November 5th. The President informs the meeting that the two representatives of the physicians for the poor, Drs. Hansen and Boldemann, have entered the army, and that consequently the Association of Physicians is no longer represented in the Board.
In order to abate the nuisance of professional beggars, and for the protection of the members, the latter are requested to give no direct relief, but to report all cases to the agency for examination. An arrangement is effected by which members may deposit an optional sum, from which they may draw by check for the benefit of those seeking help, leaving it to the agency to examine the case, and treat it according to circumstances. (This system, which still exists, has proved very effectual, and should be generally adopted.)
1862. The embezzlements of the agent of the Society, O. F. Ehehalt, amounting to over $2000, led, at various extraordinary general meetings appointed for the discussion of this affair, and at which the attendance was very large, to violent debates. This induced the Board to hand in their resignations; they were, however, not accepted. The deficit was covered partly by voluntary contributions from members, partly by the renunciation of a portion of his salary by Theodor Rose, the successor of Ehehalt.
May 1st. Removal of the agency to 5 Battery Place.
1863. August 3d. The sum of $5000 is repaid by the American Trust Co. and invested in 5-20 United States bonds.
294 names of members registered in the years 1859-1861 are struck from the list on account of non-payment of dues.
1864. January 19th. The general meeting is held in the hall of the Liederkranz. (In subsequent years as well, the general meetings were held in the hall of the Liederkranz Society, kindly placed at our disposal; during the previous twenty years St. Matthew's Church, at that time situated in Walker Street, near Broadway, had been placed at our service with equal readiness.)
July 6th. Appointment of a committee authorized to issue, in the name of the German Society, an appeal for the relief of wounded German soldiers, and to receive money and
