The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-01
NEWS ABOUT THE EEHER.

NEWS ABOUT THE EEHER.
The Disease Making NO Headway-A
More Cheerful Community-The
Mayor and Major Willis-An Ugly
Business-The Work OF the Wards
Food for Pestilence-The Fever he-
ported at Beaufort-Good DIsinfect-
ants, &c.
The CITY was shade more cheerful yester-
dav. Excitement, which had been at fever
heat for several days, was subsiding, and the
public mind is evidently settling down to the
conclusion that 1t is useless to cry out before
the body-politc Is hurt. This sensible feeling
will be encouraged by the official reports,
| which show the slow progress Of the fever.
| It now appears that up to Saturday last, the
| 26th instant, there were nine deaths from
yellow fever. Three OF the nine took place
between August and August 10, and the re-
naming six in the following week. For the
current week the mortality will be greater;
but it is officially stated that there were only
thirty.three new cases OF fever In the aoeeh end
ing on Wednesday night last. This Is a very
cheering exhibit, as the proportion Of deaths
to the entire number of patients is steadily de-
creasing. On yesterday, the busy tongue OF
rumor could conjure up only tlco new cases,
and only t,oo deaths occurred, to our knowl-
edge, during the day.
We should be glad If the Board of Health
would make arrangements to furnish to the
press, every evening, an official report of the
number of deaths during the preceding twen-
ty.four hours. This was done regularly In
other yellow fever seasons, and We presume
that 1t can be done now. The public desire It,
because they repose no taithin any unofficial
statement, and they are urgent in their re-
quest to be supplied every morning, through
the columns Of their favorite journal, with the
latest official news concerning the common
enemy. The publication OF daily reports
would allay alarm BY showing in plain figures
the course of the disease. Nothing, then,
would be left to the Imagination. These re-
ports, moreover, would give quietus to the
wild iumors about the condition OF Charles
ton, which, in the absence of official intelli-
gence, are greedily swallowed in the interior
of the State.
The City Inspectors Ofice-disunder-
standing Among the Heads-hator
Willis Opposed and Politics Inter-
vening.
Pursuant to his appointment by the Mayor
on the preceding evening, as executive officer
of the Board of Health, Major E. Willis went
down yesterday morning to the Office OF the
absent city Inspector to enter upon the duties
which he had voluntarily undertaken. A large
number of laborers, who had been notified,
were on hand, and everything seemed to
promise that the work Of cleansing the city
would soon be under way. Upon looking at
him by Mr.. Dorrn, the major found
number of carts engaged which
he deemed unnecessary, and Immediately ad-
vlsed their discharge. Mr.. Jenks righthand
man, J. L. Howard, here came in, and upon
hearing the above, intimated that the major
was overstepping his authority, and infringing
upon the duties oil the street inspector; at the
same time producing letter from the Mayor
which corroborated this view. This unlocked
for opposition from Jenks's assistant created
some exciting talk; but Major Willis, declining
any controversy on the subject with the srly
assistant, referred the matter to the Mayor.
Both parties then adjourned to the Mayors
Office. where another Richmond proved to be
In the field in the person of the redoubtable
Alderman-D Doctor, NJ. H. Collins; and refer
ence was held 10 his presence, and that Of DR..
B. Lebby, the city registrar.
Major Willis here tcld the Mayor that he did
not want anybody's place; that his only motive
In Offering his services was the welfare Of the
public, and that II the Mayor wanted him to
serve be must define his position. The con-
ference ended, however, without such def
milton from the Mayor, and in the evening
Major Willis addressed written communica-
ton, requesting written answer in regard to
| this matter.
After this unexpected denouement, Major
Willis, Of course, took no further action uHtil
his duties should be defined by the Mayor,
and he should be placed In a position to
defend his authority. In accepting the IA ther
Indefinite appointment by the Mayor, Major
Willis did not understand that he was to take
Jenk,s office, but was led to believe that his
duties would include those Of the Inspectors
Office, in addition TO assisting the health
officer, and carrying out the views Of the
Mayor. In short, that it was his impression
that he was to be the executive officer OF the
health department, and have chief control 10
all sanitary measures. With these views he
entered the Office OF the city inspector, and
upon being opposed In his measures, referred
the matter to the Mayor. The latter function,
ary not only declined then to define the posi-.
ton to which he had appointed Major Willis,
but refused to sustain him after promising his
support on the previous evening.
The Mayor was interviewed last evening by
our reporter, and the following card will ex'
plain the true reason Of the opposition to Major
Willis:
| CHARLESTON, 8. c., August 81.
To correct false impression that has found
Its way both into the papers and upon the
streets, make this public statement, that ]
have never been requested by any man or del.
egation 10 appoint Major E. Willis street In
! spector. He has neither asked the appoint
i ment hinself, nor do believe he has had the
Il least expectation or It. Certainly no such ap-
polntment has been made by me. have, how.
4 ever. accepted the voluntary offer Of Alderman
INK III -tk-