New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-06
THE RIGHTS AND THE WRONGS.
MISS DOCKS OBJECTIONS OvERRULED BY
THE NEW ORGANIZATION OF NURSES.

The meeting Of graduate nurses held Yesterday
afternoon at the United Charities Building was the
scene Of considerable controversy. Everybody was
50 much mixed up on the rights and the wrongs Of
the case that even the mos, DISTINGUISHED finds 1t
difficult 70 make lucid statement Of facts
As Miss Cameron. the temporary chairman. was
absent Miss c. r. Watkins. of the NewYork City
Hospital was called to the chair. She read a
paper in which she attacked Miss Dock, of Belle
vue. for having objected to everything that was
said or done at the last meeting. Miss Dock mad
objected to admitting into the organization the
graduates Of small training schools. and she at
tempted to show the inadvsablity Of seeking legis-
lation except through the Nurses Associated
AIumnac Of the United States and Canada. which
stands in close touch with the American Society oil
Supernendents Of Training Schools for Nurses. of
which Miss Dock is secretary.
Miss Watkins said that. the National Associa-
ton had been organized time and had not yet
been of any assistance to The nurses. 1t WAS time
they tried to help themselves. They wanted
to form an Organization that would raise the
standard OF nursing. care for sick nurses ana Dury
those who died destitute
Every training school in the State had been noti-
fed of yesterdays meeting and II every one was
not repres nted there those who had first called the
meeting were not to blame. Mr.. Faure. Commits
sloner Of Charities. took up the cudges for Miss
Dock and declared in emphatic language that the
organization contemplated was not broad ana rep
resentative Miss Dock then arose and said indig-
nantly that lady had told her that she had no
business to speak there because she 'the other
woman had paid for the room.
Francis +. I.eman. who had been called 10 the
chair while Miss Watkins speaking rose with
a weary air and said: Ladies' ladies'. you place
me in a very embarrassing position Wish 10
dispel however. an impression that seems TO nave
been created by a false rumor. that MIS-. Graz
strom who first proposed this organization oil
.,o lnl,. refar n
by Miss Dock was prompted by Interior and selfish
motives She requests me to say that she Is
wholly disinterested and is only anxious to I'M
prove the condition Of the nurses
Arter more discussion Mrs. Tiellar. graduate of
| the New-York city Training School read paper
IN which she discussed three practical points: nat
Is the greatest need of the nurse? What IL the
future of the nurse? and What can be done for the
nurse2 II appeared from her remarks that the
real troubl, is "a difference OF opinion as to the
respective merits Of democratic and oligarcnc gov
eminent The nurses who called the meeting yes
terday want an organization OF their own 70 De
governed by themselves Miss Dock Commits
sioner Faure and those fcw who have opposed the
formation of this organization appear TO want one
Thar Will be governed 10y the superntendcnts OF
| training schools.
The opposing faction being overruled. retired from
the scene yesterday before the meeting closed, ana
those left proceeded TO adopt resolutions ana eject
officers The resolutions were as follows:
Whereas The need for maintaining The STANDARD
and efficiency of the graduate nurses profession L.
manifest and recognizing that the profession OF me
| graduated nurses should be protected by the same
Safeguards az the medical ana dental professions are
! now surrounded. by compelling the graduates OF
schools of recognized standard to register their
names ana the date and school from which they ale
graduated I'm the County Clerks Once in the county
| IN which they are reslucnt. and
Whereas II H. weli-known fact thai the treat
men by electricity. hydro helapy, medical gymnas-
tics massage and mecaanO -therapy is being actsed
by many persons VINO. by reason o. their want OF
thorough knowledge o. the science of tnese systems
OF treatment. dOne no, only a giir.ous wrong
by their Misrepresentation to those patients who re-
sort 10 them. also great injury j. being done 10
the profession OF the trained nurses by the chalat-
anism of these solf-appOinted operators ana
Whereas. Ii is also a we-knOwn fact that under
the guise and cloak of giving alleged massage treat
ment the law Is beng violated by the maintenance
of establishments of i-famc; therefore, be II
Resolved That committee OF three 81 TINS socl
be appointed ID secure legal aid I'm preparng ana
drafting bill bills 20 be submitted 70 the Legis-
lature of the State OF NcW-IOrk 10 effect the pro-
lection which legal registration Will ahord am 10
remedy and correct the evils referred to-
The following officers were elected: President. Mrs
H. l.. Clute OF the Ncw-York city Hospital; first
vice president Miss Ellen Enrght, OF Long Island
College: second vice-presideni MISS > Barton. Of
MounaSinai Hospital; corresponding secretary, Miss
Robbins of the PJsi-Ciraduate College: recording
secretary Miss Turb OF Bellevue Hospital. and
treasurer Miss Arends. Of Mount Sinai. About forty
nurses Joined the organization yesterday afternoon
The Initiation fee will be s. and the annual dues ST.