Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-10

adopting some other measure whereby
our city could be put in a proper sanitary
condition. The Mayor nominated
number Of physicians to constitute q
Board of Health, which the Board Of
Aldermen refused TO confirm, as they
desired to make the selection themselves
The matter was referred to special
committee Of one Alderman from each
Ward, who nominated Board of Health
to suit them. The newly appointed Board
of Health have held a couple of meet.
ings, bat adjourned without transacting
any business because their nomination
has not been confirmed. The strategic
movements in regard to the paving con-
tract appear to occupy the whole atten'
ton of our City Fathers, but we hope
they will settle that bone Of contention
this evening" and do something toward
abating the filthy condition of the streets
and alleys, which send forth efiluyia
well calculated TO invite disease
1t is stated that Superintendent Beau
mont objects to any interference by the
city with the duties that belong to his
sanitary company. We know not il this
is so, but we do know that something
should be done Immediately to abate all
nuisanees that stand forth with open
arms and invite the cholera and its kim
bred diseases to visit us. The papers Of
Nashville, Louisville and elsewhere have
already announced that the cholera is
committing dreadful ravsges in Mem
phis, and yet, strange to say, we have
no Board of Health, and our city author
tiles have not expended single dollar
to improve the sanitary condition OF the
city. This alone should give the lie to
all reports in regard to cholera in Mem
phis. The following was introduced at
the last regular meeting of the Board
by Alderman Wickersham and referred
to the Ordinance Committee:
Resolced, ETC., That the reckless exI
eenditure of money by the Board Of
Health during the summer of 1866 re-
minds US of the danger OF placing in the
hands of similarly organized body, at
time when the financial condition of
the city is at the lowest ebb, the power
to entail additional Indebtedness upon
US, for which there can be no hope of
deriving adequate benefit The Board
of Health, as proposed by the Sanitary
Committee, is an unwieldy and irrespon-
sble body, without authority of law, and
liable to involve the city and themselves
in endless litigation should they presume
to organize sanitary force, as they now
propose, and send their subordinates
upon the premises Of privat. citizens to
abate nuisances Not only this, but'it is
reasonable to suppose that the Commits
sioners of Metropolitan Police, jealous
of their rights, and in discharge of their
duty, will promptly order the arrest of
every person who attempts, in the ca
pacity of an officer, to discharge the
duties conferred by law exclusively upon
the Metropolitan Sanitary Company.
But, leaving out of the question this
danger Of conflict Of authority, we believe
that moro practical plan than the one
proposed by the majority of your com
mittee can be adopted by which more
efficient sanitary measures may be car
ried out at an expense that will be trihing
when compared with the immense out.
lays of money that may reasonably be
expected from board composed of eight
men, every one of whom must be permit
ted to purchase what he thinks may be
needed for the benefit of his particular
ward.
Our plan is as follows;
Resolced, |. The appointment of three
active, energetic and competent physi.
clans to act as Board of Health. ~
2. The selection Of, by this Board of
Health, one of their number to act as
Secretary.
8. The Secretary of the Board of
Health to be paid the sum Of - dollars
Der month during the pleasure of the
Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and to
devote his whole time to the duties of his
office.
4. The other two members of the Board
to be merely advisory, and to perform
their duties without pay, one of them to
be selected from each of the two police
districts of the city.
5. The Secretary to have an office in
connection with or convenient to the
Office of Police Commissioners, and to
cooperate with the Sanitary Company Of
Metropolitan police, giving them the
benefit of his professional council and
advice.
6. The Secretary of the Board of
Health shall have authority to admit
patients to hospital in all extreme cases
in which great suffering would be caused
by the delay necessary to procure per-
nit from the Chairman of the Board Of
Hospital Trustees.
T. All expenditures Of moneys appro-
nr;ated hv the BOARD of Mayor and
Aldermen to defray the expense Of the
Sanitary Company shall be approved by