New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-29
PUBLIC BATHS

PUBLIC BATHS
Tho recent cooling and invigorating
showers, occurring as they have almost
every evening, make us forget the extreme
summer heat which has come upon us.
But by and by, if we may judge from the
past meteorological changes of the various
seasons, these friendly rains will cease,
the earth will become dry and parched,
the atmosphere thick with dry, powdery
dust, and the sun, unhindered, will re-
sumo his fiery sway. A cloud the size Of
mans hand will then be welcomed with
joy, and water, that most precious of
Gods gifts to man, will be indeed invalu-
able. In anticipation of this uncomfort-
able period, it would be agreeable to be-
lieve that our wise city government
would SO apportion the munifcent
gifts which nature has SO amply
Afforded this city, SO that all, even the
humblest, may participate in them. With
the longest and deepest river in the world
dashing against our shores, why can not
We enjoy its vast wealth more abundantly?
In perusing Northern journals, we can not
avoid contrasting the public spirit mani
tested in Northern cities with the sluggish
temperament of ours. New York, for in
stance, mindful of the wants of the public,
and knowing that frequent additions are
SO necessary to perfect health, makes the
requisite arrangements to that effect.
The wide-awake Commissioner of Pub
lie Works, Mr.. Tweed, shows in his style
of administration, degree of enthusiasm
and good sense most commendable. Look
ing forward to the long stretch of hot sum-
mer weather in prospective, he calls upon
an architect and commissions him to
draught plans for spacious and comfortable
lighthouses at once. With astonishing skill
and dispatch designs are drawn, calcu-
lations made, the work commenced, and in
the short space of three weeks large and
commodious structure is ready to be
launched. This is admirably arranged to
accommodate two hundred persons at the
same time, and built, not in a slovenly,
but in a neat and substantial manner, and
strong enough to Withstand the highest
tide waves. 1t is floated by pontoons and
with its castellated roof and turrets, is
do
These elegant bathing establishments
will be an ornament to New York City,
and if we could soon see their counterpart
dotting our own shores, it would be a
gratifying sight.
These generous provisions for the work
ing population, by the municipal authori-
ties of the American metropolis, remind
US of what we read of in ancient Rome,
when the bath was considered by all classes
of people, from royalty to plebianism, as
indispensable to health. The famous nata-
forum of Diocletian was constructed at
immense cost, and was capable of accom-
fifteen hundred persons stimuli
The remains of the ancient
therma, at Rome, still exist to astonish
and perplex the traveller. Must we not
only lag behind our Northern sister cities
(who do not need the cooling power of
water as much as we living SO near the
equator), but also permit the ancients to
excel US in this particular, when ou1 adj
Vantages are SO superior? By all means,
let US have free public baths.
Notwithstanding the immense expense
Of our city Waterworks the poor among
US have no convenience for bathing beyond
\ small tin wash basin or a wooden
bucket. In our clearinghouse the alb
lutionary accommodations are extremely
slender, consisting of narrow tub, seldom
and used Unfortunately by all
the habitues of the house. 1.-THE most skill.
ful physicians assert that cold bath is
IN excellent tonic. 1t is bracing to the
muscles and stimulating to the nerves, at
he same time improving the appetite,
md by opening the epidermidal pores, rem
lering the circulation both vigorous and
effective.
In consideration of these beneficial re-
suits, and the knowledge that nothing is
more conducive to health than cleanliness,
We make an earnest appeal to our city
Administrators (who have on so many
occasions proved themselves to be not only
capable and patriotic, but humane, liberal
md efficient officers) to establish, as soon
Is possible, these baths. Let it be speedi-
v accomplished. We see no reason why
IN ample provision for plunge and SWIM
ming natatoriums should not be made.
We're this accomplished, much sickness,
md perhaps an epidemic, might be averted.
The sanitary regulations of the Board of
Health would be far more effective in ward
ng off disease, if the poor and the work.
ng class could enjoy the benefit of free
public baths, for it would increase in
en-fold degree that which is SO con-
lucive to health, viz: aids and encourage
nent to cleanliness.
TRIAL BY JURY AS TO THE COMMON
WEALTH.
What the State has at hazard in respect
o trial by jury is its security against the