Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-19
CITY COUNCIL.
A called meeting of the City Council was
held last night.


held last night.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The President stated that the object of the
call was to dispose of the unfinished business,
and to consider also communication tro"! the
Mayor on the subject of the smallpox:
Mr.. French understood the meeting had
been called exclusively for the consideration OF
the latter business, but on inquiry it was ascer.
tanned that the expected communication had
not been received.
Some unfinished business was then disposed
of, when communications from the Mayor aud
the Health Officer relative to smallpox, ac-
companied by two resolutions prepared by the
Board of Health, were read.
Mr.. johnson said that the last resolution was
the only part of the whole proceedings OF the
Board Of Health that had any sense IN 1t.
There was 10 legislation that would reach
these cases. He proceeded to give his views
at length on the subject, explaining the differ,
cnce between epidemic and sporadic cases, and
stating that if his views had been adopted the
city would have been possessed of asmall- pox
hospital before this. People could not be COM
pelled to be vaccinated by Council, nor could
they be forced to employ physician appoint
ed by Council They would have their prefer
ences of physicians, and we must respect these
preferences. The idea of hiring man to go
among smallpox patients and after getting his
clothes, hair, whiskers, and even his BREATH
filled with the contagion, to circulate at large
among the healthy people Of the city, and be
walking pestilence, was more than ridiculous;
it was simply outrageous.
Mr.. Markell asked if the man who was to
attend to the small pox patients, had to 20 into
stores and purchase supplies for the use OF pa
TENTS if so he was opposed to 1t.
MIR. French said that the Board Of Health
consisted OF practical gentlemen, who under
stood what they we're about and were surely
competent to manage this matter.
| MIR. johnson thought that the employment
| of such messenger would be simply money
wasted.
The resolution was adopted, Mr.. johnson
only voting in the negative.
Mr.. Markell said when the resolution to pro-
vide for hospital was read, that he under
stood that the house at 'Peytou's Grove" at
the upper end OF King street, could be obtained
as hospital.
MIR. johnson said he was opposed to any such
| placebos. The business of this Council was
not to rent but to erect hospital. lie was
opposed to this sort of legislation, amounting
| to nothing. The community demanded action
on the part of Council We we're simply fool
ing away money. The people Of that section
| of the city would not allow patients to be car
ried to Peyton's Grove The whole thing was
nonsense and the men who suggested it were
not practical men. IF be were allowed per-
| mission he would build hospital himself, at
his own cost Do not adopt the ideas Of imprac-
teal men who know nothing about the subject,
but act sensibly in this matter.
Mr.. French said he thought substitute for
the original resolution would better accomplish
the end desired, and offered resolution that
the Board of Health be authorized to rent the
house at Peyton' Grove or some other suitable
place.
Mr.. johnson enqured if the property was
outside the Corporation; if so Council could
have no Jurisdiction
There was conflict of opinion between mems
bers as to the locality Of the house III question
MIR. johnson again took the floor, saying that
we must have place and nurse for these
cases, but his idea was to save, not to waste
money, which he thought the legislation pro-
| posed was calculated to effect
The resolution was then adopted without
dissenting vote.
Mr.. French called attention to the fact that
the physician formerly employed had decn cd
to attend any other cases of smallpox, and 1t
was necessary to act in this matter.
The President said that this matter was al
ready provided for by law; the Board OF Health
had authority to appoint physician:
Mr.Johnson, to show, as he said, how ride
ulous we were making ourselves, read section
from the law on the subject.
A bill to provide for general vaccination OF
the city. was read. -.
Mr.. French said that eight months ago, at
time when there was not case OF smallpox II
the city, bill similar to this was passed BY
this Board, but failed in the other branch OF
Council. Had it been passed then there might
not be single case of smallpox 10 the city:
Now when distinguished gentlemen urge and
recommend this matter, would 1t not be wise to
adopt it III -, ,,n nuonosoa b.a
been tried by the State and found a failure.
You could not compel a man to be vacclnated,
nor could you compel him to submit to this
process at the hands of any single man. The
ONLY way to manage this was to have dlspen-
saTy. ..,,~.-r .....-,
Mr.. French offered an amendment authorlz-
ing the President OF the Board of Health to
purchase 80 much vaccine matter as may be
necessary.
Mr. johnson still insisted that the whole
thing was perfectly ridiculous and it. was thus
seen how perfectly ridiculous a man made him
self when he meddled with matters he knew
nothing about
Mr.. French said that Council had unques-
tionably the power to adopt such sanitary regu-
lations as were necessary to preserve the health
of the town. This, he thought, settled the
question of the power of Council to enforce vac
cination. ;.
The bill being put on its passage, was lost,
ayes 5, and Messrs. johnson and Seaton Vot.
ing in the negative
On resolution to purchase wood for the use
of the poor, adopted by the Common Council,
Mr.. johnson proceeded to explain at length
what he desired the resolution should be-.
The resolution as opposed by MIR. johnson
was opposed by.
Mr.. Seaton, and was withdrawn. = -
The original resolution, conforming to- the
suggestion Of. the Mayor, was then adopted.
On the question Of purchasing hose for the
use of the hand fire engines, ,,....
Mr.. johnson. referring to the action of the
Fire Wardens, said that it was no use for those
little upstairs to try and crush the hand com,