The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-01-16
governor ANSWERS
With COUNTER
CHARGES
ACCUSES MEMBERS OF BOARD or
HEALTH OF pIcTATIoN IN AF-
FAIRS OF THAT BODY.
TROUBLE CAUSED BY
SELECTION OF GALLOWAY
Five Members Announce intention to
Resign on Account of Brewers Ac-
tivity In Behalf Of New Secretary
Denies He Bosses His Appointees-
Special to The Netos.

Special to The Neaos.
Jackson, Miss Jan. 16.-Counter
charges of dictation regarding the af-
fairs of the state board of health were
made last night, when Governor Brew
er commented upon the charges made
against him at meeting of the board
that he had injected politics into the
board by having the men whom he
had appointed elect certain man, DR..
Galloway, as secretary. The governor
denied that he had in any way acted
in the role of dictator. and said that
DR.. Bryan, president of the board, with
certain other members, had attempted
to secure the election of a man not
the. choice of the majority, appointees
of the chief executive, and intimated
they were "sore" at their defeat.
With reference to the statements
of five members that they intended
to resign the governor said he hoped
they would not do SO, but If they did
he would appoint strong men to fill
their places, stating that under the
law it was in the power Of the execu-
tive to fill vacancies by appointment,
even If the original appointments were
made by the State Medieal. Socistxzzzz<l
The decision Of the 1Ixo n1c|x
to resign, the charges that <nc
ernor was trying to 1Ictats .
eight men whom he had appointed.
and the fact that dissentions have
arisen in the board, created a great
deal of comment here yesterday.
Gov. Brewers Comment.
When Governor Brewer read the
| statement Of some of the members Of
the board referring to him, he COM
mented upon the affair as follows:
"The first thing l want to say about
this matter is that the board of health
has elected a very fine and splendid
doctor for secretary, who in my judg-
ment will render excellent and satis-
factory service. He has been my
} friend ever since have been in state
politics.
J
Der of the board of health, that he
should or should not vote for any
person for secretary, is absurd. I
/ agree with DR.. Bryan, president of the
board, that there has been a little
: politics in the state board of health,
and l think it was injected there by
I the five members appointed at the re-
r quest of the State Medical Society.
= Let's just state the facts and see
! If am not correct. When I was call
r ed upon to appoint eight men to the
2 state board of health I tried to give
the state eight as strong doctors as
the state of Mississippi afforded, and
several of the five men appointed by
the State Medical Society-in fact, I
think all five, know a majority of
: them-came to me and congratulated
+ me and the state upon the very Sc
r lections. The state board of health
t met to organize and Immediately DR..
r Bryan, one of the five society mem
l. bers, was unanimously elected presi-
! dent Of the board, and then another of
!. the five was placed in nomination for
:. secretary. Naturally these eight strong
l. doctors, composing the majority Of the
S board, didn't care Just to sit up and
l. have the whole affairs turned over
d to the minority % tley preessaad 4
r put DR.. smithhon ii hopIaAtion. rid
r five members made f'eht - <
y Smithson and were de{eaxe6 81 ~
e majority. After Dr. Smithson was
lr elected they questioned his authority,
a. and for some time refused to have
n the funds of the state board turned
over to him, and some diplomacy was
necessary before DIR. Smithson could
get complete control of the affairs oi
the board.
Later, when appointed Dr. Smith
s2son superintendent of the state in
& sane hospital, which would create q
4 Fasancy in the secretaryship, knew
g <1at some of these five members wonl{
(Continued ON Page Eiuhf