The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-06

win the game twill be hard fought contest, and
the eyes of all the politicians in the country arc
turned to the Empire State
PROGRESS OF CHoLERA-NEcEssITy OF SAM
TARY MEASURES Cholera seems to be making
rapid strides in this direction It is at this
only two or three hundred miles north and west
Of New York. It appears to have proceeded from
southwest to northeast, following the course Of The
rivers, then OF the lakes and it will probably
down the valley Of the Mohawk and the Hudson
river, till it reaches this city.
We do not wish to spread any unnecessary alarm;
but when cholera is already in this State, il is high
time for the authorities of the hefcty ofhe State to
look out for its approach and to make such SANITARY
preparations as are calculated to modify the viru-
lence of the disease There have been already fatal
cases Of cholera in city, but it is be hopednot Of
the terrible Asiatc type. It is incumbent on every
person to enforce cleanliness in his own dwell
ing, and, as far as he can, all around him.
1t is, also, necessary to avoid incompetence in diet
and drink, aud to eschew unripe fruit. But all
sudden changes ought to be avoided, and the first
symptoms of diarrh@a ought to be attended to-
In Rochester the disease has been fatal chiefly
among the poorest class. This has been found to
be the case here. 1t was so in the fatal year
when so many thousands were swept away
This arises from their dwellings being situated
in the most unhealthy parts of tho city, the neg
lect Of cleanliness, and the want, perhaps, Of
sufficient wholesome food, with those gross habits
of intempernnce that prevail among the most igno
rant and degraded class of population. The first
case of cholera, in 1849 broke out in Orange street,
in the immediate vicinity Of the Five Points. But
when it once obtains footing, no class is exempt
from the breath Of the pesilence.
1t will, therefore, be the highest wisdom to make
ali necessary preparations to guard against the in
PRODUCTION Of the disease if that is possible and if
it comes, to diminish the mortality. Owing to the
misunderstanding between the Common Council and
the City Inspector, the city never was in worse
condition to meet the disease. Some Of the yards
are in most alarming and deplorable state though
there is a double set Of officers doing the same
duties.
AS cur readers are aware, when the City Inspector
would not consent to dismiss the health wardens,
two for each ward-men who were acquainted with
all the filthy localities, and who, by service Of
TWO years, had acquired knowledge Of their duty,
ard a facility in its execution-because he would
not dismiss these, and appoint raw, inexperienced
men, Of different politics, the Common Council
abolished the wardens toto. The consequence was
that the city was totally neglected in SANITARY
point of view, there being officers to attend to it,
The complaints Of the citizens became loud AMI
menacing, and the Common Council saw at length
they had taken wrong step; but they would not
retrace it. What did they do! They appointed a
set of officers they called "health inspectors" They
sent them to the Mayor to be sworn. The Mayor
II. 1as.
known to the law. The City Inspector also refused
to recognise them. In the meantime, tho Mayor
detailed a police officer in each ward to act as
health warden, under the City Inspector, and thus
the matter stands at present.
II is said that the Board Of Health are about to
appointa SANITARY committee to discharge the fdnc-
tons of the City Inspector. This will be another
step in the wrong direction. and very dangerous
responsibility their part to assume in view Of the
approach OF cholera The City Inspector is the pro-
per officer to discharge the duty. He has been
elected by the people to do SO. He has the expe-
rience of years, and he would be responsible to the
community for the health of the city if lie were not
interfered with. Now the responsibility is divided,
rather entirely assumed by the Board Of Health,
and in the event Of great mortality the people viii
hold the Board of Health accountable. The Board
OF Health are not an executive body-they have only
a legislative capacity, and not even permanent
body 1t is only in time Of an emergency that
they have on existence at ali; and the same act Of
the Legislature that creates them, gives his powers
to TIE City Inspector. Ii they decide that anything
is nuisance dangerous to health, and that il must
be abated the City Inspector carries the order toto
execution. But they have authority to do IL
themselves. The Legislature has taken away all
executive powers from the Common Council, in eve
ry shape and form, and appointed heads Of depart
ments. The City Inspector is a head Of depart
ment; but from the course pursued by the Common
Council and the Board Of Health his Office is rem
dered nullity and there might as well be no City
Inspector 1T all
This is all wrong, and the sooner the error is cor
rected the better Let net politics political con-
tenion place in jeopardy the HEALTH or it may be the
lives, of citizens If party prescription is 60 be
followed, let it be followed in every thing but whore
human life is concerned. That is too precious and
too sacred to be triHed with.
THE DIVISION OF THE SPoms.--The Presidential
election involves on amount Of public plumber equal
TO fifty two or three millions year. Now, if the
democrats win, this will all be clear gain But