The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-04
Ratio of deaths 10

10
1854. ....... ,568 1in22.05
1866 ......... ,042 629,8l0 in 27.35
ieoo.... 49,. ~ ,ZoS IN $50.
The committee might quote many examples Of the nfu-
of sanitary science advancing the health and
ing the lives Of the people, and Of the destruction of both
by its neglect; but single one will suffice
So great the degradation hh and pollution of London
sea. eight sSr a. deaths % by in
New Year, there were also lost
Of New New
YORK as great as that Of London two centuries since
ago it was better than that Of London nowvz one in
completely reversed and loss for the
The document from which the preceding paragraph is
taken eport to the Board of Supervisors Of New York.
March 30 1859 concludes with the following resolution,
which subsequently adopted and ordered to be trans
mitted to the legislature
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Board imperative
necessity exists tor such in the details the City
ana The Of It's sxec1
science; and that Legislative this elect would
aad greatly 70 It's usefulness aneeienc and meet with the
As further expression Of the sentiment of the public
authorities OF the city Of New Yorkthose who know
It's wants in this respective quote. the following para
the sanitary Committee Of the Board of Health relation
to the cholera it prevailed in New York in 1S49" of
Governor Of the State, active and efficient member
and is among the sgners of the report
The abors of committee during the appalling
ton misery and nth 70 them by their researches
NS
The eitys reputation, and preservaon
we know it, dictate OF policy to be prepared
season 10 meet and not cholera alone but and every
10 no other Work alone should the ssorss sddress them
% es az a ne haa ua BE- an a s @"g
medio man The advantages OF sucha measure
With these facts before them your committee have no
hesitation expressing the opinion that the department
which has the supervision OF the public health the city
Of New York should be entirely separate from all others,
and unencumbered with irrelevant duties and RESPONSE
bilites that should be placed on more solid and inde
pendent basis than the ordinary divisions Of the govern
mept that far legislative enactment accomplish
the object, It's head should be thoroughly competent
sanita ian and the tenure emolumenls Of Office such
to the greatest skill, dev otion and efficiency
Under such arrangements as these the committee are
Of opinion that the most saluary results would follow that
the estimate which has been made of S3 900 000 the
OF aroidabe sickness and death, and the unneces
sary loss Of 5000 lives per might be prevented
with effect upon the happiness and morals of the people
which can reher be reckoned ngures nor expressed
words.
The next important consideration relates the
sructon Of houses intended tor the dwellings OF the ndus
trial classes and the necessity for securing, far as
practicable, the following results
A direct communication with every Inhabited ROOM
with chimney connected with each by means OF fire.
places ventating wheels windows directly admitting
the light and heat Of the laundry utensils and water
lars admitting light, and being free from dampness
economical stoves for cooking; and as far as
practicable, flat set apart for each family, distinct and
separate from Others and given space to be appropriated
TO each inhabitant.
1t is believed that the prevalence Of these features in
the class Of houses mentioned would be found as bene
fcal the landlords TO the tenants for experience
has shown that in consequence of the present defective
arrangements in all these particulars most of these
houses in the city of New York the tenants or large
portion Of them constantly in i'll health as TO be
unable TO perform the labor they are qualified for and
produced by poisonous atmosphere, the want OF light
and air and the frequent contact with fifth their
duccd earnings absorbed by medical expenses, the
landlord loses his rent and too often the Amshouse and
Potter's Field become their last homes. The committee
trust that these Considerations addressed to the
dy of Spectators IN dwellings for the poor will not be
overlooked is clear that alarge portion of pauper
ism well as the mortality of the city must be attributed
the wrecbed manner in which its poor lodged The
crowded apartment the want OF and air the identity
of the kitchen and the sleeping roon the damp and dark
cellars all unite in deprivng such residence OF all the
elements OF domestic comfort or happiness and when TO
them is superadded the inroeds OF pestllenna disease II
can scarcely occasion surprise that the moral character OF
the tenants gives way under the pressure Of want and
misery that some yield TO ntemperance and others to
crime, that the children Of parents thus situated
driven TO the streets for an i'll gotten livelihood.
is maintained however, by some practical observers
that sanitary regulations will have effect with large
cass of poor tenants and that in the CITY of New York
there benevolent societies which furnish constant
lief TO their dependents upon the consideration mainly
that they will keep their apartments and their persons
ceanly condition: while IT is well known tDat this
requisiton is carried out with the greatest difficulty Yet
Notwithstanding these views the community have the
doubted right Of seprotecton against diseases supern
duced by unhealthness for IT is undenable that i'm
atmosphere and local malaria convey their mischief
on the wings Of the wind 1t is due, therefore, every
consideration of public health and the general welfare
that the dwelling erected Tor the poor shall
and disseminate the evils attending the condition
IN life Of that unfortunate class Of people who occupy
them.
The startling facts elected this latter subject in
course Of the examination those who have
heretofore given their attention. nor bave they been
don TO the extracts already gwen from public documents
on the first branch of the question under discussion the
committee deem II advisable to extract the following pas
sages from report made to the "Association for I'm
proving the Condition of the Poor in the year 1863 and
which forciby illustrate and sustain their views
gard to the class Of buildings known tenement houses
The subject though specially referring aborng
es deeply concerns citizens generally For aside from the
bers should excite all whatever be their social position
classes with better ienemen improved ventilation and healing
erage they will certainly suffer lees sickness aud prema
be ON he oer Sand Is se sea
tact that diseases are not to the localities
ssma Hence though The poor may fall in greater numbers
rich who splendid squares and spacious streets
Of this metropolis often becone the victims he sor
entcus fact be G The same eau Which ocasion
o q al s sms a 1s % & nd o.. high
support increase taxation and OBJ
msns T., wSnG sppear therefore TIA, 70 place within he
OF healthy and attractive homes object deserving
the special attention OF our city but which should
be regarded as one OF the most interesting
beneyolence
The resident poor In the First ward have 1876
and according 10 the estimate of the missionary
within is limits OF that class needing neen
thousand persons Yet has thai any special
provision OF enements has been for mss ndgen
population
the upper wards there some habtions sr the
ing classes where their wants and have regard
ed, and IN which possible the requirements or
NE Generally, however, they inferior and rc
tnre to those aeaoy considered Crazy buildings crowd
ed rear tenemens In filthy yards dark, damp Easements
,aky garsw shops out houses and stables converted into
DIV eipgs though scarcely Ut 10 shelter brus the hsbta
tons Of thousands OF our fellow beings in this wealthy Chris
than city.
But the most Objectionable hebtsons the cellsrsin
some instances sx feet under ground-wbch have 70 De
bsed out after every rain Storm and damp as 70 De
sroy health go dark industry aud - low hai
ventilation ia impossible. Though utterly aabe for any
other they rented at rates which ought com
portable dwellings, 10 persons who become debased
character MS tho condson is degrading in which they ve
lbe following extract nom the annual report OF the
same society for the year 1857 will show that in the
tour which had elapsed the former report