The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-25
How Public Health and Decency
Are Outraged.

Are Outraged.
The interest awakened by the HERALD's articles
on the Harlem pesthole is universal and intense.
The people who have so long suffered from this
atrocious outrage are surprised and delighted az
the prospect OF relief and han with pleasure bor-
dering on enthusiasm the bold attack or the NEW
YORK HERALD on the crime and the criminals.
corresponding alarm and confusion has seized the
officials who are manly responsible for the fearful
condition OF Harlem, and there Is decided dispo-
siton on the part OF the Boards OF Health and
Police to lay all the blame other than the right
shoulders. In justice to all involved in this conspir
acy against the health and welfare of New York it
rs only proper to show now much responsibility
rightly belongs to the city departments
which have had control Of this work.
and to point out wnen possible, where
enorts have been made to stop the evil,
The sanitary laws OF New York clearly define, In
unmistakable language, what shall and shall not
constitute proper filing for any area within the
city limits.
Il is evident that these laws were honestly
framed to protect the city nom pestilence, and
that II they are strictly carried out, letter and
spirit, the utmost effort OF the city government
will have been exerted 10 that end. But when it
can be clearly demonstrated that these sanitary
laws have been violated by the departments
q duty OF the most vital gravity to
citizens to seek the readiest means OF relief
that can suggest itself to an outraged
community. The Board OF Health, every
Is aware, is clothed with the most ample powers
IN matters Affecting the health OF the city. 1t has
the right to say what must and must nos be done
20 secure for New York cleanliness and freedom
rom epidemics and to regulate with iron
hand the details OF our daily life, so far as they
THE SANITARY CODE.
The sections OF the Sanitary Code prescribe the
manner In which the refuse OF the city shall be
dealt WITH where it can be used, and how. the
manner or its transportation from point to point,
and every stage OF its progress from the moment
IL comes under the jurisdiction OF the departments
refuse to that or its 1nsl disposition In accord
ance with law.
Section liz OF the Sanitary Code reads as fol-
lows
Tnat no pile or deposit OF manure ofral, dirt or
garbage, nor any accumulations or any offensive
or nauseous substance shall be made WITHIN the
space enclosed within any portion thereof, or
upon the piers docks or oulkheads adjacent
thereto, or upon any open grounds Tor upon any
vessel or scow other than those TO be speedily and
according TO the duty OF any person removed
lying Rt any such pier, wharf or bulkheadl, ex-
cept according to resolution OF this Board es-
peclally authorizing the same, and permit OBJ
tanned from this department and according
20 It's regulations, and no person shall con,
tribute to the making or any sucn accu-
SUBSTANCES which has be been used Tor r bedding Tor
animals be placed or dried upon any street
sGewax or ro ,1 az any building; nor snaIi any
any mattress or Ded be deposited or burned, nor
shall any accumulation thereof be made within
200 feet Of any street without a permit from this
Board.
the foregoing section or the law. which empow-
ers the Board OF Health 20 act in all cases where
It's functions become operative, IS clear prescrlp-
tion OF the duties OF the department wen as the
people. Now. It mas been proved beyond ques-
tion that the work or Filling nn the Harlem ats
and the adjoining low grounds is In the most d.
rect violation OF this section or the law OF It's let
ter and spirit. OF its every clause and sentence.
THE DEPARTMENT or HEALTH CLAIMS
some immunity from blame, on the grounds that
the coordinate Department OF Police sells this
garbage TO contractors, and Is. therefore, guilty
OF tue breach OF the law complained Of; but the
Health Board admits It's knowledge OF the fact
and that II possesses the necessary powers TO stop
the evil. The etiquette OF the departments must
be very exacting indeed wnen the welfare or over
million Of people IS Jeopardlzed TO maintain It,
IL Is taclt admission Of completely in the crime,
whether by omission OF duty or a positive co-ope-
ration. No way that we can look at the case adj
mits OF any excuse for the Health Board. When
the use OF garbage was FIRST complained OF the
Board OF Health stopped It peremptorily; but dur
ing the winter months the Board or Police received
permission from the Board Of Health 20 dump this
stun on the Harlem hats, on the ground mat the
matter was nnocuous during that season and 6t for
nse, but when the spring opens we md the guam
uty Increased and the evil II possible. aggravated
In every form, under the very eyes OF the guar
dams Of the health or New YORK. he most
ABSURD AND DANGEROUS FEATURE
In the excuses OF the Health Board is the bold
assertion that this garbage Is not garbage at all,
and that IL becomes harmless In time when COW
cred with earth. The officials claim that the
nning has been carefully analysed, and found TO
be very free from organic matter. This analysis
took place last year. What monstrous piece or
sDsurdity this SIZZLING analysed agar before
~ had an existence under that form
The Department OF Police which sells this garb-
age, takes very high ground ia discussing the SUD-
iecL Mr.. Dlsbecker, chairman OF the street
Cleaning ommlttee, says that the HERALD article
Ia somewhat exaggerated in tone and expression.
lie knows that there is no garbage used. he has
endeavored TO dispose OF the filing In many ways,
such as sending IL to sea, &c. he has advertised
for the safe Of the stun many tImes-twice alto
gether, ne tninks-and has finally given it 10 the
present contractors at $40 per scow load Of $50
cubic yards per scow
JONES, M'oUAID AND GARBAGE.
ON an examination OF the books OF the Police
Department the writer made the interesting dis
coveries tnas the ledger page was headed, "Ashes,
garbage &c." and that Jones and McQuaio had
PAID over $4,000 for "ashes, garbage, &cn and
owed little balance to the department. which
made their account foot mp S14045 This sum
represents l464 scow loads OF "ashes. garbage,
&C.," at $50 cubic yards per scow; so that from
the ofncia records we ind that over s5o 900 cubic
yards Of putrid nlth have been deposited on the
"Harlem mats" between February 0, 1874 ana
January Q, 1875. Turning an onnclal COPY OF the
contract OF Jones and McQuaid with the Depart.
ment OF Public Works Tor draining and nIlng "the
hats" dalad January TO- 1874 we nnd that the