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| Cortland Hospital was located on North Main Street. |
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| Julia E. Hyatt. |
CORTLAND HOSPITAL.
Annual Report of the President for Year
Ending Sept. 30, 1897.
To the Cortland Hospital Association:
It is
scarcely necessary to add anything to the reports already presented for your
consideration, but there are certain features in them to which we would call
especial attention and to which we would give emphasis.
The secretary's
report shows that during the year seventeen patients have received gratuitous
care in the hospital, the only pay received coming through the agency of the
free bed, and the whole number of days of their stay was 564. Neither do these
figures fully represent the charity work of the hospital, as many who are
classed as pay patients, because they pay something, do not pay enough to cover
the cost of their care, and the deficiency should be credited to the charity
columns. Some of the most expensive cases have been those that paid little or
nothing at all.
Similar statements have appeared in every annual report showing that a
large amount of work is done every year in caring for the indigent sick, yet in
the face of these official reports and of the repeated declarations of the
managers upon other occasions there are those who persist in condemning the
hospital as unworthy of assistance because "no one is admitted who cannot
pay." How people can expect a reading public to believe such a statement
passes our comprehension, but unfortunately there are those who do not read for
themselves who have accepted this falsehood as truth much to the injury of the
hospital and themselves, for it has deterred them from availing themselves of
the benefits of the institution. Constant effort has been made to make it plain
to the public that, while patients able to pay for their care would be expected
to do so, the hospital was free to those without means and no one, however
destitute, would be refused admission if a proper subject for hospital
treatment.
A hospital
is not alone a sanitarium for the well-to-do, nor a charitable institution for
the poor, but a combination of both and until this is better understood both
rich and poor will through false ideas refuse to accept the ad vantages it
offers. It is but a few months that we were publicly arraigned and mercilessly
criticized because we were "turning the hospital into a sort of poorhouse" by ''admitting charity patients
who did not need medical treatment," and were "fit subjects for the
poorhouse." The rules of the hospital require that except in case of
accident or sudden illness patients must bring a certificate from some
physician and its officers would be the last to disregard a precaution so
necessary to its safety. The fact that some who were reported to be in an alarming
state of health died soon afterward is perhaps the best possible evidence that
can be offered that they were not "shamming and imposing upon the
hospital." If the institution, has not done all it was capable of doing
and as much as its founders hoped it would do, it is largely the fault of those
who have so assiduously misrepresented it and thereby created prejudice against
it. No slander concerning those connected with it whether as physician,
manager, patient or nurse has been too foul, no falsehood too inconsistent or
improbable not to be set in circulation by them and gain, at least professed,
credence from those who seize with avidity upon every rumor detrimental to the
hospital. It would seem as if those who have done nothing towards its
establishment and maintenance seek to justify to themselves and others their
want of public spirit and generosity by representing it as unworthy of support
or patronage.
While
the hospital has, in common with other charitable institutions, suffered from
the long-continued period of financial depression it has not, like some, been on
the verge of closing its doors for want of means. Our mortgage indebtedness does
not seem so formidable when we reflect that legacies secured to us will, when
paid, greatly reduce if not wholly liquidate the debt. Our bills for current
expenses have, however, been accumulating in spite of our efforts to prevent it.
Though the receipts for board show a gratifying increase, there is a notable
falling off in those for nurses' services. Last year there were three senior
nurses in the training school who were sent out in turn to private cases and
their earnings helped materially toward defraying expenses. Owing to the
changes which took place in the school last winter the succession of nurses was
interrupted and there has since been only one senior nurse whose services have
been needed in the hospital most of the time. Another year will see the regular
order restored.
Another
reason for the growing debt is found is the fact that, for the first year in
its existence, the hospital has had no aid from the county, but has borne the
entire burden of the charity cases, the only one coming by order of the county
superintendent of poor being so recently admitted that no pay has yet been
realized from the case.
We
trust that our institution will share in the prosperity that is evidently
returning to our long-distressed country and we hope soon to be relieved of
this incubus of debt and to be in a position to make some much-needed
improvements that have been awaiting a more favorable time.
A
cottage that could be used for a maternity ward and nurses' home is an almost imperative
necessity. There is a notch of land 20 by 30 feet originally intended as a site
for a barn. That would be an excellent location for it if we only had the means
to build it.
Another very desirable improvement would be a broad veranda on the south
side of the rear wing, which would afford seclusion to convalescents needing
outdoor air and exercise, and be a great convenience in removing patients to or
from carriage or ambulance.
We
have almost daily felt the pressing need of a telephone, but as that was something
we could possibly dispense with we have not ventured to incur the expense.
We
offer these suggestions hoping some generous hearts will be prompted to act
upon them and provide the men as for their "materialization."
It is
with pride and pleasure that we present the report of the medical and surgical
work of the year, a report which reflects credit on physicians and nurses and
shows results that compare favorably with those in other hospitals.
The surgical operations, among them four for
appendicitis, have been eminently successful, and such were amenable to
treatment have shown recovery or marked improvement. Of the five cases
resulting fatally, one was a death from paralysis and old age, one from a
complication of diseases of long-standing and three were hopeless when
admitted—one dying soon after from injuries received in a railroad accident and
in two other cases blood poisoning had set in previous to the operation.
