Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-22
SANATORIUM
CEREMONIES
Senator John Walter Smith Re-
CeiveS Merited Praises For
His Efforts.

HlOre udily papers give RlOWlnB dcCOunts
of the dedication Of the Maryland State
Sanatorium for tuberculosis sufferers at
Sabillasville, Frederick County, last
Saturday The Sun says.
Over 500 doctors and invited guests,
together with their wives and many
other specially invited ladies, went to
Sabillasville on a special Western Mary
land train which left Union Station at
10 O'Clock in the morning and arrived
shortly after noon.
A half hour later. seated on the large
veranda of the administration building,
unshielded from the sun and the wind,
as are the patients, the party heard the
mountain and the institution consecrat-
ed by United States Senator John Wal
ter Smith to the fight against the
"white DEATH" There were none there
but who were sincere participants in
the ceremony.
The institution, it is contended, has
been found to be the best of its kind
in the United States and probably in the
world. In its opening Maryland takes
first place in the list of cities fighting
the plague, and the country is looking
now with admiration to this State.
1t is the start of the States fight
against the disease, and it is big start
Two hundred and sixty-fve thousand
dollars has been appropriated by the
State. An immense administration
building and eight cottages have been
erected and two additional cottages will
soon be built. Nearly 200 patients are
now being treated and 400 are gradual
ed each year. 80 per cent. of whom are
cured.
A prominent figure in the days exer-
cises was Senator Smith, the president
of the board of managers, the fighter
who for 10 years fought for the institu-
ton and the power which impressed the
Legislature with the need Of the State
fighting for the lives of its citizens.
The Senator smilingly admitted that
he had seen the realization of one of his
most desired dreams. and in the speeches,
from the party and more touching
than all, from the patients themselves,
he received an almost constant stream
of congratulations and thanks. There
were others who had stood with him who
unselfshly acclaimed him as the leader
The speeches were not of the ordinary
kind. Senator Smith took off the wrap
pings of his own personality and
showed the folk chow his heart goes
round" lie told of the hope which
was now held that tuberculosis was
durable, and said the institution was to
be the State battle ground to fight for
its citizens lives. He explained the
institutions finances and what it could
do and the number it could accommo-
date. He told of the graduated cures,
and said these people would go forth to
help cure others by teaching them the
proper methods of cure.
1.-THE ravages of this disease" said
the Senator, have, II dare say, levied
their toll of death upon every family in
MARYLAND. re explained that !: %:S
a duty which the State owed to its
citizens and to itself to conduct cam
paign against the disease. The Senator
pointed out that from an economic stand
point this was made doubly forcible be-
cause men stricken with the disease
were not only incapacitated and their
earnings stopped, but the money of
their families was diverted to channels
for curing them. He pictured the send
ing of cured men back to lives of use
fitness and hope.
The speaker told of the desired scope
of the institution, and said that none
would be turned away while there was
room.
"Some can pay and will pay, others
cannot, but none must be turned away"
he said, and there was a peculiarly
heartfelt applause following this de-
claration. Senator Smith paid tribute
to Drs. William S. Thayer, William II.
Welch, II Warren Buckler and John S.
Fulton, former secretary of the State
Board of Health and now secretary
general of the international Congress
of Hygiene and Demography. with head
quarters at Washington. for their work
in making possible the institution.
Governor Crothers, in accepting the
institution for the State, spoke feelingly
of what it meant to the civilization of
Maryland to take such a step in helping
the distressed.
The Governor was followed by DIR.
Thayer, who was the chairman of the
late tuberculosis Commission which
the then Governor Smith appointed.
DIR. Thayer made one of the few
speeches of his life, but he did not
mince words.
1--WE hear of politicians in other States
and men at times scott at the work. but
want TO say here publicly that no
better public officials than Senator Smith
and the men at Annapolis who saw this
need and made it possible for US to get
the money could be found" said he.
"Our State is fortunate and | wish to
lay my very humble debt of gratitude
at Senator Smiths feet"
DR.. Herbert NJ. King, of LOOMS, N.
Y, head of similar institution. said
that the Maryland Sanatorium was the
best he had ever seen or heard of. This
was listened to intently. Then DR.. Full
ton, who had been praised by others of
the speakers, was called on and be-
slowed praise upon Senator Smith and
his helpers. Then. with benediction by
Rev. DR.. Arthur Chiffon Powell, the
ceremonies were closed
Lunch was served in the large dining
room of the institution, and ut its close
the visitors had over an hour to ex-
anime the buildings. The first thing to
be observed at the place is the happy.
healthy appearance of everyone in the
institution. The men look like prize
t,rrl.ta~o aud tho xntoFnan lilo hn~nV,.