USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > A documentary history of recent dissensions in the District Medical Society of the County of Hudson, N.J. > Part 4
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The second violation is one of vital importance to the whole question, and nullifies all your previous action in this matter of reconsideration, for the reason that the evidence on which the Society aeted when the vote of expul- sion was taken, was not produced in accordance with the motion of Dr. Culver. I will cite here Cushing's Law and Practice of Legislative Assem- blies, page 50S, paragraph 1274, which is as follows : " The further effeet of this principle is, that, though a motion for reconsideration may be made and discussed, in the absence of the paper to which it relates, vet if decided in the affirmative, it will be wholly ineffectual and inoperative until the paper in question is in the possession of the house.")
Dr. Morris remarked upon the minutes, and moved that they be corrected to read, " The motion of Dr. Forman, that ' the twelve expelled members be reinstated,' was acted upon and passed." Seconded by Dr. Voudy.
The Chair declared this motion out of order.
Dr. Morris appealed from the ruling of the Chair, and the appeal was also declared out of order.
Dr. Morris moved that the minutes be amended to record the passage of the Forman motion. Seconded.
Remarks by Dr. Culver. He states that the Forman motion did not pass at the last meeting. The Doctor was called to order in the course of his re- marks by Dr. Morris, for personalities, having referred to members present as "conspirators." Dr. Culver continued his remarks, reviewing the action of the Society at its last meeting, and branding it as " infamous." + +
He was called to order by Dr. Carpenter, the point of order being that that the Doctor was speaking foreign to the subject under consideration, i. e., correction of minutes.
The Chair ruled Dr. Culver " in order," and Dr. Morris appealed from the decision of the chair. No notice was taken of the appeal. When Dr. Culver had finished his remarks, Dr. Morris requested to have noted his ex- ception to the neglect of the President in disregarding his appeal.
Mr. President :
The last regular meeting of this Society was rendered infamous by the condnet of some of its members. Pardon my indignation, Mr. President, that an inviting opportunity to harmonize all the conflicting views and inter- ests which divide into cliques the medical men of this County, should have been scorned and thrown away, increly to gratify a personal spite or indivi-
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dual ambition. Prior to that meeting couriers scoured the district, freighted with prejudice and misinformation. To accomplish a preconcerted plot mem- bers were brought out who were strangers to our meetings-members who have never assisted us in any laudable undertaking, eame to take a hand in the disintegration of the Society. No one will dispute their right to meet with us-it is to be hoped that we may meet often, until acquaintance even- tuates in harmony of purpose.
The object of a meeting so unusual was kept a profound secret among themselves ; and other members of the Society were uninformed of the treach- ery and the foe in ambush.
We now know that there was a conspiracy and that the meeting was paeked in the interest of a faction, so meagre at first as to consist of but three or four persons. The scheme was comprehensive. They were to rule or ruin our Society. They were to dictate who might oceupy hospital and other pub- lic appointments. Already they have aspired to Hunt us from the St. Francis' Hospital. and make us perform a Morris-dance down the front steps. It was the inimitable Vondy, who, with sullen drawl and whine, snarled out at our last Society meeting his memorable pronunciamento, " We're a goin' to run this Society now, and teach you fellers some decency." May he comprehend what I am saying, and take a just pride in his pupils. (Confusion and eries of "order.") Some years this gentleman has attended one or two meetings of the Society ; other years not one. In times past (" order," " order," etc.) he took no interest in our affairs. (" Order.")
Mr. President, pardon my digression from the January meeting. Not one of the conspiring members participated in the Scientific Session, and their first unseemly aet was to terminate it prematurely. Finding that they had a majority of one present their leaders became factious, exeited and headlong in their movements. They indulged in remarks that were impolite, untruthful and criminating-in discourteous personalities and great provocations. One of the leaders was up and down incessantly, ever defying the authority of the President, imputing false motives, and gratuitously and grossly insulting him. Motions and resolutions were offered helter-skelter- one would crowd out and defeat another-without regard for evidence, or law, or parliamentary usage, and even in contravention of them.
During the tumult and confusion which existed at one time many mem- bers left the meeting in disgust, without the requisite permission from the President. This gave the conspirators a clear majority. Judged by the busi- ness subsequently transaeted, the partizan proceedings seem to us merely ma- licious, disorganizing, destructive-otherwise purposeless. They sought to overturn the safeguards of the By-Laws, the Constitution and the Code of Ethies, and to plunge the Society headlong into criminality, extravaganee and debt. They endeavored, in their delirium, to return to the Society, on a sheer subterfuge-a pretended reconsideration-a trumped-up technicality- oblivious of law and good morals-certain expelled members, who. to this day, remain unpurged of their crimes, and whose expulsion, once elamored for by them, is even now admitted by these parvenue abettors, to have been justly de- served.
