Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-05
THE ABUSE OF CHARITIES
DR.. Purvis Writes to Chairman Mcmillan
of the Senate District Committee.
He Protests in Behalf of COlOred Stu.
the Medical Association.

Milan, chairman Of the Senate committee
on the District of Columbia, protesting
against the adoption by Congress of some
OF the recommendations lately made by the
Medical Association Of the District of Co.
lumbia. in regard to the management of
hospitals here.
DR.. Purvis refers to these recommended
slant. and says:
Much of what they say is timely prop
err and I concur. First, as to the duties
OF the medical profession: second, the
abuse Of medical charity; third, the effect
of free medical treatment. But to their
recommendations 1 take exception. Their
e; pressions are disingenous. To quote
them: The subject of hospital management
in this city might be simplifed by placing
All hospitals owned and supported by pub
Tic funds) Under the control of the munich
pal government preferably under the i'm
i'edlate supervision of a board of chari-
ties With a Competent executive officer
Public hospitals, like the Freedmen's
Columbia and the wards connected with
the washington Asylum, should be open to
medical students for clinical Instructions
since they are, after all, not only intended
Tor the reception of the sick and wounded
Dut likewise constitute the training school
LOT the future family physician. The Chill
uren S, Garheld and Providence HOSPITALS
although owned by corpora tons. are prac-
tcally open to medical students
Howard University Graduates,
If the Medical Association of the Dis
trlct was founded upon broad. democratic
principles. and stood ready to welcome to
It's membership all reputable physicians of
the regular school, it might be able to
make proper recommendations as to the
government of hospitals in this city: but
as II exists, II is seclusiEe and an eX-
elusive organization, and governed by a
ccntemptible spirit CT prejudice, which is
lSnoble to a noble profession. Why should
freedmen 5 Hospital be thrown open to all
physicians and medical students of this
community? Are the students of the medi-
cal department of Howard University,
which Is located in the grounds of the
hospital. admitted to the other hospitals
Of the city? AS graduates. are they ad-
mitted to the Medical Association and So
ciety! Be it said to the disgrace Of those
organizations no.
To quote further: Garfield. Children's
and Providence hospital are practically
open to medical students To what class
of medical students? l am conscious that
very desirable class have no entire to
them.
1T is recommended, as I have quoted,
that some of the hospitals he placed either
under municipal control or a board of
charities. AS the present government of
the District is constituted. would such an
arrangement secure for all parties interest
ed equal rec ognitioE? Judging of the future
by the past. l am constrained to say it
would not. Let us leok at it, A third of
the population of this city is composed OF
colored persons struggling for an existence,
tor ar honorable future. In the workhoust,
III the poorhouse, in the asylum hospital
"a per cent of the inmates are from this
class. Is there colored man in official
position in either of these institutions?
Has oolored student ever been admitted
as physician or an inferno TO the asylum
hospital? No! Is there any prospect Of
their having access to these places? No!
Would a board of charities, as suggested.
secure equal privileges and opportunities?
Very doubtful. Twenty years ago when
this class of our citizens was less pros
porous tran now to assume responsible
tiles, they received official recognition that
is beyond their reach today. From their
humber came the city tax collector, city
treasurer, city register, commissioner of
police. fire commissioners, members of
the board of aldermen. members of the city
council, deputy marshals, and so on. But
this is in the past.
Too Much Concentration.
Il believe the abuse of charities should
be stopped the people should not be train
ed to be paupers; there should be municipal
supervision over the expenditure of NUM-
cipal funds but in so far it is possible,
and where justice and equity demand it,
the institutions referred to should be man
aged and controlled by our philanthropic
d,sinterested, public spirited citizens There
is already too much concentra ton of power
in this community. and as it grows older
1t becomes more arbitrary. The individual
rises superior to the citizen.
You are from Michigan. from the midst
of broad-gauged people, who live in
different atmosphere from this. Only those
who have dwelt here for term of years.
who are constantly the defensive
against the entertainments of the social
systems as they exist here, can speak cut
Of the abundance of their experience as to
the merit of the propositions submitted for
your consideration"