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The Governors of Bethlem also received a deputation from the Committee
appointed at the suggestion of the Governors of St. Thomas's Hospital. But
from what followed, the Committee is of opinion that the Governors had at the
very time of this suggestion already made up their minds as to Stangate. In
this, as in other of the interviews with the Governors of St. Thomas's Hospital,
it appears to the Committee that they were not frankly dealt with; not dealt
with indeed as the representatives of public bodies, duly elected by a population
of half a million, and representing great interests, were entitled to be dealt with
by the managers of a great public trust. It almost appeared as if the managers
of this great public trust deemed themselves virtually irresponsible. The
Committee always feeling this, first took care to inform every individual Governor
of their case and their opinion, and afterwards made an appeal to the City by
memorial. The Committee was received by the Common Council with great
courtesy, and the following resolution was carried unanimously. " Whereas
St. Thomas's Hospital was originally founded at the cost of the Mayor,
commonalty, and citizens of the city of London, in whose management it was
vested by Royal Charter, and did so continue for two centuries; and whereas by
a subsequent act of parliament, the Corporation is still required to take part in
the government of the Hospital by appointing 38 members of its own body, to
act as Governors in its behalf, this Court deems it needful at the present time to
declare its opinion, that having regard to the local duties for which this great
charity of St. Thomas's Hospital was originally founded, chartered, and endowed,
and which have been fulfilled for three centuries, the new Hospital ought as far as
circumstrnces permit, to be built in a situation no less central than that which
the former Hospital occupied." This resolution was officially signed, and
forwarded to the Governors of St. Thomas's Hospital. It was subsequent to this
that the country scheme was definitely abandoned. It now became evident that
although the country scheme was abandoned, the Governors would probably
select some site very inconvenient for old Southwark and the city; at one time
Myatts Ground, close to the Camberwell Station of the London, Chatham and
Dover Railway; at another time and so finally fixed, Stangate on the Thames, or
as the Committee might say, in it.
It was now resolved again to memorialize the City. The Lord Mayor, by
requisition extensively signed, called a Council at the Mansion House, specially
to hear what the committee of parishes had to say. Mr. Lawley of the City,
most ably stated the case; he was well supported by Mr. Deputy Elliot, and by
other influential gentlemen. To these gentlemen, and to the City Solicitor, the
Committee begs to tender its best thanks. The Committee was heard, and the
result was, that the Common Council resolved to appear with the parishes, or for
them, as the Attorney General might decide; ana accordingly at once retained
Counsel. Subsequently, by appointment, the Attorney General received the
representatives of the City, the Committee of parishes, and the Hospital officials.
The Attorney General, after hearing all the parties concerned, decided, that as
the City and the purishes evidently had but one object, and as the City had the
better locus standi, the City might appear in the interest of both, before the Vicechancellor,
in opposition to the Stangate site; and so to the satisfaction of the
Committee it was decided. The City proceeded with energy, and employed the
witnesses obtained by the parishes, as well as several others of the highest
standing and character. The Vice-chancellor, Sir Page "Wood, decided for
Stangate, stating that unless it was proved before him that the Governors of the
Hospital had acted other than bona fide, he could not do otherwise. It was not
in evidence before him, nor could it have been, that the Governors had acted in
bad faith, notwithstanding in the opinion of this Committee, the action of the
Governors throughout has been highly unsatisfactory; so much so indeed, that
the Committee belie there is great and pressing need of an entire change in
the government of this rich charity eertain passages in the Charity Commissioners'
Report (32 part 6.) appear fully to bear out this opinion. It may be
as well to cite here certain pertinent passages in the Vice-chancellor's judgment.
He observes, on behalf of the parishes, that they appear to say, " Our poor were
largely benefitted; we wish them to have the same benefits; we wish also as