We
have as yet failed to discover the standard by which an operation, performed as
affording the last but only a remote chance for life, becomes in one hospital a
"butchery" if unsuccessful, but a dispensation of Providence that was
inevitable in another.
The
small percentage of deaths during the year proves beyond question that "all
who enter here" do not die, as so many are fond of asserting, but a
considerable number do indeed escape with their lives.
In
closing this the sixth year of service as president of the board of managers, I
trust I shall be pardoned if I thus publicly express my sense of personal obligation
to those who have been my associates during that time who by their unflinching
devotion to the interests of the hospital and their intelligent, unselfish and
harmonious support of every measure intended to promote its welfare have upheld
my hands in the struggle to establish and maintain a hospital. Many changes
have occurred through the death or resignation of members, but none have
brought any change in the spirit that has ever animated those who were laboring
so earnestly in behalf of this necessary charity. Their sympathy, their
unquestioning faith and their united support have been highly valued
compensations for much that was perplexing and trying and will ever remain as
precious memories.
President,
Board of Managers.
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| Wieting Opera House, Syracuse, N. Y. |
Syracuse
Gaily Celebrates.
SYRACUSE, Oct. 15.—The public celebration in
honor of the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Syracuse as a city was
continued last night with tableaux at the Wieting Opera House, a historical building
recently restored for the fourth time. The scenes represented were from American
history. Colonel W. D. H. Washington of New York, the man holding nearest blood
relationship to the first president of the United States, being a great-grand-nephew,
represented his famous ancestor in two tableaux, called upon for a speech and
responded gracefully.
Maher
Challenges the World.
PITTSBURG, Oct. 15—M. J. Connelly, on behalf
of Peter Maher, has issued a challenge to James J. Corbett to fight for the heavyweight
championship of the world and a side bet or $5,000, to take place before the
club offering the largest purse. Connelly will meet Corbett at any time at the
office of The Police Gazette to arrange details.
If Corbett does not accept the challenge it
is open to any man in the world.
Soldiers
Going to Cuba.
MADRID. Oct. 15.—Reinforcements of Spanish
troops for Cuba are being hurried forward by the military authorities. About 6,000
additional soldiers will leave Spain for that island before the end of the
present month.
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| Capt. Gen. Ramon Blanco. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
General
Blanco.
Judging from the character and career of
General Blanco, the new captain-general of Cuba, he will not be much of an improvement
on General Weyler. His military service has been long and somewhat distinguished.
For the work he did in the suppression of the Carlist uprising, he was made a
marquis. From early in 1879 until October, 1881, he was captain-general of Cuba.
What he did during the brief insurrection that broke out during his
administration compares favorably with some of Weyler's achievements. By his
command, 1,500 persons were put to death without trial. Another act set down
against him is his repudiation of the agreement that his subordinate, General
Yarela, made with General Calixto Garcia, the Cuban leader. It had been
stipulated that if Garcia would surrender, he and his followers would not be
molested. But they were seized, Garcia and his officers were thrown into jail,
and Garcia himself was afterwards sent to Spain. Later he was pardoned. But the
patriots, believing that the pardon was a reward for his surrender, held him in
detestation.
On the return of Blanco to Spain he became captain-general
of Catalonia. In 1894 he was made captain-general of the Philippine Islands.
But he managed affairs so badly that he was recalled, and offered a position in
the queen's military chamber. But his pride, which is said to be inordinate, led
him to reject the offer. He then devoted himself to a defense of his
administration in the Philippines, which had been declared to exhibit
incompetency and a childish confidence in the patriotism of the natives. In his
defense, he said that he had decreed the
transportation of over a thousand suspects and had later approved
the death sentences passed upon many other persons, thus showing that his heart
was not as tender as it had been represented to be.
Still he endeavored to prove that he was not
a Peter the Cruel. "There were persons in Manila," he says, "who
wished me to have men shot, whether innocent or not, and this I could not do.
For such persons, energy consists in the wholesale shooting of suspects, but in
my opinion it should be all the contrary. At a moment when passion reigns,"
he adds, recalling, probably, his own experience in Cuba, "the easy thing
is to kill; the difficulty lies in not killing." Should he abide by this
sentiment upon his arrival in Cuba, he will be an improvement upon Weyler. But
it is noticeable that he announces that he "will act with great energy
against the insurgents," and "establish peace by the system which he
adopted in 1879."
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| Grace Episcopal Church, Cortland, N. Y. |
A
SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
Anniversary
Sermon to be Preached at Grace Church Sunday.
Yesterday was the fiftieth anniversary of
the incorporation of the parish of Grace Episcopal church, the
articles of incorporation having been filed in the county clerk's office on
Oct. 14, 1847. The sermon of the rector, Rev. Amos Watkins, Sunday morning,
will be in the nature of a review of the history of the church. At the time of
the incorporation of the parish, services were held in the Universalist church,
and the first church of the society was erected ten years later.
Red
Men's Meeting.
