The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-03
representative WOMEN
ENDORSE HOSPITALS
by Rising Vote Pledge Unanimous
support OF Movement For
Greater Memorial.
DIR, STUART MCGUIRE SPEAKS
Tells of Experience OF WcIl-to-Do
Negroes Seeking Surgical Aid Be-
coming Appalled, at Idea of Sur
rountiinxs-Dr. Johnston Speaks.

yS1N~'N~NS
when a meeting was held for the pur-
pose of explaining the plans and pur-
poses of the $250,o00 Embarrassing
campaign for Memorial Hospital. 1t
was an enthusiastic meeting, and the
three hundred ladies present unani-
mously. by rising vote. pledged them
selves to support in every way the
campaign now being conducted.
John Stewart Bryan presided at the
meeting. and in his preliminary re-
marks pointed out tho need OF suoh
new buildings as are contemplated by
Memorial Hospital The city can no
longer DO without them, he declared.
and emphasized the point that It was
the city ~ . whole rather than a Inn
tied few who would profit By the or &C.
ton Of tho negro hospital and tho con-
tAs1ous disease building. Mr.. Bryan
first Introduced DR.. Stuart MCGUIRE.
and. following DR.. Mcclure. DIR.
George Ben Johnston delivered an
address.
In his address DR.. MCGUIRE told OF
numerous instances out OF his own ex-
pcriencs whers negroes had come to
him for surgical treatment, and had
been prepared to pay well for his ser
Woes They were self-respecting ne
groes. who lived comfortably in their
own homes. Yet when they sought
hospital Aocommo dations, open to peo-
pie of their race In Richmond. they
wore appalled, ut tho surroundings in
which they must spend their time
while fecuperating from the opera
ton. Some even had the operations
performed in their own homes rather
than enter the wards in the hospitals
WhAym vACetVad
Mcclure told of the necessity for re-
fusng TO treat a number of negroes
whom he would have been glad 10
have cared for out OF consideration
for themselves or for their employers
simply because OF the lack of hos
pital facilities here. He declared that
there was a sentimental reason. IN
addition TO the business reasons, for
erecting the new hospitals. The peo-
pie of the South. he declared. should
assist and care for the negro, and the
responsibility Is one which. no one
seeks 10 shrk. 1t Is merely lost sight
OF at times because Of lack OF infor
nation as 10 true conditions. In con-
sl:son Or, Mcclure pointed to the
real danger TO the community fror"
.rvpcr treatment OF the ne
g:oos. He declared that the danger
a.. infection from diseased servants
l.ae very great so widespread. IN fact,
.',-@t II he told the real facts TO his
-fin0~e they would possibly not be-
Howe him. He forecasted the time
when IL would he possible TO ask all
negro servants II they had medical
r.,tics> from the authorities OF
Memorial Hospital who would be In
roei.ion, through the new negro hos
t&'a'. Il. cXs mine all negroes seeking
positions and treat those afflicted
" IN infectious. diseases.
~. George l,c,, Johnston Speaks,
nr George Ben Johnston spoke In
detail OF the hlstor-+ of the Memorial
Hospital. ;el,lnE Of its worthy career.
. 'N ,a5rtlar out the fact that 1t con-
ficted in no way with any other hos
pual in the city. He paid a high
tribute Ia the Shcltering Arms and
80 ~ a. >Foe he Sscx and to the var-
gus private hospitals OF the city but
declared that Memorial Hospital oc-
copied n unique position in that It
wa ~ only place SO maintained that
II could care for negroes on on ex-
-tensi|e Scale. and Il was tha only hos
pi:al that contem plated or cared 10
contemplate department for the
treatment Of conta gious diseases. DR..
Johnston spoke in detail OF the need
of the contagious hospital. telling Of
Instances out OF his own recollection.
where friends and acauaintances Of
his own were forced 10 suffer all kinds
of humiliation. discomfort and embar
rassment because of their being over
taken with contagious diseases and
having no proper place TO 60 for
treatment In this city. He pointed out
that the danger OF embarrassing ant was
not alone from the possibility OF mem
bers OF ones own family becoming 80
afflicted, but the danger was equally
great that n servant, through careless
ness night become infected and be
q menace to the whole household
when under treatment In the house
hold. The servants would have to be
kept in the home because no place
else in Richmond was open for such
cases. excepting in cases of smallpox
Mrs. Henry Baskerville. chairman
OF the committee arranging for the
meeting, read the following resolu-
tons which were unanimously
adopted:
Text of Resolutions Adopted.
Whereas, the Memorial Hospital
has launched campaign to raise the
sum of s250.000 TO improve its plant
by the erection OF a negro hospital,
a contagious disease building, rebuild
ing the Nurses Home. any surplus over
cost of same to create an endowment
so that the cost to patients in the
negro hospital may he reduced to a
price within the reach g the negroes;
and
Whereas we k1C-.. necessity, eS-
pecially for the negro hospital and
the contagious disease building. for
both OF which great need exists in
this city, our present facilities for
negro patients being limited to the
easements o. our general hospitals,
and no contagious disease building eX-
ing other than the city pest house;
~Nforn he Il
Resolved. That we. a gathering of
ladies assembled for the furtherance
of this work, do hereby endorse and
call on the public to carry this ca m
paign to a triumphant success; and in
order to give this movement the eff
fectiveness that springs from personal
interest and intimate knowledge. we
heartily agree to fully inform both
ourselves and the citizens of Rich
mond as to the urgent need Of this
great undertaking.