I am told that the recent edition of the " Constitution, etc.," is ordered to be destroyed and a new one printed.
We submit, Mr. President, that such irregular and factious proceedings do not tend to make the sessions of a Medical Society available for the diffu- sion of valuable knowledge; nor do they promote harmony among medical men ; neither do they redound to the honor of our District Society, and main- tain high the standard of professional character. On the contrary, they bar out information ; they excite mischievous antagonismus among members ; and they lead on, step by step, to the faithless disavowal of those ethical obliga- tions to which we have individually subscribed our names.
Therefore, Mr. President, let no record of our last meeting deface the
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minute-book. Let the memory of those unfriendly tricks pass quickly into oblivion, never henceforth to point a satirical allusion and mantle our cheeks with shame. I protest against the hostile and nnparliamentary acts and ma- nœuvrings of that meeting, and I protest against the preservation of any memento of the infamy.)
After two unsuccessful efforts to adjourn, it was moved by Dr. Watson that, " the minutes be approved as far as re-read." The ayes and nays being taken upon the motion, it was lost. Aves-Chabert and Payn-Two. Nays -Varick,* Culver, Vondy, Reeve, Lutkins, Morris, Buffet, Craig, Watson, Talson, Miller, Benson, Hardenburg, Wolfe, Case, Viers, Prendergast, Gil- man, Avery, Abernethy, Mitchell, Morgan, McGill, McLoughlin, Paul, Me- Bride, Eddy and Carpenter-Twenty-eight.
Dr. Morris moved to amend the minutes so that they shall record the pas- sage of the Forman motion. Declared " out of order."
Dr. Morris appealed from the decision of the Chair. The appeal was also declared out of order.
Dr. Morris moved to adjourn. Seconded. The ayes and nays being called for, they were taken as follows: Ayes-Varick, Culver, Vondy, Reeve. Lutkins, Morris, Buffett, Payn, Craig, Watson, Talson, Miller, Selnow, Case, Prendergast, Avery, Mitchell, Morgan, McGill, Paul, McBride, Carpenter- Twenty-two. Nays-Wolfe, Viers, Gilman, Abernethy, McLoughlin, Eddy -Six. Adjourned.
NOTE-Dr. Mitchell, Secretary, had, at the February 4th meeting, espoused the cause of Drs. Hunt, Morris & Co., though. at a later date, he declared publicly that all his sympathies were with the " other party." The above minutes falsify his profession, however, for they are false in important particulars, apparently in the interest of the insurrectionary party. His minutes were written out by himself, and afterwards important modifications were made by means of eras- ures and pasters. The pasters cover what had first been written ; some of them are left blank, some are written over. Words written over pasters and interlineations are in italics. Erasures are marked + +-Pasters, P.
Dr. Mitchell did not call the roll of members as it stands on the minute-book, in accord- ance with Dr. Morris's ambiguous motion-but he called the names of those who had been ex- pelled, three of whom were present.
Dr. Morris strove hard to supplement the minutes with figments of no earthly importance, but failed. The attacking column was bewildered. The correct minutes of the previous meet ing were not adopted. The loyal party did not wish them to be recorded at all ; the disloval party did not wish them to be recorded until they could first manipulate them Both agreed to ad- journ, and both laughed heartily at Dr. Morris, wlio rose and sat down so often during the ses. sion, as waggishly to suggest a play of Jack-in-the-box, or the nips of a Tarantula. The champions of the developing plot left in irate dudgeon.
During the month of January Dr. Culver had worked for reconciliation. Dr. Buck had pro- mised Dr. Culver to advocate it at the February meeting. D1. Tallson was furnished by Dr. Culver with a schedule, proposing a commission, to consist of one representative of each faction, to arrange a basis of settlement, to which every medical gentleman in the County could honora - bly subscribe, agreeing to let by-gones be by-gones, and ever in future to act in good faith for the promotion of harmony, and the perpetuation of the District Medical Society.
Dr. Buck was absent from the meeting. Dr. Tallson could find no opportunity to propose the peace, so stormy and bellicose was the session.
The following is the schedule above alluded to :
PROSPECTUS.
Shall we dishonor the constitution and code of ethics to which we have all subscribed ? Shall we disorganize the District Medical Society of the County of Hudson, N. J. ? Shall we appeal to the State Society ?
or,
Shall we seek to harmonize the several cliques into which the society and other medical practitioners residing within this county are now divided?
