New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-13
DIR ROBERTSON VS.. DIR. JENKINS.

n1pc.e puvstc1AN AND THE HEALTH OFFICER
DISAGREE. AND WHO SHALL DECIDE?
Among the interesting episodes which have been
caused by e. V. Debs's dpsomania strike Is
slight unplcasantness-to use a euphemsn DOT
rowed from n description Of the late civil wiz
n slight unpeasantness between Health ofhcer
William T. jenkins, brother-n-law OF ex-boss
C-otor and DR. r. s Robertson, Debs's physician
IN this city who has become almost az well known
as Debs himself by teloSraphing to the s'r'Ne
leader that he had better let up on the country do
he wasn't responsible for his acts 1hen some re-
porters called upon DR.. Robertson and asked MN
n II was true that he had sent the telegram Dr.
Robertson said that 1T was. and in answer to
question defined free OF charge. the diseases DIP
somania and neurasthemia," from when the otrihe
Pnntata had been suffering
Now all this seemed improper TO Or. Jenkins.
and he hastened to get relief by telling Inc
American Druggist" that Or. Robertson had been
guilty OF gross and objectionable breach OF
professional confidence" and. somehow advance
sheets OF the trade paper got into all the newspa-
per Offices ard the criticism Of the Health officer
was spread broadcast
Like Senator iii. DR.. Robertson Is "unawed by
power and uncorrup.ed by patronage 80 when ne
read I'm the newspapers what Or. jenkins hah 10
say about him. he didn't hesitate to turn red with
anger and then get into white heat. and finally
10 send a telegram TO DR. Jenkins. couched In Wig
orous English. He went further, and tod why
DR. Jenkins had opened fire upon him This is the
telegram sent by Or. Robertson TO Or. Jenkins
Your imprudence in speaking for my profession
which never recognizes you. and your ingratitude
after | tried to have the Senate confirm you last
The whole press viii not forget how you treated
them. am willing to be criticised by any eau,
to be my valet. Now try again
Then Or Robertson emphatically denied that he
had violated any confidence as to Debs Said ne:
have known DR. Jenkins for many year;
tx IL a
said would do during the cholera scare OF d year
the Port and n crisis 10 prove what manner
OF man he was gave him some friendly advice
told him he should consult such men as Profe a,
sor LOOMS DR.. Jacob and Or. Mclane Hamil-
ton. lie told me TO mind my own business You
see he was Mr.. Cookers brother-n-aw and con con-
sidered he could do he pleased. on the Nor
MAMMA at that time were patient, ana iremns
and | spoke TO Or. Jenkins about getting these
and others or the Normannia at once He INT, int.-
mated 1t could be done and gave them 10 under
stand II would be done and made preparations 70
threatened to complain TO Governor Flower ana ana
this threat DR.. jenkins has never forgotten, ana
ne has taken the first opportunity to attack me-
Or. Robertson cheerfully gave the Information
that as a physician, DR. Jenkins rated low. He
had never written medical paper or taken part
In medical discussions.
Fire Island " Y, July 12.-Dr. Jenkins. who Is
STAYING at the Surf Hotel, was called upon to-day
TO make "a statement in reply to article pub
lished in 1.-The New-York Herald" which con-
tanned statements Of DR.. 7. s. Robertson The fol-
To-day my attention has been called TO tele
gram sent by Or. T. 5. Robertson. Any person
reading the telegram can see for himself whether
Or Robertson is blackguard or not As for his
eminent position In the profession, no one ever
heard OF before, and as for his contributions 70
medical literature scientific subjects or his dis
cussion OF scientific papers before medical socie
ties otherwise. am unable 10 recall any. AS
for his statements In regard 10 me In that respect
they are absolutely false. The only advice which
he claims to have given me during the cholera cpl
1em 81 pa per wa" to be taken from the Tornsnna
MIA rod on N oh
request / refused. the ground that there were |
many others who could demand a similar courtesy; |
Mr. palmer he DISCHARGED any desire to be treated
differently from tho other passengers Afterward |
Or Robertson apologized 70 me over the tele- |
rloun Tor outrageous statements made by him IN |
The public press But up this time have failed |
In print my answer made TO him at that
time. He states that ! am ungratefuI, because OF
ate OF my nomination. If he was one among the
many reputable men who endeayored to secure
this result have not been so advised ana his &C
ton was entirely unsolicited. II seems strange
that man who expresses such honorable pur-
pcten, n man as I am represented in his telegram
! have been Informed by many prominent medical
his action I'm 1892 has strengthened me with the |
profession only mention this as an instance OF
O. the opinion published which was expressed by |
me In conversation with number OF prominent |
hypothetical case and afterward learned that II was
Ilr Robertson who made the statement, which fact |
the published kilograms. which have not yet |
received or IN his statement. "A denial OF charges
made In all The s,htemehts made by MN IN the
truth IN every line. and there is failure TO Justify
i9t ss s nny an acton b8t
claim right 10 criticise any statement appear
Ing In me public & peon cye %nGm
calling which has re ntons with clients or patients.
notably physicians, lawyers and spiritual advisers
to verify the position taken upon this question"