The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-11

The Public Health and the Common
Councfl.
The Board Of Health, at its last meeting,
having come to the conclusion that II does not
possess legislative powers, and that 1t cannot
act for the removal of nuisauces which are
endapgeriDg the public health, the question
then is, from what quarter are we to expect aid
should the city be suddenly threatened with
pestilencei
The City Inspector, a. shown by his
January report, is without power, for the
want of action on the part of the Common
Council, and the Common Council refuse to
act This is the condition of people who
have to pay this year eleven millions of dollars
in sustaining system Of institutions that are
conducted with no regard to the public welfare
and safety, and whose managers, with but few
exceptions, seek only to enrich themselves out
Of the public plumber. Surely this Is not .
fattering state of things but is II not time that
II be brought to close, and our lives and pro-
perty be looked after before It is too late
Voting away the public money by thou
sands and tens of thousands Of dollars Is
about the only business which our Common
Council proceeds with slacrity to execute,
while the already overburdened taxpayer has
no relief but to look on and pay his assess
ments. The City Inspector, in late communi-
cation, implores the Board Of Health to give
him power TO remove fightful nuisance In
the shape Of private manure dumpings which
are daily complained against by the neishbor-
hood, when that body discovers that II II with.
out power to act and the communication il re-
ierred over 10 the Common Council, and this
viii be the last heard Oft
Commencing ct Thirty seventh street, on the
East river, and running TO Thirty-ninth street.
there are estimated 10 be, In standing pile,
from nineteen 10 twenty -one thousand loads of
manure always on hand; aud ct present the
amount ID imposed TO exceed that quantity
the property Of private speculators and COM
panies. The horrid stencil which II emits Il
plainly percepuble In Third avenue, enter
ing into every house In the neighborhood, poi
soniDg the atmosphere, and carrying
disease and death with It; and this must be
borne with, simply because the Common Coun-
"
interfere. Fat boiling establishments 90 on
increasing with impunity, the proprieton car
ing nothing for the public health, and - little
for public opinion. 20 long ~ they can retain
the tacit permiasion Of the Common Council.
What do the directors of our city railroads care
how many human beings they cram into their
cars, even of those suffering from contagious
disease, 90 long - they can enrich their capital
and keep on accommodating relations with the
Board OF Health and the Common Council.
Not . solitary measure Of sanitary reform has
even been considered by the Common Council
since II came into power; and even now, when
the necessity for action becomes daily more
imminent by the near approach OF the sickly
season, there Il the same inattention TO the
public wants on this literally vital question
Should a pestilence make its appearance
among us we have only 10 bear II with
patience, and return thanks 10 our city fathers
Tor the visitation. They will have nothing 10
fear from lie effects; for, being we'll provided
with the resdy means, q safe retreat can be OBJ
tanned for them at fashionable watering places
or convenient country seats. This Is matter,
however, that II will not answer 70 make light
Of, for there Il no knowing ct what moment the
WORT may be upon us. The lives Of million
of people are triled with ~ though they were
Of no importance, and the interests of the trad
ing portion Of the community and commerce
have 10 yield 70 the personal wants and selfish
views Of those TO whom the city's welfare il
entrusted. Who Is to blame for all this.-the
people or those whom they elect to ofice9
Snow HM THE DooR-The manner In which
DR.. wolcotts ntislavery resolutions were met
In the American Tract Society proves that the
digger has not gained much ground amongst
ia members ainna Ahn lnaA strnnnln II WA