Cannot a Board of Arbitration, composed of one representative from each faction, be formed, that shall consider this whole matter, and determine upon a written agreement of indi- vidual responsibility to the ethical provisions of the code and constitution, which cannot be disavowed without annulling membership, and which shall be accompanied with the provision that no member shall hereafter ever allude in our meetings to past differences-all parties qual- ified being admitted to membership who will sign the agreement ?
* Varick voted nay.
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CAPTURE OF THE DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HUDSON COUNTY DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY, COURT HOUSE, JERSEY CITY,
February 11th, 1873.
Members present :
Drs. Cornelison, Varick, Culver, Elder, Vondy, Buck, Lutkins, Forman, Morris, Buffett, Hunt, Noble, Craig, Watson, Burdett, Miller, McDowell, Hardenburg, Benson, Selnow, Viers, Geisler, Prendergast, Gilman, Bird, Avery, Laowenthll, Abernethy, Mitchell, Freeman, Van Houten, Morgan, McLoughlin, Paul, Eddy, Everitt .- (Thirty-six). *
The President, Dr. Miller, in the chair. The Secretary read the call for this meeting, which was as follows.t * * The Secretary now began to call the roll, but was interrupted by the President, who objected to the + first + name called-that of Dr. Cornelison. P
Dr. Morris rose to a point of order, which he stated as follows : " The presiding officer of this Society should not take advantage of his official posi- tion to object to proceedings in this body ; such objections being equivalent to " DECISIONS," and requiring an " APPEAL" to enable the business to proceed, while an objection from another member would need no such appeal."" P
Dr. Miller withdrewt his objection, and the calling of the roll was con- tinued. Dr. Culver objected to " the names of those members who, by a simple act of the Secretary, were added to the roll," and wished his objection noted in those words. Dr. Hunt and Dr. Bucks remarked upon the objection of Dr. Culver. Dr. Morris moved, seconded by Dr. Lutkins, that the roll be called as it \ appears on the Minute book. Carried. The calling of the roll was now completed. P
Dr. Culver here objected to the call for this meeting, stating I that one of the gentlemen whose name is attached to it is not a member of this Society. Upon being called upon to state to whom he referred, Dr. Culver said he had reference to Dr. Lutkins. Dr. Lutkins objected to this statement, and de- clared it untrue .** P
The discussion of this subject was temporarily terminated by the read- ing of two other names-those of Drs. Morris and Hunt-which were also affixed to its call.
The special business of the meeting was now opened by the President, who called for the reading of minutes of the Jannary meeting The Secretary stated they were still in the hands of Dr. McGill, from whom he had just received a communication, stating that he was out of town, and that the minutes were still in his possession.++
Dr. Morris now offered a record of the transactions of the JJannary meeting for the consideration of the Society. Dr. Vondy moved, that Dr. Morris read the record of the transactions of the Jannary meeting, which
* Eleven of these gentlemen were not members. The conspirators were out in full force. The call foretokened trickery, and the loyal members were tired of it. Only about eight of them were in attendance.
+ (A). It was not stated in the call for the February 1Ith meeting, that Dr. Morris' fictitious " record," or " preamble and resolution," was to be adopted, and afterwards voted "correct." An absurd violation of Article II. of the Constitution, not less than a disregard of truth and good faith, was the result.
Į Error.
§ Dr. Culver asked Dr. Buck, " What is the true object of this special meeting ? Dr. Buck replied, " We have come here to put these men back into the Society."
| Dr. Morris' motion is ambiguous. Dr. Mitchell called a roll, at this time, which was never on the minute book at any period of the Society's existence.
Dr. C. said, those whose names headed the call, were very irregular in their attendance, and that the admission to membership of one of them had been most irregular.
** Dr. Lutkins' words were, " I believe it's a lie-I believe it's a d-d lie."
++ Dr. McGill was called unexpectedly away in haste, and left the minutes in his office.
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he has offere.l. Seeonde.l. Dr. Culver objected to Dr. Morris being allowed to present* minutes. + Dr. Watson remarked that he did not consider that minutes adopted on this occasion, and under these circumstances, will be in any wise binding upon the Society. A vote being taken upon Dr. Vondy's, it was carried.
Dr. Morris moved, to be allowed to read a preamble and resolution before reading the record of the transactions of the January meeting. Seconded. Carried. Dr. Watson objected to the reading of the preamble and resolution, and wished his objection noted. Dr. Morris now read the preamble and resolutions, as follows : * *
Dr. Culver ealled Dr. Morris to order when reading the foregoing, for personalities. The point of order was sustained by the Chair.
