Joseph Rogers, M.D.: Reminiscences of a Workhouse Medical OfficerRogers, Joseph
History
Joseph Rogers, M.D.: Reminiscences of a Workhouse Medical Officer
Rogers, Joseph
Charities, Medical -- Great Britain; Poor laws -- Great Britain
"The suspension of Dr. Rogers from his duties by the Guardians of
the Westminster Union because of his honest testimony in an
inquiry into the conduct of the master, is an event of very great
consequence. It is impossible that the Local Government Board can
sanction the action of the Board, or disregard the memorial signed
by fifty-four of the most respectable inhabitants of St. Anne's,
including the rector, the Catholic priest, &c.; and another, signed
by ninety-four of the ratepayers of St. James's. Dr. Rogers is a
representative man. He represents not only the Poor Law medical
service, but the independence of the members of that service, and
no greater misfortune can befall the poor or the ratepayers than
that he should be persecuted by the Guardians of Westminster for
doing his duty. We cannot believe that Sir Charles Dilke will allow
such a misfortune to happen. The Local Government Board have acted
with a strange inconsistency in retaining the master of the
Workhouse. It is inconceivable that they will play into his hands,
and those of the Guardians who assist him, by sanctioning the
dismissal of Dr. Rogers. But the profession and the members of the
Poor Law service, should lose no time in organizing a proper
movement for vindicating Dr. Rogers' claims and position."
After my suspension I went to Bournemouth, and whilst there heard of
the above movement in my support, and also saw that my friends in the
profession were organizing a testimonial in my favour, subscriptions to
which came from all parts of the kingdom. So that, instead of injuring
me, the action of the Guardians secured me three months' holiday, a
testimonial worth £200, and gave me that leisure which enabled me to
work up a party that some six months after drove the Chairman and his
followers from office.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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