The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-14

notwithstanding determined at
tempts on the part of certain mem
hers OF the Finance Committee of
Council to prevent changes in the reg
ulations of the City Home allowing a
staff of visiting physicians to take +
charge of the medical and surgical
work of that institution, as suggested |
by practically the entire medical pro-
fession of Richmond, the ordinance,
with two amendments was favorably |
reported at joint meeting of the !
Finance Committee and Committee of
Relief of the Poor held last night.
Long Discussion.
This conclusion was reached, how
ever, only after a long and bitter dis
pussion.
Some question arose as to how long
the measure had been on the shelf, and
Dr. Williams contended and declared
that kindred ordinances would have
been returned to Council long ago If
the subclairman of the Finance Com
mittee had lone his duty. There was
rather plain intimation, moreover, that
the effort TO block or defeat the new
regulations was due to two things
the severe criticism of the Finance
Committee by DR.. Williams for its
hardness In reporting City Home or
dinances, and the desire to take care
OF Dr. TreviIian, the resident physician.
In the end, however, the plan was
adopted, Alderman Dabney alone OPP
posing 1t.
Ridlculins Committee.
Not the most pleasant feeling exists
between these two committees. am
this fact was continually cropping out,
with a word here and there. rejecting
upon those members of Council who
are charged with the duty of looking
after the welfare of the home for
the poor.
One member of the Finance Com
mittee, for instance. contemptuously
Esked the name OF the committee. Not
eli the "tinanciers" were party to the
fiiibustering tactics. Mr.. Pollock,
Dabney showed their opposition
to it. Mr.. Pollock and Mr.. Mills
beins the most aggressive, al
though they finally voted for adoption.
There was injected into the considera
ton of the measure an attempt TO
make new rules for the management
Of the City Home, but so palpably out
of place was this..that Mr.. Cottrell pro-
tested .aIr-Pollock paved the way for
another long delay by his motion to
refer the matter to a subcommittee,
but this was withdrawn.
DR.. Tayior's Strong Plea.
The dearest light was thrown upon
the situation by DIR. Hugh NJ. Taylor.
who said that he had originally pro-
posed the visiting staff, and that 1t
was Endorsed by the faculty of the
medical colleges. THE plan now ex-
listing" he said, SIS obsolete, and so
recognized. The new plan is in vogue
everywhere, and l cannot see how,any
one can question the feasibility of il.
n will give the best help to poor suf
fering humanity. The poorest citizen
will get the benefit of the best at
tention. / reiterate that it is in tho
best interest OF the poor. many of
whom might be restored TO usefulness
" they can secure this expert atten-
tion."
Or. w. s. Gordon emphasized the
wisdom of what DR.. Taylor had said.
Question Not Answered,
When Nh Graham y. Hobson asked
Dr. Taylor II DR.. Trevillan In his
TWENTY-FIVE years at the City Home
had ever called in an expert, Alder.
man Dabney interposed sudden and
violent objection. The question way
not answered. DR.. Taylor, DR.. Cor,
den. Dr. Williams and Alderman Ell
lett explained that the visiting stat
~on'd not object to including the reg
Ilations in the ordinance. They want
ed it understood that the leading med
Seal volunteers would live up to thei1
obligations and assume all RESPONSE
bilitEs during their period of ser.
vice for the proper care and atten,
ton of inmates Alderman Elicit wa.
proceeding to say that he had been IL
taVor of the change for long time
when member OF the Finance Com.