The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-26
MELROY's SIDE.
Health officer Talks About Health
Certificates.

Health officer Talks About Health
Certificates.
DR.. McElroy. city health physician, and
w. F. Simmons ticket agent at the Grand
Central depot last night, took occasion to
deny most emphatically that city health
certificates were being Unfortunately and
wrecklessly issued to all purchasers of
tickets at the Grand Central depot, their
denial being based upon the interview in
yesterdays Post. given to a reporter by
Judge Barbee of Wharton county.
Judge Barbee never saw me at the depot
or anywhere else" said Mr.. simmons, "and
there is absolutely no truth in the story
that would issue certificate to anyone
who called. have only issued soynn or
eight certificates in all, and did so as
deputy of DR.. McElroy, being appointed
at the request of the railroad company.
There were several persons who wanted to
leave Houston and were referred to the city
health officer for certificates by myself,
knowing that they could not leave the
train al certain points, and they not being
able TO find the Office of DR.. Mcl9lroy or
ind him, they missed their trains. Three
OF the certificates. | think | issued to en-
p!oyes OF the railroad companies, knowing
them personally, and probably one or two
others TO people of Houston whom / also
knew personally. Mr.. Taylor Of Wharton
called at the office for tickets for four men
whom he wanted to take to Wharton, aud
asked for certificates. l told him that he
did not need any. He said that ne had
been told before leaving home 10 get Ger.
tifcates. and asked where they could be
procured ! telephoned to DR.. McElroy
to come down and issue them but iaylor
appeared to be impatient, and for fear that
he would miss the train / received lnstruc-
tons from DR.. McElroy to make the is
suance. Those men were all from Harris
county. In doing this work always ques-
toned and took the address of the purson
applying, and did not under any circum-
stances peddle them out indiscrimina;c ly."
DR.. McElroy said: II depuriaed Mr..
Simmons to issue the certificates, and re-
posed full confidence in his ability 10 use
good judgment in SO doing. II was done
at the request of the railroad companies,
to- whom passengers had reported that they
were being Inconvenience by not Ia, ing
the proper papers ] saw Judge Barbea at
the Hutchins house. when he seemed to
place a different construction upon what
he had heard about the manner in which
the certificates were being issued than
that appearing in the paper. As far rs the
charge OF 81 for certificates is concerned.
merely followed the custom that prevails
everywhere, and If person is not able to
pay for certificate | will give 1t to him
if he is entitled to 1t, free OF charge. I lie
city health physician is paid o give med
ioal attention to paupers, or people wto
have no money, to look after the health
of the city, etc., and ihere is nothing In
law or rule that regulates the issuance
or charge for health certificates. There is
we'll defined custcm. however, and | am
simply following IT, | have not received
money for one-tenth Of the certificates !
have Issued since il has been necessary for
people leaving here to have them"
The above interviews OF DR.. McElroy and
Mr. Simmons were shown to Judge oarbee
at his room in the Hutchins House last
night whereupon he said
II have not changed my opinion from
that stated in the paper, and when nr.
Smith and myself return to Wharton coun-
ty we will recommend that the certificates
OF DR.. McElroy be not received. saw the
doctor In the hotel tonight about o'clock.
He told me that he thought that he lad
been wrong in allowing the certificates 10
be issued in the manner that they had.
but II had been done at the instance o. the
railroad company, who wished TO facilitate
passenger traffic. The conversation passed
off pleasantly. but when q few people col
lected about there DIR. McElroy stood up
and said that the whole objection To the
certificates had been trumpet Up By GER
tain politicians. and aimed at dos roying
his political influence. He said he thought
that had been influenced TO have the
interview published and then l stopped
him. saying that | was responsible tor the
whole business. wish to say that did
not see Mr.. Simmons at the ticket Office,
but did talk 10 a young gentleman behind
the wicket, and from that LARGELY based
INV conclusions about the way tho certii-
Gates were being issued. lelve .or home
tomorrow morning"