The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-05
TWO BOARDS OF MANAGERS.
A SURPRISE SPRUNG AT THE AN
NUAL ELECTION FOR MANA
GERS OF THE sAVAN-
Nah HOSPITAL.

Health Omcer drummer Casts 3GO
Votes for the City and zoo for the
County and Claims the Election OF
the Ticket Voted for by Him-The
Managers Throw Out His ballot
and Declare the Old Board Elected
What Those Interested Have to
Say About the Matter.
Something Of a sensation was sprung
at the annual election for managers of the
Savannah Hospital yesterday. According
TO the returns, the old board Of managers
was reelected. as follows; Ar. George j.
Mills. Sir II J. Solomons. Dr. william
Duncan. Mr.. Malcolm Maclean, 3Ir. r ..
Walker. Mr. C. H. Hoist ard capt H. c.
Cunningham.
DR.. W. F. Drummer claims that the fol-
lowing board was elected: DIT. a. =. S--1-
mons. DR.. Nj. r. Dunn. Dr. c. y. Brandt,
DR.. L. a. Faligant Dr.. ". T. Drummer
Mr. NJ. Solomons and Mr.. George J.
Mills.
The election was held at the Office Of
the president. Mr.. Mills. II appeared that
the election would pass OF quietly, ar
many previous elections have done, when
Health Ofhcer Drummer came n and asked
permission 10 vote. Or. Drummer had tho
proxies for the city subscription and the
county subscription TO the support Of the
hospital. Under the bylaws Of the insti-
tuition every person subscribing s. or over
70 the support OF the hospital is entitled
70 vote at the annual election for man
ayers. DR.. Drummer understood that this
sum was SO, and that every subscriber
was entitled to vote as many times as he
had contributed multples Of this sum.
Under this construction he claimed the
49, " naHH ~ y
for the county, as the city has agreed TO
give the hospital 800 a month this year
and the county has appropriated 5000
70 Il for the year. DR.. Drummer held
proxies both for the city and county Dr.
Drummer was allowed to vote his ticket
but the managers of the election stated
that they doubted his right to do So Capt
Cunningham. who is a member Of the
board Of managers Of the hospital, was
sent for and consulted with Mir. Mills and
Mr. Maclean, who were in charge of the
election. II was decided that IL was doubt
full If DR.. Drummer was entitled to vote
upon these proxies, and that in case he
was entitled to vote he could be allowed
only one vote each for the city and
county. DR.. Brunners ballot was accord
ingly thrown out and the old board Of d.
rectors declared elected.
DR.. Drummer was seen at his Office yes
terday afternoon. DR.. Simmons and DIT
Brandt, whose mes were On tlE k4Ehtk
voted by DR.. Drummer, were with him. Dr.
Drummer said that he obtained the au-
thority to vote the city's proxy from
Mayor Myers, and that his action was
taken by authority of the latter. The
proxy for the county's subscription, he
said. was obtained from Commissioner J.
J. Dale, who gave the proxy after hav-
ing consulted two other commissioner
and obtained their consent. this being a
majority Of the board. DR.. Drummer was
asked his reasons fer taking such an ac-
tive interest in the affairs Of the hospital
and attempting to give it practically
new board.
because" he said, II think the city
and county, as the chief supporters Of the
institution, should have something TO say
as TO its management and that the health
officer, as the representative Of the city,
should have some voice In the manage
ment. AS II is now. although practically
supported by the city and county, the
hospital Is practically private institu-
ton, in fact, IS commonly spoken Of as
close corporation. The outside public has
no knowledge o. what goes on there, anC
the city and county have no means OF
knowing whether the sums contributed
by them for the support Of the institution
are properly expended for the pubic bene-
fit. No statement is made Of its receipts
and expenditure"
electionY" DR.. Drummer was asked
My board is elected" he replied. I'VE
are now the board Of managers Of the Sa-
vannah hospital and we shall take steps
TO assert our rights as such. The matter
is being looked into and our legal position
ascertained. We viii meet together to-
morrow to consider the matter and de-
eide upon what course to pursue. I have
not the least doubt that the change meets
with the approval of the majority of the
medical fraternity of Savannah. My idea
is that should the new board take charge,
that instead of having a permanent board
of visiting physicians as at present, all
the reputable members Of the fraternity
in the city should be invited to take turns
in doing this work"
DR.. Drummer said that he did not know
that DR.. Duncan was a member Of the ole
board, but thought that he was elected to
the position Of superintendent by the
board of managers. The friends of the
old board of managers were very wroth
when they heard Of this attempt to alter
the complexion of the board. They de-
clared that IL was an unwarranted attempt
to take the control of the institution oul
of the hands Of its friends, the people who
have supported and maintained il and
looked after its interests for years and
whose fathers established and endowed it.
The action OF the city and county authori-
ties in giving proxies TO DR.. Drummer was
varlously criticised and the opinion freely
expressed that such action was irregular,
as it had not been authorized
by either the board Of county
commissioners or the city council in reg
ular meeting. DR.. T. ]. Charlton, who
is a member of the board Of county com
znissioners and also one Of the visiting
physicians Of the hospital. was seen and
said:
Neither Mr.. Dale nor anyone else had
any right to give proxy to anyone to
vote the county's subscription to the hos
pital. even if he did consult with two
other members of the board. Why was
7 not consulted? Because they knew that
would at once give publicity to any such
attempt Even If the county had the
right to give a proxy Of this kind, which
/ do not believe it has, it would have TO
be done in open meeting of the board. a
simple consent Of the majority Of the
board obtained privately is worthless
The whole thing is Illegal. The city and
county have no right 10 any vote in the
election for managers. They contribute
certain amour TO the hospital or Ger