National Republican., 1875-07-12
BOARD or HEALTH.
deception and 7ntsrtainment Of. Visitors
Saturday,

enforced by the Board Of Health, has been
source OF great qualification to the residents, and
at the same time, attracted the attention Of the
officials Of adjacent cities. While the board has
not yet succeeded In accomplishing all that is
requisite In the department over which they ex-
erctse control to perfect the sanitary system and
make Its operations complete throughout, still
the progress made beyond what was accomplished
under the old regime shows astonishing advance
ment, and causes the residents of this community
TO wonder how they managed to exist in those
times, surrounded by SO much foulness and i'm
purities. These important changes, and the
manner in which they were brought about, be-
came matter Of Importance to sanitariaus and
those having responsibilities resting upon them
50 weighty as the health Of a community were de.
sirous of possessing the knowledge OF performing
the work and proiting by the experiences that
had wrought such pleasant and acceptable re-
suits to this people. The authorities Of Balti-
more have many troubles to meet In the shape Of
nuisances existing in that city, and which It is
could secure information here that would prove
advantageous in extricating them from their
dilemma, it was decided to make visit to the
capital Of the nation and witness the system in
opf ration there.
The Board of Health, having been advised of
the officials intentions, made known their pleas
ure at the proposed visit, named last Saturday as
an acceptable day, and prepared to extend to the
visitors cordial welcome: At the same time the
opportunity to witness the workings of the de-
partment in detail, and let them pass q general
bui3t mn So Ot thew @ mip6t Be ens6isd to der derive YEA
fuller and more satisfactory knowledge Of the
work for which the visit was made. The entire
board assembled at the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road depot, at 1o:l5 o'clock, last Saturday morn
ing, for the purpose OF
RECEIVING THEIR GUESTS,
who arrived by that train from the Monumental
CITY The party was composed of. Hon. F. q.
nj candidate 1amAg A
Stewart. health commissioner; DR.. q. W. Ohan-
cellor, W. W. Orndorf W. H. Balton, Charles
Hogg, Allen E. Forester and W. NJ. Donivsn,
members Of the city councils.
DR.. Q. Q. Cox, as president Of the board, re-
ceived the gentlemen and introduced them to his
fellow members, and short time was consumed
in the exchange Of courtesiss and social con.
versatiop. The entire party then took carriages
known as the general receiving depot, located at
the intersection of Delaware avenue, First
night soil, garbage and dead animals are
brought and temporarily deposited prior to
their transportation p BY rail into the eoun-
ors for that work. At this place the visitors were
met by Mr.. Daniel S. Jones, chief clerk of the
with the following officials from Alexandria, Va:
Mayor Il kemper, DIR. X. G. Powell, health off,
Ger; r. S. Asbby, auditor; s. E. Neale, alderman;
NJ. johnson. attorney: W. ID. Stewart, city engI
neer; J. J. Burnham, ex-member Of the board of
public works, and R. F. Knox. The depot was
found to be in a very cleanly condition and so
thoroughly disinected that scarcely any offensive
odors were emitted, and the visitors expressed
great surprise and much qualification that work
ofthis nature could be carried on within the city
limits without becoming Objectionable by sending
out unpleasant and disagreeable smells and
deserted one for residences They were also given
an opportunity to witness the wagons discharge
aaG zee s tne same TeCaG IN cars WhiSn
Having finished at the building the party were
taken to the rooms of the board, where q full
examination of the records and the manner in
health officers department and thoroughness
of his work also came in for full in
ments for the completeness of the system.
In fact the visitors were being continually sur
Re a1rT Waa
to be in. even the minutest matters showing that
they recet-ed constant attention. and the gentle-
men could not fail to express themselves as envy
system conducive to their health, and compli-
mented the members of the board for their perse-
this city in the front rank Of cities for cleanliness
health and beauty.
AT THE LUNCH.
At 8 o'clock the board. with their visitors and
other invited guests, proceeded to ''Wormley's,"
corner Of Fifteenth and streets northwest, where
a lunch was to be partaken of; but when the doors
were opened, and the announcement to enter came,
burdened with dellcacies, and showed that the
apro'ider in fulfilling his part of the agreement
Before taking seats at the table DIR. Chancellor
read Dispatch from Hon. Mayor Vansant, of
kept him too fate make BE s 81
over to this city The
before being seated DR.. o. q. Cox made q brief
speech Of welcome. He assured the visitors that
the board welcomed them with great pleasure and
sincere delight. To those who had net visited
Washington since the war would be apparent the
great progress the city had made in the way of
dwellings lad been constructed and in lieu of the
mud and cobblestones there could now be seen
miles Of pavement. He was compelled to say, and
he said 1t with pleasure that much of this change
was due to man whom he hoped to have been
present to-day. That man was A. r. Shepherd
might have pursued him, he would be remem-
bered with pride when his slanderers were gone
and forgotten. He continued at some length,
and, in conclusion, offered the first toast Of the
evening: 1.-THE Mayor in esse and in posse of Bal
timore, which was responded to by Hon. Mr.. LR-
trobe. He spoke of the close alliance between
Baltimore and washington as sister cities, and,
referring to Ex-Governor Shepherd, said the day
was not far distant when the citizens of this Dis
tion Of the valuable Services rendered this city.
Speeches were also made by Major X. Kemper,
DR. Powell, health officer, and John NJ. Johnson,
of Alexandria. DR.. Chancellor, of Baltimore, in
dentally alluded to the
vALoR OF THE WASHINGTON FrRENEN
in aiding to extinguish the flames which threat
ened the entire destruction of Baltimore about
two years since. This act of kindness, said he,
would never be forgotten until gratitude ceased
to be one Of the virtues OF the people of Balti-
more.
DR.. Stewart, of Baltimore, Mr.. Neal, of Alex
andria, and Prof John NJ. Langston, DR.. d. W.
Bliss, DR.. T. s. Verdi and John Msrbury, IT,,
treasurer Of the board, delivered brief speeches
in response to calls made upon them.
sTREET-swERPING.
The banquet being over and all the arrange
ments for keeping the city clean not having been
examined, the company re-entered the carriages
and proceeded to the corner Of Sixteenth and N |
streets northwest, where all the sweepers and |
watering-wsgons In the service of Mr.. L. p. |
Wright, contractor for sweeping the streets, were
exhibited and an opportunity to witness them in |
operation given. TIE machinery attracted con-
siderable attention and was closely inspected,
impresstng the visitors very favorably with the |
process by which the streets Of the city are kept
clean
All Of the officials, both from Baltimore and
Alexandria, returned home in the evening trains,
but ere they departed expressed themselves as
having enjoyed their short trip, being much |
pleased with the sanitary department and its |
workings, and deeply indebted to the Board Of
Health for their undivided attention and the
courtesies shown, and hoping that an opportunity
will occur in which they may testify to the truth
of their statements by return Of the complL-
ments received while visiting the city.