NOV17 1891 LIBRARY ASS'N. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE Texas State Medical Association, HELD AT Fort Worth, April 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1890. [Twenty- Second Annual Convention.] FIRST DAY. MORNING SESSION. OPERA HOUSE, FORT WORTH, } The meeting was called to order by the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, Dr. W. P. Burts; Rev. J. Morgan Wells, of the First Baptist church, invoked the Divine blessing on the labors of the Convention in an eloquent prayer, and vas followed by the President, Dr. R. M. Swearingen, who, being introduced, declared the Twenty-second Annual Convention of the Association now open. Chairman Burts introduced Hon. W. S. Pendleton, Mayor of Fort Worth, who tendered the Association the freedom of the city, and a warm welcome, in one of his characteristic speeches. On behalf of the local medical profession Dr. Burts delivered the following ADDRESS OF WELCOME, extending welcome to the delegates as guests of the local profession and of the city: "FELLOWS OF TEXAS STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:The pleasure of the task assigned me is marred by the knowledge of my inability to express to you the full measure of cordiality and welcome that the members of the medical profession and this city feel. "In the name of the profession of Fort Worth and of Tarrant county I bid you a generous welcome. We are delighted to have you here, and hope that your meeting will be one of unalloyed pleasure and great profit. "Twenty-one years ago, to-day, this Association was born at Houston, Texas. Like most infants it was very small then. Eight years ago the small town of Fort Worth was honored by one of its most profitable, pleasant and numerously attended meetings; and now, having attained the age of legal majority, it comes back to the invigorating air of the most enterprising and hospitable city of Northern Texas to celebrate its arrival at manhood. Many are the changes that this Association has undergone in its trave! from infancy, through boyhood, up to mature manhood From a mere handful at its first meeting, it has gradually grown, until to-day it numbers among its members a large proportion of the brightest and must learned physicans in this great State. "In looking over this assembly of learned men I see a few of those who attended the earlier meetings; but their heads show the whitening effects of many winters, and their faces exhibit the furrows dug by remorseless time *Only part of the manuscript was furnished the Secretary hence the address is not published.-ED. "The presence of these veterans of the profession calls sadly to my mind the absence of some of our brothers who have closed their labors and passed over the river since our last meeting. "No more will we see the genial face or grasp the friendly hand of Dr. Ed. Randall, Sr., of Galveston; Dr. J. B. Robertson, of Goliad; Dr. J. M. Lewis, of Mexia, and Dr. R. B. White, of Ennis. "They fell with their armors on and with their faces to the foe, faithfully performing the duties of our noble profession, the healing of the sick, the relieving of distress. "We are deprived of the pleasure of their association, the wisdom of their counsel, and the value of their suggestions; but let us hope that they are to-day receiving a just reward for the arduous labors of a life time in a profession, the duties of which are so inadequately appreciated or requited by its beneficiaries. "We welcome you to our growing city; to its health-giving air; to its well paved streets; to its electric street cars; to its beautiful churches; to its magnificent libraries, andto the best article of artesian water in the world. "With the hope that your deliberations may be harmoniously conducted, in the name of Fort Worth and her resident physicians, I promise you that nothing shall be left undone to make your stay as pleasant and profitable as possible." President Swearingen responded to these words of welcome in a brief speech; after which he delivered the following address, containing suggestions and recommendations for the "good of the order": PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: "GENTLEMEN OF THE TEXAS STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:- Since we separated in San Antonio, a year ago, death has struck from our roll some honored names-Doctors Ed. Randall, of Galveston; R. B. White, of Ennis; J. M, Lewis, of Mexia, and E. A. and E. J. Carothers, of San Antonio, will be with us no more; and J. B. Robertson, the genial kind-hearted old doctor, the stainless christian gentleman, the splendid soldier of two revolutions, for the first time in many years, must be marked among the absent. His life was devoted to humanity and to his country, and as I look through the record of services rendered by him, of duties performed, of sacrifices made, of trials and sufferings heroically endured,-I can see in his character the rounded finish, the grace and symmetry of an almost perfect man. This hour of greeting is not the occasion for eulogy, and I ask your indulgence for throwing a simple willow wreath over the grave of one,-loved in life and revered in death. "The harmonious sessions of 1888 and 1889 gave rise to the hope and general belief that the Texas State Medical Association had passed the period of stormy youth, and that all the unpleasant episodes of the past would be forgotten in the higher life of serene, matured manhood. So may it be forever. "The careful investigations and thoughtful suggestions of my predecessors, concerning amendments to our organic laws, have made them sufficiently comprehensive to meet the requirements of our day, and probably our generation. "There are, however, some omissions, or ambiguities in the by-laws that might, some time, create trouble, and further legislation by your honorable body is deemed advisable. "The exact relations, rights and responsibilities of delegates from county societies, who are not regular members of this Association, and the rights of the individual members of said county societies who pay their dues to the State Association but who are not present at our meetings,―should be prescribed in clear, explicit language. Article 7 of the Constitution grants to county societies one delegate for every five members, and one vote for each delegate on all subjects. "Article 5, of the by-laws, imposes a tax of one dollar per annum, per capita, upon county societies. This requirement has of late years been wholly disregarded. "As we now enforce the law, a delegate who is not a regular member, without paying a cent-unless he chooses to do so-has the rights of membership upon all questions before the Association, and exclusive privileges in the Nominating Committee. "The per capita assessment of one dollar upon county societies, and the limitation of delegates to every five members of said society, when summed up, amounts to five dollars from each delegate, the exact amount paid by each regular member every year. "The authors of these articles in the constitution and by-laws doubtless introduced them in order to equalize the tax upon delegate and member, and make both pay alike, the current expenses. If this provision were complied with, the delegate and member should share alike all honors, profits and emoluments, which is not done. Although accorded every right and courtesy during the session of the Association that a member can claim, the delegate is unknown after adjournment; his name does not appear on the roll nor are his contributions found in the Transactions. "To correct this omission and render even-handed justice to all, I would respectfully suggest that delegates be required to pay the per capita assessments as directed in the by-laws, and that said delegates furnish the Secretary of this Association the names of those from their respective county societies who paid said assessments. I further suggest that the Secretary be instructed to send to each member of county societies so paying, a printed volume of Transactions, and to also permit county delegates to offer their papers, and papers from any member of the society they represent, to the Publishing Committee, as do regular members of this Association. "This plan seems fair and equitable and will certainly conduce to mutual benefits, by closely identifying all the members of county societies with the State Association, and giving them not only substantial recognition, but valuable |