The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-05-20

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INFORMATION WASrEp.-It is becom-
ing question of some interest to know
whether anything, and If anything
what. is being done by the authorities
to improve the sanitary condition of the
city, in view OF the rapidly approach
ing hot weather, and the danger that it
will bring with it that dreadful scourge
the cholera. The city has what is call
ed (by courtesy a Health Officer"
This officer is getting pay at the rate of
$3.50 year. II he is earning this pay
he Is doing it in very quiet, unosten-
tatlOus way, for SO far as we can ascer-
tain by our own observation, or that of
others, little or nothing is being DONE
The city we are assured is not in any,
thing like as good sanitary condition
as 1t was last summer. The present
cool weather cannot in the natural
course OF the season last much longer.
The heated term viii soon be on us.
After 1t begins in earnest it is doubtful
whetheEa spasm of cleaning up will not
do more to invite pestilence than to ward
II on-if indeed it be in contemplation
of the city authorities to attempt a thor
ough cleaning up at all. At present
it looks as if they we're utterly indiffer-
ent to the interests of the CITY both in
matters of health and business, for
both are involved. We can assure
them that If through their supineness
aud criminal neglect Wheeling suffers
this summer as Cincinnati did last, our
people will fasten the responsibility
where it belongs. The gentlemen who
carry the city government now with
such exclusive sweep would do well
10 remember that there are times when
power has its responsibilities as we'll as
privileges. There are several matters
just now connected with the CITY gov
eminent that ought TO be dealt with in
vigorous and honest spirit and solely
from considerations OF the general wei
fare. 1t may be too much to hope for
anything of this kind from those who
now hold the Teins of the city govern
ment, in ordinary matters OF public
Improvement; but we have a right to
expect that where their own lives and
business are involved alike with Others.
the clky Council would act upon the
ordinary maXims of self interest and
self protection.
five are mistaken in saving TINT tho |
health officer is doing little or nothing
to put the city in sanitary. trim wa |
shall be happy to publish the evidence |
of the fact whenever we are furnished
WIN lie ~ IL pcClluH 100 much n |
expect that officer to report to Connect
occasionally what he is or is not doinv |
or doesithe Council want to know or |
want the public to know? We are in
formed that DR.. Blum, who was health
officer last year, made an elaborate re-
port some time last fall ofthe operations
of his office, setting forth all that he had
done, and what he had failed to do and
why he had failed, and making recon-
mendations for sanitary work. The
very men who most thWarted or resist
cd him in the discharge OF his duties.
II seems, were members Of Council or
influential friends of members of Conn
Gil. The Doctor we believe tried hon
eatly and earnestly to do his dutv. and
he told the Council plainly In his report
why ne was not able TO do it. This of
course WAS an objectionable offence.
4ne report was suppressed. 1t was
never even read to Council, and in order
to get rid Of the Doctor the functions M
the office were suspended. and in luz
or three months afterwards anothar
gentleman was elected to the place froT,
which DIR. Blum never was in nnv for'
mai or legal way removed. These are
the Iacts as we hear them. Can sorne
one tell US il they are facts? Ifthev
Of Doctor Blum might be Imh
advantage to the sanitary Interest,", WIZ IN
the city. And we should like to know
and the public would like to know
why it was suppressed when made
The Taxpayers Of the city paid the
salary of the health officer last season.
and they would like TO have the bene.
Mt OF his labors "a embodied In that re-
port. Is there any reason why that
report should be withheId7 Ifso, what
Is w And We may add that the tax
payers are paying the GALAXY Of the
health officer this season. and thev
would like to know what he n doing
TO earn that salary. atFs -..iSSS
II any one can enlighten Ms. and
through US the public, on any Of these
points we shall he happy to give pub-
Lefty 10 the information.