Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-16
TO RESTRAIN Mr.. ROBERTS
Application for Injunction Against Treasurer
of the United States.
Joseph BradReld Seeks to Prevent
Public Appropriations to PrOvi-
deRce Hospital-Hcnring begun.

Hearing was begun this afternoon before
Judge Hagner in Equity Court No. on
the petition, filed November u last by
Joseph Bradfield, for an injunction against
Ellis H. Roberts. treasurer of the United
States. The object Of the suit. according
to Mr.. Bradfeld, is to procure an order or
the court enjoiring and restraining Treas
urer Roberts from paying or delivering to
any officer Or agent of Providence Hospital,
or the directors of Providence Hospital Of
the city of Washington District of Column
bia, or to any person whatsoever, for the
use and benefit of the same. any money
belt nging to the United States to the
District of Columbia. upon an agreement
between the surgeon general Of the army
and the directors of the hospital, under
color Of an authority to provide "for the
support and medical treatment Of ninety
five medical and surgical patients, who are
destitute" contained in the sundry civil. act
of June last; or by virtue Of an agree
ment between the District Commissioners
and the directors of the hospital. made Au-
gust IS last, wherein it is provided that
grounds of the hospital an isolating build
ing. or ward. for the treatment Of minor
contagious diseases"
Mr. Bradfeld appeared as attorney in his
own behalf. while District Attorney Davis
looked after the interests Of Treasurer
Roberts.
Applicants Claim.
Mr.. Bradfield's argument was to the eff
feet that Providence Hospital is a private
eleemosynary corporation, composed, to the
best of his belief, of a monastic order, or
sisterhood of the Roman Catholic Church,
and is conducted under the auspices of the
church, invested specially with full power
and all the rights of opening and keeping
a hospital in the city of Washington for
the care of such sick and invalid persons
may place themselves under the treat
ment and care of the corporation
Mr.. Bradfield, continuing, contend2d
that in view of the sectarian character OF
the hospital and the specific and limited
object of it's erection the contract with the
surgeon general and the agreement with
the Commissioners are unauthorized by
law, and. moreover. involves a principle
and a precedent for the appropriation OF
the funds of the United States for the
use and support of the religious societies
contrary to the article of the Constltu-
ton which declares that Congress shall
make no law respecting a religious estab-
lishment, and also precedent for giving
to religious societies a legal agency in
carrying into effect a public and civil duty,
which would, if once established, said Mr..
Bradfe,d, speedily obliterate the essential
difference between civil and religious func-
tioEs.
Citizens Are Injured.
Mr. Bradfield further declared that he
and all other citizens and taxpayers of
the United States are injured by reason
of the contract and agreement whereof
the public funds are being used and plcdg-
ed for the advancement and support of a
private ard sectarian corporation.
District Attorney Davis had not begun
mis- argument when this report closed.