Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-17
About HIos.jnltalsl.,

Editor Ylrgnian-P Pilot:
The writer OF the article in your Issue
or the 18th instant, under the above
caption, seems to think. that an injus-
tioe has been done the Protestant Hos,
pital BY the Bbard Of Supervisors Of
Norfolk County appropriating Sl00 to
the rebuilding fund of st. Vincents
Hospital instead Of allowing half of the
amount to the former institution.
Although the article is signed Jus
ttce," yet for him to form compari-
son as to the existing conditions or the
two institutions so as to make 1T APP
pear as though the wants of the Pro-
testant Hospital are equally as great
as those Of ST. Vlncents, by thinking
that contributions should be equally
divided, makes one feel that. Justice"
forgot to insert the letters I'M before
his name, or else has q peculiar mean-
ing Of his own in speaking Of justice.
Justice in it's ordinary sense is that
quality OF being impartial in our deal
ings. but not to Judge things OF an en-
tirely, different nature as being similar.
1t Is plain injustice to form q compari-
son between things surrounded by diff
ferent conditions-such, for instance,
as ST. Vinccnt'S Is at present in COM
parison with the Protestant Hospital
so as to make 1t appear that both are
on equal basis. and that contributions
should be given accordingly. Such n
plea, however, has appeared n number
of times in your paper in support of the
cause OF the Protestant Hospital, but
it carried such injustice on It's face
that the people seem to have passed 1t
by without comment. and the writer
himself would have let it passed by on
this occasion had lie not felt that it is
about time that such q spirit should
cease to manifest itself, and that the
cause of the Protestant Hospital was
being injured instead OF benefited.
Furthermore. 1t is not justice on the
part of anyone to impress upon the
public that the wants of the Protestant
Hospital are as urgent and as great as
those of st. Nincent's, and therefore it
should not be expected that the people
should contribute as literally towards
one as the other. The public will give
In proportion to the wants of that in
stitution most in need. and that is why
so many generous contributions have
already been made to ST. Vincent's.
Our people know, without having to
call their attention TO it, that St. Vim
cents Is in far greater need than any
institution of it's kind in Norfolk, mas
much as it was almost totally destroy
ed, and there are no funds TO complete
It's rebuilding except by relying on the
generous charity OF the public.
For any institution TO take advan-
taSe of the calamity that has visited
ST. Fincent's by advertising its wants
before the people, especially in this dire
hour of st. Nincent's-when that insti-
tuition should be allowed To be free
from anything in the way of competi-
ton OIL account OF the circumstances
displays a spirit that is as jealous as
1t Is uncharitablc. ~.
The writer does not question the
wants OF the Protestant Hospital; in
fact he believes that worthy institution
Is In need, and Should receive generous
assistance in proportion to those needs.
However he thinks it looks little I'M
gracious that the wants OF this hos
pital should be brought out so wildly
only when contributions had COM
mcnced to come in to st. Vlncent's.
1t Is not clear to the writer what
Justice" has reference to in saying at
Is fitting at all times to help every
worthy cause, but especially is 1t fitting
that charity begins at home" but it Is
known TO all that St. Vlncents was the
first, and for years the only. hospital in
Norfolk, and the history Of her noble
mission Is too well known In the minds
of our people for any individual or in
stitution to retard the good work she Is
destined to accomplish in the future.
These few plain facts. written in n
spirit of Justice to the cause and with
the kindcst feelings towards both in
situations, I trust will be the means Of
preventing unjust comparison in fu-
ture.
"ZADOIl."