Evening journal., 1902-02-27
FIGHT FOR HOSPITAL
POSITIONS At AN End
Election Of Mr.B Blackburn to Super
intendency Gives SatiSIactiOn
New Official Viii Eulcr Upon Ills DutilS
lier Mkt NetliDg Of Trustees
Of POtr

Oi IObI
The fight for the SUPPLEMENTARY Of
the New Castle County Hospital, at
Farnhurst. ended yesterday afternoon
with the election OF b. Frank Black
burn to the office Announcement Of
his selection. as well as that of the
other officials chosen by the Trustees
OF the Poor was made exclusively in
the Evening Journal of yesterday, and
although the news was gladly received,
II created little surprise it having been
predicted that the officials named
would be elected. The election of Mr..
Blackburn gives almost general salts
faction The new superintendent will
take charge Of the county building on
April /. and under his administration
It will be conducted as admirably as it
has been by David Mccoy, the retiring
custodian.
The contest for the offices within
the gift of the new board was perhaps
the most spirited Of any the county
trustees were ever called upon to set
tie. In II figured many Republicans
from this part Of the county. All ef-
forts focused In the hours which pre-
ceeded the meeting Of yesterday. Can
didates for the several offices were at
Farnhurst. each with a coterie OF
friends. whose persistence no doubt
precipitated the unexpected election of
the day.
II was o'clock when the eleven Re
publican members OF the board met
privately to select the hospital Off
cials. Or. Columbus T. Henry, of New
ark was chairman of the caucus. The
selection OF a superintendent for the
building was given first attention. For
the place the names of Mr. Blackburn,
James b. Foster. Of New Castle; John
lCranston of Newport, and James Nc
IGnlighan. of Rockland and Jehu
Davis, of Coochs were presented.
The first ballot showed Blackburn to
have four votes; James b. Foster, three,
Mr. Cranston, two; Jehu Davis. one, and
James McGillighan one. OnsecOnd ballot
RiaclybrIn got seven votes, and was de-
clared the nominee. H. was agreed
among the trustees that they would not
diyulgo how th Sotes were cast. Mrs
Annie Blackburn was chosen matrOn
of the institution.
The selection OF the remaining Off
cials was without contest. practically.
Robert d. Kemp. of this city declined
to accept the secretaryship of the
board. and Joseph ID. Parker was given
the place. James w. Lattomus had as
his only opponent Robert c. Fraim
but as Mr.. Fraim's support was limited
20 but two votes. Mr. IIattomus' selec-
tion as attorney for the board was al
most unanimous. Herbert l.. Rice, of
this city was not a candidate for the
office. The other officers elected We're:
DR.. J. w. Bastian, coroner's physician;
Dr. H. W. Briggs, county physician;
John Blaisdale. engineer
AT 23O o'clock the caucus adjourned
and few minutes later the regular
meeting Of the board was opened. The
action of the caucus was announced
and subsequently confirmed by ballot.
In the election. Messrs. Fahey Muir
ply and Walker. the Democratic mem
bers Of the board cast their ballots for
retiring Democratic officials. a pro-
ceeding not unusual.
Back to Regular Business
The first business Of routine charac-
ter was the presentation by Mr.. Muir
I
! for S1.262. .S4, representing the cost of
plumbing work done on the Emergency
Hospital. 1t was explained that $500
of the amount had been paid Upon
motion the remaining S762,S4 was or
dered paid. E. L. Rice was allowed
sl65 as balance due on his bill Of 1915
for experimenting the construction
and drawing the plans of the hospital
A bill from the r. L. Peacock Company
amounting to S575.35, for furnishing
the building. was ordered paid.
Mr.. Fahey remarked that the bills
might appear excessive to the new mem
bers Of the board. but they We're for
work done and supplies finished by or
der OF the board and were Just. He
added that the building would not cOsl
one cent more than the court had ex-
pected to pay. IT, has been accepted by
the county and is now being occupied
by several smallpox patients.
Chairman Henry named Messrs
Murphy. Kemp and Polk as a House
Committee for the month, after which
adjournment was made.
The next meeting of the board will
be held on the last Wednesday in
March. when Mr.. Mccoy will transfer
the sunerinendency Of the building tC
Mr. Blackburn. The retiring superin
tendent has managed the institution
since May, 1894.
Mr. Blackburn has the appointment
of about fifteen employees, including q
farmer.