The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-03
FREOERICKsBURG, Va, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1901
A Pathetic Appeal.
The Outlook)

llt PuAipVhJ
We have received from the Chairman
of the University of Virginia, an Office
which corresponds to the presidency OIL
most colleges. the following letter, to
which we are glad To give editorial
prominence:
Dear Mr.. Abbott: Our little hospital
here has been open for two months past
and we have been running it experiment
tally. The building we accupy, as you
know. il the Administration Building,
which was not originally intended for
patients. but we opened it up, with ne
groes on the first floor and whites on the
second. and have been running it in this
way for two months. The result OF this
experience is that, while our negroes
represent only six -tenths Of our popula-
ton. they represent three quarters oi
our poor and suffering, and we find that
we are absolutely unable to accommo-
date them in proper proportion IN our
present building.
The appropriation for running this
hospital for the present year is already
provided for from our State income, but
we cannot meet the demands of this suf-
iering race unless we have more room.
We have every promise Of being able TO
build the white ward a. a memorial, but
the proposed negro ward, correspon-
ding. but on the north side Of the building
we have nothing for, and no present hope
of erecting
Do you know of any friends OF this
people. OF half-dozen friends, who VIII
raise SIG 900 for us for twenty
negro ward? know of no charity that
would reach the real needs Of this people
as much, and we have done everything
we can, having about ten negroes on
hand all the time, and each bed isspoken
for five times over before it is vacant
We have nurses enough and every other
provision. but we have not the room
Do you know Of any one who would
help us? With all the millions that have
been given by the North for, the education
of the negro, it has always seemed
strange to me that no attempt has been
made to meet his physical wants. When
| planned this hospital, it was with the
distinct end that its good things would
be bestowed equally upon the two races
and this we are ready to do, but we
haven't the shelter for the negro unless we
dispossess those who are not only needy
but able to pay little for their keep,
while our services to the negro are pure
charity. P.bBARRiN"ER'
Chairman
There is something very pathetic IN
this appeal on behalf of poor and help
less people b. friends whose friendship
has been doubted or denied. Whenever
a race is put upon its own resources, the
line of division begins to show itself be-
tween the competent and the incomp-
tent. This division is showing itself TO
day in the negro race A fairproportion
of that race are seen gradually rising t.
the demands.of our exacting modern lie;
a larger number stand, as it were, dazed
before the task presented to them; and,
alasl another large number have given
the task up and are slowly falling back.
| To meet the physical needs OF these in
capabes, particularly the old slave rem
nant. worn out in the hopeless struggle,
Virginians are trying in the hospital at
| Charlottesville TO provide for some re-
pair-shop, for others a haven OF refuge.
1t is the glory of modern .civilization.that
in our towns and cities it furnishes to the
poorest in free hospitals medical care
as good as that which the wealthest
can purchase. 1t is the glory OF
Virginia that it is making he
role attempt to apply this principle
to the colored people in the present case.
But the attempt is made under greatdls-
advantages. The State is not able TO
help much because Of the enormous State
debt and the heavy draft made upon the
State resources for the education OF a
great illiterate population. Of somefour
million dollars income from taxation,
over six hundred thousand goes first Tor
interest on the State debt, over four mil
lions goes to-education, and the other
fourteen hundred thousand only is leftfor
current expenses Of administration IL
the negroes who need hospital care ana
attention are to receive it, the University
of Virginia, which is endeavoring to pro
vide it for them in it's medical hospital,
must have aid from without the state,
and we commend the letter of DR.. Bar
ringer most heartily to the consideration
of any phiIanthropist who is looking for
a good opportunity for paying invest
ment.