The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-04
The Reelection of Police
Surgeon Palmer.
Remarkable Reduction in the
Number Reported Sick.
Quotation From a Quaint Old Ser
mon--Compass of Singers.

The reelection of police surgeon Pal
mer will give general satisfaction to every
one who has any knowledge OF the val
liable and important services he renders
tie department.. There are some who are
dissatisfied with this latest evidence of
appreciation of faithful and efficient SER
vice, but IL Is safe to say that the major
iry of the disgruptled ones is made up Of
that class who at some time or other have
been caught by the surgeon in feigning
illness In order TO escape performance OF
duty. Opposition that comes from such
a quarter Is the kind a man can best
afford 10 have and there isn't any doubt
that II exists today in the police depa-t-
ment to n considerable extent, but TIERS
Is no fear that IL will deter DIR. Palmer
from performing his duties faithfully,
conscientiously and impartially and saw
ing the city from loss through what the
street Arab would call "sojering," on
the part OF members OF the force. DIR.
Palmer Is a man OF pretty pronounced
views as to mans duties and RESPONSE
bilities and performing and observing
strictly those that fall to him he Is not
inclined to permit any laxity on the part
of others who may come under his obser-
vation ia an official way.
The doctor is Connecticut man and
early in life was thrown on his own re-
sources but with that courage, self-re-
lance and dauntless spirit which are
Characteristic of the man he secured
collegiate education at Yale. mainly
through his own unalded efforts His
medical and surgical education at Har-
ward Medical College and at the New
York University were provided for in
the same way. When the war OF the re-
bsIlion broke out he had good and
growing practice, but he left that to
serve as surgeon with the Third New York
Cavalry. He was three years in the field
ana after the fall of Richmond he was
placed in charge of a hospital there as
acting staff surgeon of the Uaited States
army and held this important rank at
Richmond and at other hospitals In vir-
ginia until the autumn of 1866, when
he was mustered out of service. After the
close CT his army service DIR. Palmer came
TO Providence where, in short time, he
Quilt up large practice. He was en-
gagged by the late Chief OF Police Gross
to attend to police cases, making exami-
nations OF the physical condition of APP
plicants for appointment TO the force,
which previously had been merely per-
functory and much a matter of form. In
another direction also the chief recog-
nized the value OF DIR. Palmer's services.
the condition OF policemen reported sick.
Up TO the time OF DIR. Palmer's engage
ment sickness was the convenient
cloak for days outing or recreation,
but that system of deception received its
death blow when the doctor began his
duties. Indeed the records show how
veIuable his services have been in this
respect. In 1876, for instance, before Dr.
Palmer's engagement there was total of
2773 days sickness, while in 1877, with
Or. Palmer performing the duties of act
ing police surgeon, the number of days
sickness was reduced nearly one half-to
1415 and 10 years later with largely in
creased nun Der of men In the depart
ment there we're but 756 days lost on ac-
count OF sickness Indeed the value of
the DOCTORS services, both I'm examina-
tion of candidates for the force as TO their
physical condition, In passing upon
cases OF sickness aud In the performance
of the many other important duties which
devolve upon police surgeon, cannot
be over estimated. Nor should il be sup
posed the doctor is severe or rigorous.
Nothing OF the sort. He is quick as to dis
cover case of real sickness and to rem
der efficient and sympathetic aid as he is
to detect shamming.
Anent the Methodist conferences now
being held In several cities Of New En-
Eihnu lfltnd OF the dOsslper quoted
this morning part of a sermon which he
once heard at a service held during con-
ference: al want you my young sin
ners," said the preacher. "to kiss and get
married and devote your time 10 morality
and money making. Then let your home
be provided with such necessaries and
comforts as piety, pickles, pots aad ket-
ties, brushes, brooms~ and benevolence.
virtue, wine and wisdom. Have these
always on hand ana happiness will tie
with you. DO not drink anything intox-
tcating. eat moderately, 90 about busi-
ness after breakfast, lounge a little after
dinner. chat after tea and kiss after
quarreling. Then ell the Joy, the peace
and bliss tais earth can afford shall be
yours until the grave closes over you ana
your spirits are borne TO brighter and
happier world"
"How many men were In the war, all
toidfn asked veteran who now holds
. position IN the city hall OF another who
wore the blcc. 81 don't know" was the
answer. al suppose, though, 4 could find
oct by looking fhe natter mp" Then
the veteran who had asked the question
admitted that he had teen looking up
the records and had secured some inter
estinx results. "ks near as I can figure
~ he vent on, "there were enlisted on
eho Union side from first TO last, 2.s51,-