Health Officer Forced Out by Political Squabble
Dr. George H. T. Sparling resigns as city health officer after relentless opposition from the Democratic city administration.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Health Officer Sparling, recognizing that Democratic opposition to himself was hindering the board of health in the performance of its duties, handed his resignation to President Churchill yesterday to take effect November 1. Dr. Sparling's letter reads as follows: 'Owing to the many impediments put in the way of the proper performance of the duties of my office I herewith tender you my resignation.' The work of his office has been made doubly unpleasant by other branches of the city government since the attempt to remove the board of health on his account. The record of Dr. Sparling stands before the public prominently because of the attacks made upon him by the Democratic administration. The board to which he is only responsible has in all cases investigated and found the health officer in the right. The only offense proven against him was being a Republican.
“The only offense proven against him was being a Republican.”
City departments being used as political pawns is a theme as old as city hall itself. The blatant partisan obstruction of the health office in 1892 mirrors the historical tension of civil service versus political patronage.
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