At a regular stated council fire of the Red
Men [of Cortland] last night Brother John W. Mullen of Dryden was advanced to the
rank of a hunter and Brother Cornelius Hayes was raised to the rank of a
warrior. Brother John W. Mullen of Dryden was also raised to the rank of a
warrior. All brothers present were
informed that the haymakers' charter will be closed on Monday night, Oct. 25.
All brothers wishing to join Victor Loft, No. 357 1/2, as charter members, will
please be present on the above date.
LOCAL
PERSONAL.
MISS BESSIE WHITING of Syracuse is visiting
at her home, 33 Arthur-ave.
MRS. M. S. ElLHAUR returned last night from
New York where she has been spending several days with a sister, who is ill.
MISS FLORENCE M. DRAKE of the State Normal
school at Cortland and brother Howard of Cortland were home Sunday.—Moravia
Republican.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN GRANT of Troy, Pa., who
have been spending a couple of days with friends in town, return home to-morrow
morning.
MR. W. J. ANDREWS of San Francisco, Cal.,
who is the representative of the Cortland Wagon company for the territory west
of the Rocky mountains, is spending a few days in town before going to New York
next week to attend
the
National Carriage Dealers' convention. He is registered at The Kremlin.
Mr. ALBERT ALLEN expects to leave Monday for
St. Louis, where he will stop for several days before returning to Sunnyside,
Ark., where he is superintendent of the large colony established by the late
Austin Corbin, which place he had to leave a few weeks ago on account of the
proximity of yellow fever. The reports are that the fever is abating in the vicinity.
EXCURSION TO SOLON
OVER THE
E. & C. N. Y. R. R. TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
A Big
Clambake to be Held—First Excursion Over the First Eight Miles of the New
Railroad—Three Round Trips to be Made—Music, Speeches, etc.
The formal opening of the first eight miles
of the E. & C. N. Y. railway will occur on Tuesday afternoon, when an
excursion will be run between Cortland and Solon. The laying of track will be
completed as far as the Solon station today, and it is proposed to make the event
of Tuesday a signal one in the history of the road. Three round trips will be
made from Cortland in the afternoon, leaving the Lehigh Valley station at the following
hours: 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30. On the return trips, the train will leave Solon at
1:30, 3:30, and 5 o'clock. Stops will be made each way at McGrawville. The fare
for the round trip will be 35 cents from Cortland, and 20 cents from
McGrawville.
At Solon an old-fashioned clambake will be
held in the grove surrounding the station, and this will be in charge of George
Stevens. The clams will be ready to serve at 1:30 o'clock. It will be a gala
day for Solon. Everybody is invited to participate in the festivities of the occasion.
There will be music and speech-making, and everybody from all the surrounding
country is invited to be present and help celebrate the event.
Should bad weather prevent, the excursion will
take place on Thursday at the same hours.
BREVITIES.
—The Kindergarten dancing class meet
to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in Empire hall.
—New display advertisements to-day are—T. P.
Bristol, Fancy Shirts, page 8; Opera House, "Iskander," page 5;
—Mr. L. D. Tyler of Cazenovia seminary will
occupy the pulpit at the
Homer-ave.
M. E. church Sunday evening.
—Rev. Adelbert Chapman has returned from
Attica and will occupy the pulpit of the First Baptist church on Sunday as usual.
—The STANDARD is indebted to Factory Inspector
Daniel O'Leary for a copy of the eleventh annual report of the factory
inspector of the state of New York.
—Miss Atkinson of Cortland will open a
dancing school at Choral hall, Monday evening at 8:30 o'clock. The school will be
for beginners and will continue six lessons.—Moravia Republican.
—Mr. H. R. Burroughs of 10 Blodgett-st. has
received notification that a ten-pound grandson is waiting at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. William W. Burnham at Wells, N. Y., to receive a call from his grandparents.
—The Grace church supper at the home of Mr.
A. V. D. Mills last night was well patronized and the supper was such an one as
the Grace church ladies always furnish—excellent in the highest degree. The net
receipts were $21.
—David McMillan, while playing football at
school at about 1:20 o'clock
Thursday
afternoon, fell and struck on the back of his head, injuring himself quite
badly. Two of his friends, Delano Bennett and Francis LaFever, helped him home.
—Mr. A. D. Wallace, whose left arm was
injured in the D., L. & W. wreck at Blodgett
Mills six weeks ago to-day, has been suffering considerably the past few days,
as the arm has begun to swell again, and the physicians think perhaps an
abscess is forming at the elbow.
—The celebrated Seidl orchestra appears at
the Lyceum theatre in Ithaca to-morrow evening and at a matinee in the
afternoon. The matinee begins at 1:30
o'clock, which will give ample opportunity for Cortland people who desire to
attend to do so by leaving on the 1:40 train, reaching Ithaca at 2:16.
—The act of registration requires only a few
minutes of a voter's time and no time can be employed to better advantage. It
is a small payment asked in return for the privilege of citizenship and no
citizen can afford to repudiate his just debt by not registering and voting,
Voters should not lose sight of the fact that they will have opportunities of
adding their names to the registration lists on to-day and to-morrow. There
will be no more opportunities after these.
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