New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-25
HONOR THE ONLY SALARY.
THAT IS WHY DR. SMITH RESIGNED THE
LONG ISLAND STATE HOSPITAL
sECRETARYSHIP.


HE SERVED AS SUCH TO THE BOARD OF NAN
AYERS. But DREW THE LINE AT PAYING
THE EXPENSES OUT OF HIS OWN PURSE
AN EFFORT TO GIVE POWER TO
LOCAL BOARDS PROPOSED.
DR.. Evan f. Smith has resigned as secretary Of
the Board OF Managers Of the Long Island State
Hospital. He will remain a member OF the Board.
but he found the duties OF the seoretaryship too
arduous to be performed without compensation OF
any sort, aad without even so much as an allow
for expenses. The resignation was handed In
on July and accepted with regret by the Board.
Since then DR.. Sylvester, superintendent Of the
hospital has acted secretary of the Board, and
II is probable that he will continue TO do 80 until
some provision is made to pay secretary. because
It IS doubtful whether any be found SUM-
GENTLY patriotic to devote much Of his time to
the State tho necessary duties OF this place de-
mand without compensation.
For one thing, the law requires that tho secre-
tary Of the Board must prepare nine typewrittcn
copies Of the minutes Of the Board meetings, one
copy to go to the State Lunacy Commission and
the eight remaining copies TO tie members OF tho
Board When II came to making nine typewriter
copies at his own expense Dr. Smith drew the
line. Then there the correspondence with per-
sons who wanted Information about the hospital.
Dr. Smith found there was n good deal Of this.
But worst Of all the number Of persons who
visited the doctor NJ MS mousse 10 get lnioriution
about the institution.
resolution finally adopted by the Board
giving a reasonable allowance to the doctor for ex-
penses and incidentals This sent TO the State
Board of Lunacy and promptly disallowed DR..
Smith lost time In making way for anybody
who would like a purely honorary cflce with a
large amount of clerical work attached 10 It,
1t is well known that the Long Island Hospital
Board. Ike a number OF other Rel ublican boards
Of managers throughout the State. has had consid-
cradle friction with the State Board OF !.unacy;
which IL Democratic. The local Board Is inclined
to resent the fact that II IS largely igurehead
Board. while the real work Is mostly done by the
State Board OF Lunacy The law passed last year
somewhat increased the power OF the local board
II gave to the latter. for instance the power 10
dismiss the superintendent and appoint his sue.
cessor. In order to keep in direct touch with all
the institutions over which they have charge tho
State Board Of Lunacy has the several superln-
tcndants report directly TO II how things are pro.
ceedng at their institutions. The expenditure or
100000 annually IS left TO the State Board, the
local boa rds having little check the expendi-
ture. None Of the purchases made by the minor
each item and either allowed or disaowed H.
Tho Brooklyn Board Is far from satisfied ny the
roncntites which this arrangement makes OF mem
An attempt. II Is rumOred, Will be made IN INC
LEGISLATURE next winter 20 reduce the state i'oar
o. unacy TO a visitorial and supervisorial
BID, and TO put all the real power OF management
It. , the hands OF the local boards.
olse at ST. Johnand is finished. with the excep.
ION Of the basin. which is to have diameter OK
, 2-o feet II is expected 70 have the canal COM
pleted IN time 10 use II for bringing In coal