Dr. Morris appealed from the decision of the Chair. The Ayes and Nays being called for, they were taken as follows :
Ayes -- Drs. Culver, Watson, Benson, Gilman, McLoughlin, McBride. -- Six.
Nays-Drs. Cornelison, Elder, Vondy, Buck, Lutkins, Forman, Morris, Buffett, Hunt, Noble, Craig, Burdett, McDowell, Hardenburg, Sehiow, Viers, Stout, Geisler, Prendergast, Avery, Lowenthall, Mitchell, Freeman, Van Houten, Morgan, Panl, Eddy, Everitt .- Twenty-eight.
The appeal was therefore sustained, and Dr. Morris continued to read the preamble and resolutions.
The record of the transactions of the Society at its January meeting, was also read by Dr. Morris.
(The Fictitious Minutes.)
Whereas-
Dr. J. D. MeGill, Secretary, pro tem., of the January meeting, has refused to deliver to the Secretary of this Society his record of said meet- ing, as Secretary, pro tem., claiming that it is his personal property, until approved by the Society, and
Whereas --
Dr. McGill does still, at this date, refuse to deliver the same to the only proper custodian of all papers belonging to the Society, and
Whereas-
It does appear from the reading of the record, kept by him, (he having read the same at the last regular meeting), that the transactions of the said meeting are not faithfully recorded, being garbled in very important points and decisions ; and as a minority, with the presiding officer, did refuse to allow the said record to be so amended as properly to set forth the action of said meeting ;
Therefore be it resolved-
That we do now declare the following to be the record of the trans- actions of the meeting of January 7th, 1873. And we do hereby direct the Secretary to record the same in the book kept for the recording of minutes, together with this preamble and resolution.
Roll was called, and the following were present : Drs. Miller, McGill, Watson, Culver, Varick, MeLonghlin, Tallson, Benson, Lutkins, Vondy, Selnow, Forman, Morris, Hunt, Craig, Field, Comfort, O'Callaghan, Case, Viers. Abernethy, Van Houton, Panl, Eddy, Carpenter, Everett, Prendergast, Mc Bride, and Ran.
Minutes of December meeting were read.
Dr. Morris inquired in reference to non-recording of vote, by which several parties were declared elected to certain offices. Minutes were approved.
Under Third Rule of order-
* " Manufacture," was the word.
+ See note (A).
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Dr. McGill read an essay. As soon as essay was read, Dr. Morris moved, which motion was properly seconded, that we now go into executive session.
This was objected to, but finally all opposition to the motion ceased, and it was carried.
It was now moved that we open in the Eleventh Rule of order. This was lost.
Fourth Rule was called .- Election of Officers-and closed.
Fifth .- Report of Committees. Nonc to report.
Sixth .- Presentation of Claims. Dr. McGill presented a bill for print- ing, which was ordered paid.
Seventh Rule .- No communication. Closed.
Eighth .-- Proposals for Membership. None. Closed.
Ninth .- Balloting for Membership. None. Closed.
Tenth .- New business. None offering. Closed.
Eleventh .-- Unfinished business.
Dr. Morris moved that Dr. Forman's motion to reconsider the vote by which certain members of the Society were expelled for violation of the Constitution and Code of Medical Ethics, be now taken from the table. Carricd.
The reading of Dr. Forman's motion was now called for, and it was rcad. There was considerable discussion, pro and con, and the motion was passed. The Ayes and Nays being called, but by some collusion or misunderstanding between the Secretary pro tem, and the presiding officer, Dr. Miller, the Chair declared it had not passed; and again it was urged, and every reasonable effort made to bring it before the Society, but every attempt was a failure.
Dr. Morris moved that Dr. Forman's motion be now acted upon. Seconded by Dr. Hunt. Carried. Dr. Forman's motion having been again reached, was now passed by a majority of those present, Ayes and Nays having been called.
At this point the President was asked by Dr. Vondy the question, " If the motion had now been passed, or how many times it was necessary to vote upon it to pass it ?" and the President appealed to the Secretary for the facts, and finally decided that it had been passed.
Dr. Morris called for the reading of the report of the Comitia Minora on the trial of recusant members.
