The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-18
MASON INTIMATES
HE EXPECTS DEFEAT
IN THE FIGHT TO BE
MADE ON SANDERS
CONTINUED from Page, Five)

lors, has nominated the men to fill the
vacancies.
THE college at the last revision of the
roll, consisted of 139 members. 80 life
counsellors.' so-called because they have
been members of the college for 20 years,
and 100 so-called active members
THE councillors, both life and active
vote on all matters coming before the
association, and are the only members
of the association who can hold any Of
flee in the association, or who can serve
on any permanent committee of the as
ISOLATION.
Important to Everyone
"As above remarked, If this matter were
confined to the medical society, no one
outside the medical profession would feel
any special interest in it, but when it is
recalled that this means that no one
outside this body of counsellors can serve
as an officer of the state board OF
health, 1t becomes matter of Importance
to every one in the state. You will be
told, no doubt, that the college of coun-
sellers cannot control the association, be-
cause every county society Is represented
by two delegates, and that If the dele
gates come and do their duty, they can
control the organization.
This sounds reasonable, but there are
139 counsellors and the number is con-
stantly increasing, while the full strength
of the delegates is only 1874, and last year
II counties sent no delegates at all.
ut is usual, In deliberative bodies, for
the work Of the body to be carried on
through investigations and reports of diff
ferent standing committees, and for these
committees to be composed of the dele
gates who make up the convention.
mot SO in the State Medical associa-
ton. We have one committee or 10 men,
bers, the board of censors. all counsellors
to which is referred every matter of bust
ness coming before the association, ex-
cept nominations to vacancies on the col
lege of counsellors. This nominating
committee is appointed each year by the
president, but it's membership has been
composed. up to the present time, entirely
of councillors. Our Red Book which
contains the laws governing the associa-
ton, says:
Delegates may be appointed as men,
bers Of committees, with the exception of
the nominating committee, whose reports
are to be submitted during the session
upon which they are in attendance.
Single Function of Delegates
This looks all right, but since all mat
tiers touching the welfare of the associa-
ton must be referred to the board Of
censors, consisting entirely of counsellors,
there are no committees for delegates to
art on They are barred from entering into
a consideration of any of the business
OF the association when matters are dis
cussed and policies determined, in COM
mittees, and the only function they can
really perform Is to remain over until the
last day of the meeting and vote in the
election or officers, and for or against
the different sections of the report of the
board of oensors, which is the only COM
mittee that has considered any of the
business of the association. This board of
censors-all consciousness absolutely
independently. They cannot be instruct
ed by the county societies to which they
belong they represent no one but them
selves. They outline and control the
whole work of the society, while the dele
gate from the county society. who is sup
posed to represent the membership of
his society and to take his place in the
deliberations of the meeting, can find no
part in the work of the association ex-
cept to be button-holed by candidates
and their friends in the scramble for Of
fee, and possibly to serve on a commit
tee appointed by the outgoing president to
conduct the newly elected president to
tn chair. A delegate cannot even take up
ballot or act as a teller to count the
votes in election. When this view of
the delegates duties and responsibilities
is taken. and it Is known that none of the
honors, offices or emoluments of the as
ISOLATION are to be his, 1t is not surpris-
ing that many of them leave the associa-
atlOH ana go BACK 10 their paUentS be-
fore the end of the fourth day of the
meeting, when voting takes place The
counsellor is required by law to attend
one meeting at least every three years
or forfeit his membership. All the Of
fees, honors and emoluments are his,
hence a large representation from the
college is always on hand on the fourth
DAY of the meeting, when the voting on
the business matters of the association
and the election of officers takes place.
so much pressure has been brought to
bear on the association concerning the
restrictions placed on the delegates, and
concerning the manifest unfairness In the
selection of counsellors, that the associa-
ton passed law at its last session al
lowing delegates from each congressional
district to caucus with the counsellors
from each district in nominating men to
fill vacancies in the college of counsellors
This has not yet been tried out, but goes
into effect at this meeting.
College of C0unsellors
us the college of counsellors necessary
for the work of the association?
mot in any way that I can see.
"The most partisan defender of our
orga nization will, ! think encounter
great difficulty in convincing any dis
interested individual that the $500 ply
sicians of the state need to have their
affairs managed and controlled by a
board of directors elected for life. or
that the public health affairs of the
state, should be so administered. 1t is
of course impractical for every mem
Der Of the association to take part in