line steamships ply
ing from this port, besides the large
number OF American sailors entering here
upon the coasting schooners. In addition,
there are the employees upon the river
steamboats, and the tugs plying upon the
river, all Of whom would be entitled to
the benefits of the marine hospital.
There are marine hospitals at New Or
leans, Key West and Wilmington 1t
would certainly seem that Savannah is
entitled to such an institution.
PRAISE FOR THE SISTERS.
IT wish you would say for me-" said
Gen. Sorrel, that no aspersion has been
cast by any of the gentlemen who have
interested themselves in this movement
upon the management of the st. Joseph's
Intrmary The good women in charge of
that institution have certainly done all
in their power for those intrusted to their
care. 1t is true, perhaps, that they lack
facilities demanded by modern science,
but that is none of their fault Too much
can not be said in praise of them and
their work"
The announcement from Washington Of
the movement in behalf of a marine hos
p1tal for Savannah was surprise to those
who had begun the movement here They
had intended to make the matter public
at the proper time, but expected to make
the announcement here. The infirmary
receives small compensation from the
government for caring for the seamen
sent here by the marine hospital surgeon,
but the amount is not sufficiently
large to make it an object
with the friends of the in
stitution to oppose the movement to
give Savannah another hospital A first
class marine hospital is one of the proper
equipments of the government service at
this port, just the same as the custom
house and the postofice and it is proper
that the city should have all these just
as soon as they can be obtained,