The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-01-13


void. From this decision IL does not
appear that the State cannot have such
| ways constructed at its own expense.
But this does not seem advisable until
concurrent legislation can be obtained
with Mary land that State holding both
banks of the Susquehanna river at its
mouth and for many miles above. Thn
subject has been brought to the attcn.
tiOn of Maryland, the Legislature of
which State, at its last session, passed u
law providing for the appointment of
commissioners Of fisheries, to report at
its next session, which will not occur
until next winter. The fisheries under
consideration are nearly, if not quite,
as much deteriorated by the want of
statutory laws for their protection as by
the mechanical distractions in the
streams.
The New England States and New
York have commenced the experiment
OF fish propagation in the large streams
north of Us on quite an extensive scale.
Their experience will be useful TO u5
when all obstacles arising from the di.
vided state ownership of the river
shores shall have been obviated. New
Jersey appointed fish commissioners at
the last session of her Legislature, and
the commissioner of Pennsylvania is
now in treaty with them in reference to
needed concurrent legislation. The sub.
Ject Is receiving careful attention in
both States by their delegated agents.
II is hoped that Delaware will join with
Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the
reforms needed on the Delaware river.
STATE LIBRARY.
The accumulation of books belonging
to the State, by purchase, exchange aud
donation, largely exceeds the capacity
of the cases now in the library for their
accommodation. Many thousands of
volumes, of great value, are necessarily
stored away in such manner as to rem
der them inaccessible and consequently
useless. l, therefore, recommend that
the Legislature authorize the construc-
ton of sufficient number of alcoves,
to oaccord with the architectural arrange
II mt of the building. These can be
completed at moderate cost, which will
be more than compensated for in the
safe keeping of the books, and in their
accessibility and general usefulness.
STATISTICS.
Permit me 10 renew my recommen
dation5 concerning the collection and
properly recording of statistical infor-
nation relating to the development and
growth OF the various resources of the
Commonwealth. Such records are an
almost indispensable necessity. The
want of them is source of constant
perplexity and annoyance to all the
State officers, and to others, including
United States officials, and representa-
tiveS of foreign nations, who have busi-
ness with the different departments of
the State government. These statistics
might be gathered, at moderate ex-
pense, by an intelligent clerk appoint
ed for that purpose, aud the books at
all times kept open for inspection in
the office of the Secretary of the Com
monwealth.
LAND DEPARTMENT..
The report of the Surveyor General
furnishes detailed account of the Land
Office. During the past fiscal year 3 $50
patents were issued, covering 537 $50
acres, being more than one fifty-sixth
part OF the area of the State. The great
amount OF work in this department re.
quires several additional clerks. Tho
insecurity of the building renders nee
essary additional iron cases or safes for
the protection of the muniments of title
and other public documents. The ex-
pepses OF the office, including improve
ments, was S23 400, whilst the receipts,
from fees alone, amounted to $54, ,703.61.
MINES.
Herewith is submitted the report of
the Inspectors of Mines, filled with
highly important statistical informa-
tlon, to which your careful attention is
invited. The necessity for such inspect-
prs is demonstrated by the number of
;tsualties reported, and the propriety
ni extending the provision of the act
bI which it has been ius tituted to all
lAe mining districts in the State. fJlci.
bly, exhibited.
YELLOW FEvtE.
This fearful epidemic made its appear.
ance at the Quarantine Station in juno
last, spreading terror through IT,
neighborhood, and causing serious
alarm in Philadelphia. The disease MS
suned its worst type, and the percent.
age OF mortality was extremely large.
1t was brought to the Lazaretto, from
Jamaica, by the brig "tlolne," who's.
captain died during the voyage. The
vessel was detained by order of the
Lazaretto Physician, who, with the
Quarantine Master and other valuable
attaches of the station, fell victims to
the pe5tilence. The second mate and
plot OF the brig, in violation of orders
TO the contrary, and ai,O of the health
regulations, went 10 lhe city, where
'hNS bbNi Nl't anu IL has DtGn lnlef-
red that the deaths which subsequently,
occurred there are partly attributable
to their imprudence.
Upon the death of the Lazaretto
Physician and the Quarantine Master,
l appointed two physicians, both Of
whom were known To have had much
experience in yellow fever, to fill the
vacancies. They volunteered their serv.
ices at time when it was difficult to
obtain persons properly qualified. The
results proved the propriety of these
appointments. Soon after they entered
upol the performance Of their duties,
the disease was cradcated and the sta
tlon restored to its usually healthy con-
ditiOn.
Some changes seem necessary for tile
proper management of the quarantine.
La my opinion the Quarantine Master
should by law be required to be med
zeal man, qualified to act Us an assistant
TO the LazarettO Physician, and to per-
form the duties of that officer, in case
of his absence, sickness or death, Had
this been the case when the late physi.
clan died, the necessity for calling ms.
sistance from without would have been
obViated, and the sickness, suffering
and mortality lessened. The salary of
this officer, as well as that of the Lsza.
.N''' ~ s'N'", 9hNuiu pS materially
increased, in order to retain competent
and responsible men for these import.
ant positions. The salaries now paid
Were ASed many years ago, and are an
inadequate compensation for the risks
and services required.
Grateful Acknowledgements are due To
the members of the Board of Health
for their excellent sanitary precautions
and personal services during the preva.
lence of the epidemic, and also to the
attaches of the Quarantine Station for
their fearless devotion to duty in the
time of danger, and their constant and
self-sacritlcing attention to the wants of
the sick and dying. Had it not been
for these faithful and efficient services,
by which the progress of the fever was
arrested, Philadelphia and other popu.
lous districts might have suffered Il rep