New-York tribune., 1901-11-28
SOUTH CAROLINA IEDIC4L LICENSES.
QUESTION OF SPECIAL GRANT TO CHARLESTON
COLLEGE.


CoLLBGE
Columbia s c. Nov. . (SpeciaD.--Considerab
excitement was caused throughout the State
Wednesday when il learned that Dr.. James
c. Moore. a prominent young physician had been
arrested in Marlboro County charged with practis-
ing medicine and surgery without a license. He
vas arraigned before Trial Justice Grassland for
a preliminary hearing. but on account OF an extra
judicial statement made by the justice, the case.
upon affidavit OF the defendant. transferred
to Justice Easterng. who proved TO be relative
of the accused man. and thus debarred from
hearing the case
Dr.. J. L. Napier. chairman Of the State Board of
Medical Examiners. was the one who swore out the
warrant, and il was he who al this juncture, went
before the grand jury and made formal complaint
a special presentment was made to the court which
then in session and the next morning Solicitor
J. ". Johnson gave ont formal bill of indictment
Apparently this simple case, but behind 1t
all there is story which is of intense interest
the entire medical fraternity in this State. Tho
General Assembly OF South Carolina. at its last
session, passed act part OF which reads
follows: Nothing in this section shall apply 10
regular graduates holding diplomas issued by any
college OF established reputation this State
which has tour years course of instruction and
standard OF not less than 70 per cent on eXamna-
tions and make satisfactory evidence of their
standing TO the State Board of Examiners
There is only one medical college in South Caro-
lima and It is the Charleston Medical College. at
Charleston This law was enacted in behalf of
this particular institution, which regarded
by many as being its last legs. The faculty in
duced the General Assembly pass this act. know
ing that it would be the means of attracting stu;
dents TO il who. under other circumstances would
seek colleges outside this State A long and bitter
fight was made against the bill, but ii was passed
by small majority.
DR.. Moore member of the class Of '0l which
graduated from this institution, and he and the
other thirty members claimed exemption from
examination: before the State Board of Medical Ex-
aminers and Immediately entered upon the prac-
tire of their profession. Only one member Dr.
Mishoe. of Sumter. appeared before the board and
took a creditable examination.
This matter Up before the Medical Associa-
ton. which Florence last summer, and the
action of the General Assembly was severely crii-
cised by nearly every member save the former
graduates of the Charleston Medical College This
is a test case, and the ambiguity of the wording
of the act makes il difficult 10 comprehend The
State Board has means of ascertaining the fit
ness Of graduates save by an eHaminat ton, and
the public demand that their ives shan not be
endangered by incompetent practitioners. and see
no reason why the Charleston College graduates
should thUs be favored.
The class has EN- nloyed Ex-Governor John c.
Shepard "a defend them whenever prosecuted. and
ne i now in Bennetts,ille 10 aid T. w. Rouchier,
tho is ..lso employed by Dr. Moore. The State
Medical Beard has retained Colonel Knox l-iyings-
ION 10 aid Solicitor Johnson in the prosecution If
DIR Moore is convicted then the other members of
The class stand liable 10 Indictment on the same