The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-07
Voice Of the People
The Memorial Hospital.

ae NemOTial Hospital.
10 the Editor of The Times. Dispatcb.
Sir.-1n editorials of vour Issues q,
July and you raise the single OH
lection to the conveyance OF the Ma
mortal Hospital to the city that tho
charlotte Williams Hospital reserves
the right to appoint five members OF
inc board of control and management
WHO hereafter fill all vacancies oc-
curing In their number. You saw that
this Is ownership by the city without
control. a principle of administration
winch you have observed to BIO very
objectionable In Its operation in cor.
tain institutions in South Carolina.
we do not believe a very close
parallel can be drawn between the
luiiiihistration of charity hospital
ana other public institutions of a Diff
terent- character. Be that as it may.
IL is certainly true that every perma.
nent work of charity should he ion.
Tree from the possibility of appoint
ments on its staff and force made for
political reasons. or made at the in
stance of political party, who can.
pointees.
The only purpose in STIMULATING TINT
the first five members should he an
pointed by the Charlotte Williams Hos
Pltal' and that they thereafter should
MI vacancies among themselves. was
10 Keep the hospital out of politics
AFTER tho appointment of the FIRST Ave
inenoers the Charlotte Williams Hos
pital no longer has any control or
supervision over the institution Eacb
Oh these i've members is to be n cit
zen or Richmond and when selected
IL IS believed they will give universal
satisfaction, and that their names ard
character Will be the best assuranc.
mat the hospital will DO conducted In
the interest of the city OF Richmond.
and for the relief of its sick and suf
fering. Moreover, the memberships IN
the board of control and management
OF the Mayor OF the city of Richmond
ana the chairman OF the Finance Com.
mittee gives the city every possible
means of Information and Supervision
OF the administration. Finally. the
control of appropriations for the hos
pitai gives the city such control of
its administration as to fully protect
It's interests in every respect.
me board OF trustees OF the Char
lotte Williams Hospital are far from
oeslring to put any burdens upon tho
GIT but do deem II proper, in con-
junction with the. city representatives.
10 make such provisions in the con-
veyance as will insure that the man
ngement of tho hospital will not be
changed with each change of city ad-
ininistration. ana that It will be con-
Quoted as great charity.
The conditions upon which the
Branch baths We're presented to tho
CITY were that Mr. Branch should name
all FIVE OF the commissioners WIN
should have the control and manage
ment of the baths, and that they
should be selfperpetuating BODY.
ana that the baths should be main
taincd by tho city at sum not OK
ceeding $4,000 per annum.
If you, Mir. Editor. had been a resi-.
dent Of Firg MIA ut the time cf the
Malone regime 1T is believed that YOU
would recognize that such an institu.
non would DO In much greater dan
ger from political changes than the
city of Richmond could possibly te
from its not naming a majority OF the
members Of the board Of control and
management Every institution in the
state from the University of virginia
down, was at that time in great an
compelled to resort to the courts 10
protect Itself from political appoint
ments to it's hoard of trustees con-
trary to its rights
We fepeat that the only reason for
the control and mana cement Of the
hospital by n board constituted In tho
manner indicated is to keep the hos
p'tal out of politics, and this seems
TO be the best way to accomplish THIS
result. If the same result can be &C.
complished In any other way we viii
he glad to consider any plan suggest
ca Yours very truly.
f. l. BEMISS.
EPPA HUNTON, JR..
OF Trustees of Charlotte wllioms
Hospital
Richmond July 6