National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-13
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Bills AuprOvsd-vital Statistics:

The Board of Health met at their rooms last
evening. In the absence Of the president, Mr.
John Marbury was called to the chair.
Mr.. Marbury, from the finance committee, re-
ported bills amounting to $ls.24, which were ap-
proved and ordered to be paid.
The frame structure and premises on G, be-
tween Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets north
west, were condemned as nuisance, and the
heath officer ordered to abate it.
The register submitted his report of mortality
in the District for the week ending March 8,
which show Total deaths, 100; male white, Is; fe-
male, 10; male colOred 10; female, Il minors, male
white, IL; female, 10; male colored, IL; female,
~. OF the above number 7 were under l month
and 100 years. Fffty-five Of the deceased were
natives Of this District. The principal causes of
Whooping cough, 4: phthisis puimonaIis, n; apo,
plexy, i commissions, 8; tetanus /; congestion Of
the BRAIN 2; disease Of brain 2; dropsy, 1; pneu-
mOnis, Is; congestion Of the lungs 4; astheria, 8;
exposure, l. The mortality is 10 more than last
week, or at the rate of 1914 per 1000 per annum;
1887 per cent Of the deaths were from zymo.ic
diseases q o. from constitutional BIT from local.
943 from developmental and 377 from violence.
Rate Of mortality of the white population 25O
per 900 per annum, while the mortality ofthe COL
ored population. was 6S 90 per 900 for the same
period. Rate OF decrease OF the white population
by deaths over births, 3.S1 per 1000; while the
decrease Of the colored population by deaths over
births was $500 per loo per annum. Marriages,
whites, cOlOred; total, Is. Births SO; white
male, p; female, "a; colored male, Q; female, I.
ing among cOlored children, and thought some
effort should be made TO arrest IT,
On motion, Prof Langston, Drs. Bliss and
, eIIi were appointed committee to confer with
the colored preachers, teachers and others, and
see if something cannot be done to check the
heavy mortality among them.
The board then went into executive session.
THE CONTRACT FOR REMOVING NIGHT-soIL, ETC.
The committee-Drs. Bliss and Verdi and Pro
fessor LaDgston-to whom were referred the bids
for removing night-soil, garbage and dead ami
IL boo ar,hV,n al
and minority reports. The former (Dr. Bliss and
Professor LangstOn) reported in favor Of award
ing the contract for two years to H. +. Turner
Co., Of Baltimore, they being the lowest bidders
for that time. This report was adopted, with an
amendment that the company build at their own
expense a depot for their use, Dr.. Verdi voted in
the negative, and for the following reasons:
DR.. vERDI's REPORT.
WASHINGTON, March Il, 1875.
AS member Of the committee to examine and
report on the several bids for the removal Of
night soil, garbage and dead animals, and as one
who has we'll considered the subject in consulta-
ton with his ellow-members, but who have not
contract, have the honor to submit the following
as minority report
!. That W.P. Wattrous bids to remove the night
soil, garbage and dead animals, as per advertise
ment for proposals from the Board Of Health for
three years. at q compensation Of 4695 per
year; that H. Holmes proposes 10 do the same for
Sc 500; and that II. F. Turner & Co., OF Baltimore
propose to remove the same at compensation
Of s.; 800 per year for one, two or three years.
form the work to the satisfaction Of the Board Of
Health, namely, without creating o nuisance, is
entitled 10 equal consideration.
3. That all things being equal, l consider 1t the
duty of the Board Of Health to award the con-
tract to citizens Of the District Of Columbia.
whenever consistent with public interest, mas
much as they are the taxpayers from whom a
part Of this appropriation is TO come.
In view Of the above did not concur with the
report Of the majority of the committee, namely
Mr.. LanRston and DR.. Bliss. in awarding the con-
tract above mentioned to H. F. Turner & Co., Of
Baltimore, for two years, at 81, 500 per snnum,
they being the highest Of the lowest four bidders
also could not concur with the resolution
passed by the majority Of said committee, provid-
ing that the contract be awarded for two years,
for the reason that the effect Of said resolution is
TO expunge the three lowest bidders.
also could not concur in the awarding the con-
tract to H. F. Turner Go. at the rate of s., 500
per annun, making an aggregate of SIS, $50 for
The two years, while Mr.. Wattrous' bid is 3, 695
per annum, making an aggregate Of Sl4,OS5 fOr
three years.
1 also could not concur in awarding the con.
tract to II. F. Turner & 20. for two years, while
three years.
The Board of Health having agreed to no par.
tculcr mode OF transportation, namely, by water
or rail- one mode is as good as another, and there
fore no preference should be given in awarding
the contract to either.
Lastly, that n three-year contract is more favor
abla to the interests Of tho people of the District
Of Columbia so long as it compares so fayorably
in proposed expenses with the bids Of one or two
years as demonstrated above.
In view Of the foregoing recommend that the
Board of Health award the contract to w. p.
WattrOus, and, in his falling, to W. Holmes, aud,
in the failing Of the latter, to J. V. W. Vandeu-
slble bidder. 7. S. VERDI, NJ. D.
After lengthy discussion the doors were re-
opened and IL was announced that the contract
had been awarded to H. T. Turner & 20. for ten
years, at compensation OF 81, 500 per annum.