Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-29
PHYSICIANS ELECT
WHITE PRESIDENT
Politics in Medical Society of
Virginia Causes Defeat Of
DR.. Darlington.
NOMINATION is DISREGARDED
Executive Council Committees
Choice Beaten on Floor
of Convention.
NOMINATION is DISREGARDED

Bringing to Il close the most scnsa-
tional political fight ever wagcd by
opposing factions in the Medical So
riety of Virginia. Dr. Joseph a. White.
OF this city. nominated on the floor in
opposition TO DR. Charles V. Caring
ton. also Of Richmond, who was recon-
mcndcd to the society by the nominat-
ing committee OF the executive council.
was yesterday afternoon elected prcsi-
dent OF the society by "a majority Of
more than two to one The vote stood
2G3 for White and iOG for CARING
ton.
The bitter contest between the two
Richmond physicians for the highest
honor within the gift OF the Medical
Societ" OF Virginia was altogether
unique in the annals OF the society.
During the number Of years in which
tho responsibility of selecting the So
cicty's president has rested with it's
representatives in the executive coun-
Gil the choice OF that committee has
never failed Of ratification hy the gen
cral body. It's recommendation has
heretofore carried such weight as to
make II equivalent to an election.
Nearly 400 physicians. augmented by
many women and uonmcinbcrs of the
society, packed the auditorium of the
Jefferson Hotel when the hour arrived
for action on the annual rccommenda-
tions of the executive council. For
hours tho political storm had been
brewing. and tense quetncss pre-
vailed while Or. Thomas W. Murrell
read out other recommendations pre-
pnrltory to announcing the choice OF
the nominating committee for officers
OF the society during the ensuing year
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
WIN tn" announcement that br Car
IiUetou WAS recommended TO the So
ci"tT for election 10 the presidency. DR.
Frank w. Hancock. OF Norfolk arose
at one" and after asserting the right
OF the society under the constitution
TO elect whomsocvcr II pleased as Of
fcers, despite The recommendation of
the committee on nominations placed
the name Of or. White be fore tho house
The nomination was warmly seconded
by Dr. J. " Burke. ot Petersburg.
Dr. j. shelton IIorsley. of Richmond.
then took the ,loor and in an i;npas-
stoned speech dcpiorcd tho sharp po-
litical division among the members of
tho soci"ty. Gentlemen" he said,
this is a serious situation. The com
mittcc OF the executive council com
posed OF your representatives,, charged
with the duty Of submitting to you
nominations for the various offices in
the society has DISCHARGED that duty
honestly and fearlcssly, and if YOU re-
tcct it's nominations you viii, in effect
reprimand it for its action and register
your votes for the abolition Of the
executive council.
Politics. once the indoor sport of
the Medical Society Of Virginia hasn't
played a part in its proceedings for ter,
years. and ii YOU inject il now. you
might as well call OF the scientific pro-
gram y rcvcrsion 10 conditions exist
ing before the creation of this commit
tee 10 handle the nominations for office
would be most dcplornblc. and | sin
cerely hope you will pursue the only
right course and support the com
mittce's nominee
NEWTON AND UPSHuR
EMPRESS THEIR VIEWS
DIR. Mcclure Newton. a member OF
the executive council. followed DR..
Iorslcy. II want TO eXplain the un-
usual situation" he said that de-
veloped in the council. Contrary. per-
haps. to the general belief, this game
of politics was injected long before
the sessions OF this society began in
IkicHHlOHu. loufu a systematic cam
paign by mail and otherwise had been
in progress for months. and. desirous
that politics should have no place here.
and knowing the eminent qualifications
that DR.. White possesses for the posi-
tion. Iarcfuscd TO concur in the nom
inationaof DR.. Carrington."
DR.. John y. Upshur. expressing great
friendship for both the rival candidates,
deplored the situation that had arisen,
ana pleaded for support of the councils
recommendation in recognition OF the
principles OF fair play and orderly pro-
cedure, for which. he said the society
has stood since it's inception. Don't
squeal." he said. because another man
is better politician than you are.
and beware of spccious argument"
Prompted by the bitterness injected
into the election OF president DR.. j.
Allison Hodges introduced the follow
ing resolution, to be acted upon by the
executive council: "Resolved, that sec
tion 4. of article G. OF the constitution.
be so amended that no member of the
society. living in the place in which
the society is holding it's session. shall
be cligibl" to election to the Office of
president for Il succeeding year"
NO OPPOSITION no
OTHER NOMINATIONS
other nominations of the committee
acted upon without opposition were:
DIR. NJ. j. Payne. of S;taunton, first vice.
president; DIR. IL. Il. Field OF Norfolk
second vice-president; DR.. r. NJ. Wiley.
OF Salem. third presidents: DR.
paulus y. Irving. of Farmville. secrc
tary, and DIR. Mark w. Peyser, OF Rich
mond, treasurer. Drs. G. r. CRANKY
w. ID. Turner and y. l.. Gray were
elected chairmen of the Judiciary, mem
bership and legislative committees re-