Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-02-24
COUNTY PHYSICIAN MATTER.
"W. s. G." Thinks q Fair Question l
Entitled to Fair Answer.

"W. S. G." Thinks Fair Question Is
Entitled to a Fair Answer.
To the Commissioners Of York County !:
Gentlemen: A short time ago, your
humble servant, prompted by a spirit
of inquiry, and earnestly desiring to
obtain information with regard to mat
ter of public interest and Importance,
and in the exercise of his right as
citizen of the county, dared to approach
into your august presence, through the
medium of the newspaper, and in court
eous and respectful language, presumed
to ask you a pertinent question with
reference to the county physician matter.
After waiting suitable time for reply,
and receiving none, am convinced that
you have thought it proper to ignore my
question altogether. Now, gentlemen,
is this fair? Is this courteous?
While it is true that there are times
when "silence is golden" it is also true
that there arc circumstances under which
silence is criminal. I will allow the pub
lie to make the application in your case
and draw their own differences as regards
your silence. It is said that there are
two sides to every question, and with
regard to your recent action in awarding
the county practice, there are evidently
two sides-a right and wrong side.
Here again, in the absence of any ex-
planation from you, the public will doubt
less draw just conclusion as to which
side you occupy in the matter. Although
you haven't replied to my first query, al
low me to ask you another question. I
assume that each of you have men in
your employ to serve you in some capacl-
ty. Do you not expect those employees,
in consideration for the the money you
pay them,. to give you their very best
talents in the discharge of their duties ?
And if they, while pretending to transact
business for you, do something apparent
ly farcical, do you not claim the right to
demand an explanation from them ?
And if they remain silent, what do you
do next? Answers to the above questions
may help us to solve the county physician
matter. Now, gentlemen, the question
of ofawarding the county practice is pub
lie question, and one of vital importance
one that has in it the elements of life and
death. Your recent disposition of the
matter is, to say the least, questionable.
You have been given an opportunity to
explain and you either could not, or
would not.
In either case, you do not appear in
very creditable light. 1t is assumed that
public servants are always willing, yea,
anxious to give an account of their stew
ardship. But that may depend upon the
kind of service rendered. Some of you,
gentlemen, may, some day, aspire to
something higher (if that be possible)
than the office of county commissioner,
and you may then be asked some embar-
RAISING questions with regard to this
county practice business, and you may
find that your explanation may then be
considered out of date. In conclusion,
gentlemen, if the public are satisfied that
you have acted carefully, wisely and
humanely in awarding the county prac-
tice to a physician who, situated as he is,
environed as he is, cannot, in the very
nature of things do his duty Except by
substitute, which is miserable arrange
ment) by the county's poor, unfortunate,
helpless wards if the public are pleased
with your pleasant, not to say peculiar
ideas of business, then 1 too will submit.
W. S. G.