The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1912-05-14
HOT SHOT FOR THE
. HOSPITAL PROTESTERS
Or. Evans Addresses Morris
Plains Mass Meeting.

people held IN ST. Vlrgll1uS hall IueS-
day night for the purpose of protest.
ing against the establishment of the
county tuberculosis hospital on the
hill back of the aims house there
was a lively time when DIR. Britton
D. Evans and other physicians from
the state insane hospital told the peo-
pie their objections were without
grounds.
Rev. d. Hammond spoke on the
matter by request of citizens of Nor
ris Plains While speaking in praise
of the institutions already located in
that vicinity he submitted that it was
manifestly unfair to locate another in
stitution of the same character in
that immediate neighborhood. He
commended the establishment of
tuberculosis sanitarium but thought
it should be located in another part
of the county and not put upon Nor
ris Plains this additional burden.
The Rev. Felix O'Neil made an adj
dress but instead of keeping to the
question began an attack on the state
insane hospital and its officials, par
ticularly directing his remarks to Dr..
Evans. The latter appealed to Chair
man Robert A. Granniss, jr., rising
to point of order and asking If the
reverend father was discussing any
motion and if his remarks were perti-
nent to any issue involved in the call
for the meeting. Dr. Evans further
asked the chair if it was the pur-
pose or intention of the meeting to
indulge in personalities. Mr.. Grannis
ruled that Father O'Neil was out of
order and the latter, in state of ap-
parent confusion, sat down, discon-
tinuing his speech which up to that
time had but little in it concerning
the tuberculosis hospital but consisted
principally of an attack upon the
state hospital and DIR. Evans.
Doctor Evans in his opening addres
said in substance:-"This is an i'm
portant issue, one that does not af-
the state institution with which | am
officially connected. l only speak
from the standpoint of public char
ity, and in the promotion of the well
fare of the sick and especially in be-
half of the poor who are, or may be
afflicted with tuberculosis. 1t has
been deemed proper and wise tho to
my mind foolishly so, to attack and
hold responsible great state public
charity, known as the state hospital
at Morris Plains, as a detriment to
Morris Plains and their churches. The
establishment of the state hospital
made it possible for your churches to
come into existence, the officials and
employees of this great public insti-
tuition have practically been the back
bone of your support financially. This
state hospital came into existence be-
fore you did and why now attack this
public charity, because the churches
after being supported by this
hospital for quarter of century
or more, have grown into a position
where perhaps they can exist without
the financial assistance of this state
institution? Is this fair or just?
What does it signify to thinking
and christian public?"
DIR. Evans continued addressing
both the Roman Catholic priest,
Father O'Neil, and the Presbyterian
minister, Rev. DIR. Hammond. 81 say
to you gentlemen of the Protestant
and Roman Catholic faith, that it
i'll becomes you to say that this insti-
tuition, built for the sick of the state,
and provided for by the statutes of
the state is a detriment to you and
the community. What is your mis-
sion? Is It to push out of the COM
munity the sick, the afflicted, and
the poor? Do you want to attack a
class of people who, because of their
very affliction, are unable to raise
their voices or their hands in their
own defense? Have the principles of
public charity, Christian philanthropy,
and the teachings of the Great Master
been put aside for monetary reasons?
Have the churches forgotten the
teachings of Christ for the purpose
of protecting building sites?
'Have We all forgotten that the
state hospital was built in 1874
through the efforts of the brightest,
the ablest and the most noble citizens
of the state; among them the late u.
S. Senator Randolph, Judge Lathrop
and numerous others, broad minded
citizens and that their efforts were
in the cause of humanity? Those
people making the protest have come
into the community, knowing that
this great public charity existed. 1t
is far from the teachings of Jesus
Christ our Master, to attack such a
public charity. A reference to the
parable of the Good Samaritan as set
forth in the Gospel of st. Luke, will
make the attack upon the state hos
pital and the proposed tubercular hos
pital, look as if these people had
overlooked or forgotten the teachings
and principals of Christ which have
made Christianity the great force in
the worlds progress and in the evolu-
tion of everything that is good.
"You people of Morris Plains are
a mile and a half further away from
the proposed location of the tuber
cular hospital than am / and the peo-
pie of the state hospital. only
speak upon the broad principals that
should govern men in their action
and attitude toward their fellowmen.
You gentlemen make your protest
without being sustained by any scien-
tific authority; not one physician
present to support this protest, not
any sanitary authority to back up your
claims of danger. Simply agitation,
without logical basis; public excite
ment, without substantial cause, like
children running from a mouse.
IF this contemplated hospital was
a menace to my family's health,
might consistently take some excep-
tion to 1t, and even then it could only
be from purely selfish and illogical
standpoint. You, who have GO
ing around among your poor people,
with that hectic flush, the hacking
cough, the indiscriminate expectora-
tion, are in danger If their be no way
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