Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1902-06-05

the Choral Society, have placed in
the Hospital an operating table fitted
with all necessary appliances, and
alsoa case Of surgical instruments. A
stock Of medicines to supply the need
of both indoor and outdoor patients
has been maintained in the Hospital
as in former years. So that whilst
deeply conscious that the Hospital
still lacks very much that is required
to bring it up to the standard of the
modern up-to-date Hospital, yet it is
gratifying to know that during the
year another step has been taken
that brings it little nearer to that
high degree of perfection which
others have attained, and though the
end is still affair Off, yet the outlook
for the future was never more en-
couraging than it is at the present.
For it is evident to your committee
that this beneficial Institution has
passed beyond the experimental
stage, and that it has obtained per-
manent foothold in our community.
The increasing liberality that marks
the contributions of the people for its
maintenance, shows that they now
regard 1t as supplying a recognized
want, and that they are not willing
that it should cease to exist, or be-
come less efficient than it is. In view
of these facts it seems to your COM
mittee that we have reached point
where it is advisable to take the
Whole situation into consideration
with the view of placing the Hospi-
tai in a better position, and Of in
creasing its efficiency as recognized
permanent institution. The first
thing that demands our attention is
to discoveran adopt the best method
of securinga a sufficient annual revenue
to sustain it, At present the sources
of revenue are:
1st. The annual grants from the
county and city.
End. The annual contributions of
the citizens when called upon.
3rd. Other donations by societies,
churches and individuals.
These sources have yielded a sutfi-
cient revenue to meet the eXpendi-
ture upon the basis now maintained,
and this year there is very satisfac-
tory surplus over all expenditures.
But 1t is evident to every one that
there ~is an element of uncertainty
with regard to the results Of two of
the present sources of revenue, the
contributions of the citizens, and the
donations of societies etc., and your
committee feel that if the suggestion
made in their lastannual report were
carried into effect this element of un-
certainty would be removed, and, at
the same time, the burden of main,
tenance would be appOrtlOned more
evenly and fairly among the people.
That suggestion was to place the
Hospital for the sick in the same re-
lation of dependence upon the county
as the Home for the poor now oc-
cupies. There is probably no good
reason why this should not be done.
For until the end of time the sick
shall always be with us just as GER
tainly as the poor, and the appeal OF
helpless need is just as strong and as
touchingly pathetic in. the one case
as in the other, and the reward of
blessing is just as surely and unfail-
ingly promised to the kindness that
ministers to the sick as it is to the
charity that supplies the merits of
the poor.
End. Your committee are also inn
pressed with the fact that the time
has now arrived when some definite
plan should be adopted with a view
to obtain proper Hospital building
whose ownership would be vested in
the county, and to be known as some
such name as 'FThe County Wayne
General Hospital" This would fur
nish a much more suitable building,
and at the same time save more than
% per cent. of the present total cost
of maintenance which goes for rent.
Relieved of this large expenditure
for rent, which is a constant drain
upon the income, much more could
be done to bring the Hospital up to
the standard of modern equipment.
And no one doubts that the county,
including the city, has abundant
ability to erect and equip such a
building, especiallyas one gentleman