New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-03
WARDEN O'ROURKE REMOVED
COMPELLED TO GIVE UP HIS OFFICE AT
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL.
THE TWO REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS OF CHAR
TIES. MEssRs. CROFT AND oBEIRNE. ACT
AGAINST THE PROTEST OF JOHN P.
FAURE - GENERAL INCAPACITY

AGAINST THE PROTEST OF JOHN +.
FAURE - GENERAL 1NcAPAcrTY
GIVEN AS THE REASON.
The Commissioners of Charities had their first
serious disagreement yesterday when PRESIDENT
Croft and General OBeirne. the two Republican
members of the Board. combined to turn Warden
O'Rourke, of Bellevue Hospital out OF office against
the protest Of Commissioner John Z. Faure Inc
Republican Commissioners OF Charities have had IN
mind a general clearing out Of the Tammany at
tendants about Bellevue Hospital. and they have
been collecting some Information about the way In
which business has been conducted In the hospital
under Mr. ORourke's management They went no
further than to remove Mr.. O'Rourke from ofiice
yesterday, but 1t is understood that there are
number Of attendants at the hospital who VIII nave
to go in the future.
Several complaints against orderlles and other at
tendants In the hospital accused OF negligence or
brutal conduct In the treatment Of patients. have
been Investigated from time to time. but there were
no particular charges against Mr.. O'Rourke Mr..
Faure has been the Commissioner most active In
visiting the hospital and looking after the care OF
the patients there and most OF the appointments OF
attendants at the hospital since the new Board took
office have been made upon his recommendation. He
told his colleagues IN the Board that he did not
think It would be in the interest Of reform to remove
Mr.. O'Rourke from office. but they disagreed with
him. The order to remove Mr. O'Rourke was passed
late yesterday afternoon at special meeting Oh the
Board In the office. at Third-ave. and Eleventh-st,
in this form:
March 2. Ordered. that William r. O'Rourke be
notified that his services Will not be required as
Superintendent Bellevue Hospital after this date,
and that he turn over al TO the Deputy Super
mtendent all public property, records ana accounts
with all moneys on hand belonging or pertaining
this Board.
After the meeting over and the announcement
of Mr.. O'Rourke's removal had been made. Commits
sioners Croft and O'BeIrne said that he had been
removed for alleged general incapacty. They de-
olared shat there had been personal lfeeling and
that the removal OF Mr.. ORourke merely an Incl
dental step In direction OF reforming the hospital
cement President Croft said that Mr. Faure had
voted against the order to remove Mr.. o. Rourke MI
Faure said that he had opposed the removal OF MI
ORourke partly because he regarded Mr.. ORourke
4 competent official and partly because ne
thought Mr. O'Rourke being removed for polt-
zeal reasons
Mr.. ORourke. who obtained his place at Bellevue
Hospital by Tammany influence, has been regarded
polite and wcll-meaning official. who possessed
large amount OF executive ability. and allowed
loose methods. more on account or Is good nature
than by reason OF any desire to shirk his duties
tcular charges against him. and he thought ne nad
been removed for political reasons. Deputy super
Rtepent kekard was in narS OF the h ioIcs see an
Warden at Bellevue for five years -.
The Medical Boarl OF Bellevue Hospital met last
night at the hospia'. with Or. William H. Thhomp-
ing n, Commissioners Of Charities for discharg-
Ing Warden ORourke. The members praised the
expressed THEN opinion OF such body az the
Commissioners Of Charities have proved themselves
to be In dischargng the superintendent They
characterized their action as ridiculous and OUT
rageous Amons those present Iere Dts fr rSco1I
LOOMS Alexander Lambert. ). II. Marko and Pro-