The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-26
IN BEHALF OF FERGUSON
LARGE DELEGATION OF PHYSICIANS
CALLS ON THE MAYOR,
But Mr.. Taggart Refuses to Commit
Himself as to the Hospital
Superintendency.

DR.. Joseph w. Marsee and large delega-
tion of representative physicians went be-
fore the Board OF Public Health yesterday
morning to register protests, verbal and
written, against the removal of Dr. C. E.
Ferguson from the SUPPLEMENTARY Of the
City Hospital Mayor Taggart was with
the Board of Health. and it was to him that
most of the remarks were addressed,
as it is generally understood that he dictates
all appointments. Yesterday morning the
mayor tried to create the impression that
the appointment of the superintendent of
the hospital was to be made by the board,
not by himself. DR.. +. A. Morrison, presi-
dent of the Board of Health, said after the
conference ended that he did not under
stand that the board was to be responsible
for the appointment. 1.-The mayor has said
nothing about that" said he, but if he
wants the Health Board to accept the re-
sponsibiity 1t will do so.''
1t is being recalled that the mayor was
responsible two years ago for the appoint
ment Of youthful superintendent over the
protest of prominent physicians, who
warned him that he was making a mistake.
This proved to be true. The young superin-
tendent was forced to resign.
DR.. Marsee on behalf of the thirty ply
against DR.. Ferguson's removal. He assert
ed that it was not matter of politics, as
men of both parties were opposed to the
proposed removal. 1t was simply a question
of retaining competent man in an impor-
tant place, he said. No one could be APP
pointed who would be more competent than
Or. Ferguson. He spoke of the reforms
that had been inaugurated and successfully
oil he
physicians shared in his success. He spoke
of the great Improvement in the state in
situations since they were removed out of
politics. and said they furnished an object
lesson the city ought to profit from.
DR.. w. G. Rice presented written pro-
test signed by a number Of physicians. 1t
was as follows: I'VE earnestly protest
against a change being made in the man.
agement of the Indianapolis City Hospital.
The present superintendent, DR.. G. E. Fer
guson has managed the affairs OF this in
stitution with marked ability and great sue
cess. He is thoroughly acquainted with
every detail of hospital management, and a
change at this time would work serious
harm to this, the most important Of the
cityS charities. No proper reason can be
assigned for a change, and we respectfully
request that none be made. The benevolent
institutions of the State are now under
nonpartisan management, and those of the
city ought to be-
The protest was signed by w. G. Rice,
Theodore A. Potter, A. M. Cole, Mark II.
Thomas, ]. Rhodes, George |. Servoss. B.
Erdmann L; G Cline, J: 7. Mcshane, J. J.
Oliver, Fred r. Charlton, A. E. Sterne,
Louis Berkhardt, Henry jameson, G. d.
Kahlo, H. o. Panther, p. H. Jameson. l.. H.
Dunning, j. w. Marsee, w. L. J. Dodds,
David Ross, j. A. Sutcliffe.
A verbal protest was made by DR.. A. p:
Sterne on behalf of the Central College of
Physicians and Surgeons. j. B. Champion,
a student in the Indiana Medical College,
presented petition signed by two hundred
students of the local schools urging that DR..
Fergusons resignation be refused
Mayor Taggart evaded the issue in his
way of preface that he cid not intend for
the City Hospital to become political ma
chine for the use of incompetent persons.
No deterioration will be permitted, he
said in the efficient state into which
the hospital . and dispsensary have
Health reappoints DR.. Ferguson or some one
else" he declared, 1.-The present state of eff
cheney will be maintained. have every
confidence that the board Will not take q
backward step and that the affairs of the
hospital will be managed by thoroughly
competent person.
There is a growing belief that the mayor
will listen to the dictates of the silver
push" and that Dr. Feralson's head will
fall. There is but one other physician men
Poucher, 1t Is said, is not a candidate in
the sense of opposition to DR.. Ferguson,
but would like the place In case DR.. Fer
guson is to be deposed. DR.. Morrison,
president of the board, is said to be friendly
to DR.. Poucher. DR.. Poucher is q graduate
of De Pauw University His father is con-
nected with that school: The son comes
from the Indiana Medical College.