Dr. Morris called for the reading of resolution offered by Dr. Culver, in reference to expulsion of certain members for violation, etc. This resolution was now read, and remarks were made by different members. It was claimed by Dr. Hunt that, according to last elause of Article III. of Constitution, this question was not debatable. Dr. Culver remarking on this question was called to order, but, by permission of the Society, was allowed to proceed. The Chair decided Dr. Culver in order, as the question before the Society was the resolution of Dr. Culver, in reference to expulsion, and not the report of the Comitia Minora.
Remarks were made by others upon the question. Dr. Culver moved to lay the whole matter upon the table, until the evidence upon which the recusant members were convicted by the Society could be produced and read. Upon a vote being taken, the result seemed to be a tie, and the Chair then declared the motion carried.
Dr. Morris moved to take the resolution of Dr. Culver from the table. Declared out of order by the Chair, as no business had been transacted since the motion to lay upon the table had passed.
Dr. Watson made a motion to proceed to act upon the pending amend- inents to the Constitution. Seconded by Dr. Culver. Lost.
Dr. Morris then renewed his motion, to take from the table the resolu-
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tion of Dr. Culver. Sceonded. Dr. Morris stated that as business had now been transacted, his motion was certainly in order. Declared ont of order.
Appealed from the decision ofthe Chair. The Chair was not sustained. The motion was aeted upon and carried ; and the resolution of Dr. Culver being then before the Society, the Ayes and Nays were called, and the majority of all present voted in the negative; and the resolution was declared by the President to be lost. A number of members here dis- courteously left the room without the assent of the presiding officer.
After order was restored, Dr. Morris called for reading of amendment to the Constitution, offered by him at November meeting, which was read by the Secretary pro tem., and, receiving the vote of all present, except two ; the Ayes and Nays being called, was declared passed.
Dr. Hunt ealled for the reading of amendment offered by him at the November meeting ; which was now separately voted upon, and passed ; the Ayes and Nays being called, (two votes only in the negative.) Dcelared passed by the President.
Dr. Morris moved that the Seeretary be directed to notify those who, at this meeting, have been restored to membership, of the next regular meeting of the Society. Seeonded and carried.
Dr. Morris then moved a reconsideration of the vote by which eael amendment to the Constitution had been passed. In each and every case a reconsideration was refused ; voting upon each separately.
Twelfth Rule of order .- Appointments of Committees.
Dr. Morris moved that the copies of the Constitution, By-Laws, etc., recently printed, and the amendments now adopted, be referred to a Special Committee of five to get into shape, and report to this Society for revision, before printing. Carried.
Drs. Vondy, Hunt, Forman, Eddy, and Prendergast were appointed sueh Committee.
Motion was now inade to adjourn, which was carried unanimously.
HENRY MITCHELL, Secretary.
Dr. Hunt moved to adopt the preamble and resolutions. Seeonded. This motion was declared out of order by the Chair.
Dr. Hunt appealed from the decision of the Chair. A vote being taken, the appeal was sustained. Dr. Watson ealled for the reading of the preamble and resolution.
They were then re-read by Dr. Morris.
Dr. Watson remarked upon the motion of Dr. Hunt, and in the course of his remarks said that he doubted if any member present would say that the Forman motion to reconsider the vote by which certain members of this Society were expelled, was passed at the January meeting.
Dr. Forman arose and said that the motion referred to, " did pass " at the meeting referred to, and that he " was ready to make affidavit to that effect."
Drs. Hunt and Morris also asserted that the motion to reconsider said vote to " expel " did pass at the Jannary meeting. *
Dr. Cnlver seeonded Dr. Watson in remarking upon the passage of Dr. Forman's motion to reconsider said vote. He said there was minch confusion among the members on that point, and stated that he believed the Secretary pro tem., Dr. McGill, at the time, considered the motion passed, and had so recorded it in the minutes ; but that he (Dr. C.) had suggested + to Dr. MeGill that thit did " not pass."
* Dr. Morris' motions were acted on, but Dr. Forman's was not. See minutes of February 7th, 1873.
+ The outrageous falsehood, postscripted in these interpolations, was trumped up and inserted with villainous intent. (See charges by Dr. Vondy). I hope Dr. Mitchell will some day confess how and by whom he was persuaded to do this.
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Dr. Morris called upon the Secretary to note Dr. Culver's statements. P Dr. Culver wishes lis objection to the minutes, P presented by Dr. Morris, noted.
The President now called Dr Watson to the Chair, and replied to the P' charge made against him in the resolution read by Dr. Morris. He denied, tas an aspersion, P the statement referred to, and said it was far from his design to take a partisan position on this or any question. He wished to be understood as ruling without personal feeling toward any member, and with an earnest regard for justice toward all.
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