The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-30

rtions IA that the Old system OF leaving the sanitary
interests OF this city the hands OF Getty Inspector
Is far behind the present one Is the stage coach
Is behind the locomotive. The Board OF Health was
a necessity and must remain one. THIS citJ IL TOO
big for .'ciy Inspector 10 manage aereeably to
the laws or health and the pockets OF the taxpayers
The great advantage OF course, which the Board OF
Health possesses Is in the cooperation OF the police
force throughout the district. Its ordinances, with
out this effective aid would be likely to prove in
many instances like the Vatican bu II levelled at an
erratic comet on the Board Of Health are some very
active, clear headed men, whose joint efforts have
been directed. summer and winter, 70 keep our at
mosphere free from mephitc sdors likely to engen-
is DR.. Harris whose able and analytical mind
draw an instructive distinction between
Five Points and that which Is borne on the breeze
from the bone boiling factories on the North river.
The Doctor took an active part In keeping diseased
meat out OF our markets some time ago, and fumin-
aed some terrible State papers against the vendors
OF tainted beef and mutton
One excellent feat which the Board accomplished
deserves TO be rescued from the oblivion 10 which
the modesty OF the President consigned 1t. Last
summer toerably alarming accounts OF the spread
OF smallpox were received here from various points
North and South. The death record In this city In
dicated In one week 100 cases OF small pox.
special meeting OF the Board was held ut which
It was resolved 70 grapple without q moments de-
lay with the spreading eontagion and extrpate 1t II
already in me employ Of The Board were engaged 70
enter upon crusade OF vaccination throughout the
whole district embracing five counties. In Two
months they vaccinaIed 10000 children and adults.
and reduced the Death rate by smallpox from 100
cases to two. Now this Napoeonic coup. this quick
ana enectual stamping out OF very fearful invader,
could never have been done under the old city
INSPECTOR system, or II attempted would
nave been performed p IN soT Waan ans
at present organized, can scarcely be Inn
proved upon 1t has for auxillaries the Quarantine
and Police commissioners and II the former OF these
only perform their duty fully and 1earessly the IN
nabitants OF this city need have little apprehension
as TO the efficacy OF the machinery at hand to meet
the msldous assaults of plague epidemic. A
great and crowded city like New York. with half Its
population living In tenement houses, badly drained,
badly cleaned, and the emporium for the hosts OF
Immigrants embracing all the races and ali the ma
tons OF men. cannot have too elaborate machinery
for sanitary purposes One visitation OF plague would
destroy the commerce or this port for at least
twelve months. There Is little inducement for hun
cry politicians in the Board OF Health. Its allowance
Is only $4,000 per which Is expected to cover
the sanitary needs OF five counties and keep moving
nifty different projecls less relating to the
health OF the CITY, The undertaking at present un-
.derway and one OF immense interest to every ctl-
zen OF New York, Is the compiling OF series OF
statistics embracing the tenement houses OF New
York, their numbers, number OF inmates mode Of
construction, style Of ventilation and sewerage,
means OF escape In case OF fire. rents, mode OF living
and many other items which will afford US some
tangible idea OF the tenement house system, Of
which tins city enjoys the almost exclusive de:
benevolent minds OF Drs. Harris and Lincoln find
plenty of congenial employment. Neither OF these
gentlemen IL at Oil disturbed at the prospect OF beng
removed by democratic fiat. The President, Mr..
Lincoln, says he should like to see the Mayors OF
New York and Brooklyn members of the Board; that
1t was a great omission III the Legislature not to
have provided that arrangement, as 1t would have
been OF great convenience and materially assisted IN
rendering the AIM scope power and composition
OF the Board better understood and appreciated.
Mr. Lincoln thinks the democrats will very likely
let the Board remain and add two or three more OF
their party as members. As Tor himself he feels
cheerfully prepared to quit when asked to do So
lie did not solicit the position but much to his sur
thinks the Board mas done Its work well and nobly,
without noise or ostentauon. content TO show Itself
In deeds faithfully performed, and better pleased
win the silent gratitude OF aplreclatve minds than
The loud applause derived from gaudy display OF SER
To The Board OF Health when was organized by
the Legislature was added on the Board Of Excise,
with tine one set OF commissioners for botn. The
Excise Board was then deemed tri1ing a1f air ana
It's duties OF so light character that no compensa
ton was allowed for their discharge. 1t was only
brief time before IL was discovered that the Excise
Board was grand money raising machine, ana tnat II
kept up Tor hfeen years at the same high pressure
with which 1t started out 1t would clear OF the city
debt. As II Is, 1t has been the means OF securing
for the sinking fund about TOUR millions
OF dollars raised from the sale OF licences
and half million besides intended Tor
distribution among the religious charitable in
situations OF the city. but on which an injunction has
been Placed by the Commissioners OF the sinking
Fund as being their legitimate due. The Excise
Board has been very unpopular. 1t mas been
mathematical in more languages than one and
looked upon by the democracy especially as little
else than badge OF insult and tyranny. There Is
little defence attempted TO be made Of 1t except that
II has been powerful lever OF supply for the sink
lHk iuuu- Nucu Tue Legislature IHUuiNtu Tile ITO-
hlbitory law last winter and the Board its discretion
reduced and graded the rates OF license the intensity
OF feeling against the institution partially subsidized:
out now mat the democratic standard floats
the stroDgholds OF the enemy the near prospect OF
ayengng themselves on the sober-sded Law givers
OF radicallsm nerves every democratic rumselier
shout the cry OF vengeance-"Down with the ex-
cise-and down 1t Will surely CO. and free rum will
now In as wide and fatal streams II did In days OF
yore. The rum power will smash this institution II
not for profit and policy for Tue sweet experience of
revenge This design OF the democracy is evident
and very easy OF accomplishment