The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-27
APPALLING INHUMANITy.

MRS. RATIoAN's MATERNAL DEvoTIoN-HER
NEIGHBoRs' cRURLTY-sHAlfEFuL NEGLECT OF
THE JERSEY CITY AUTHORITIES.
Tho OF the unfortunate woman, Mrs. Ratigan,
of No Al First street, Jersey City, deep
miseration in every quarter of the city. Tho house
in which she resided belongs to Peter Huck, and il
situated near the Pennsylvania Railroad On Thurs
dsv the roof caught IRE from the sparks Of locomo
tive and the flames spread rapidly that the in
mates had to vncate the promises. Among the occu-
pants Mrs. Ratigan, whose child was suffer
ing from smallpox. The afflicted mother
rcd hcr child down the stairway and into
the street, having taken the precaution to wrap
It In miserable, threadbare quilt When she entered
the street several spectators moved by the sight but
unaware OF the proximity OF any contagion, advised
the poor woman to sock refuge with hcr helpless bur-
den in ono OF tho neighboring housea She tried to
obtain admission IN ono house after another, but was
refused in all, the residents in great dread OF
the pcstcnce which proved fatal in the city during
the past year. At last the wrctched woman laid her
precious burden tho sidewalk and sat down with
her under her child's head A crowd collected
around through curiosity. but tho
word smallpox" was passcd.through the assemblage
the curious spectators hastily dispersed leavngn ono
but the iirenen who were too much occupied 10 have
any time Tor sympathy. When the fire extin.
gushed and the dcbrs cleared away she asked sym
pahzing to make intercesson for her with the
ncghbors. The kind Samaritan did so, but without
success and as she herself lived Jersey City
Heights she could not with safety for the suffering
boy have him removed thther, though she offered the
OF her home As final resort Mrs Ratgan carried
entered she remarked OF the neighbors. ssGod
help the distressed this Is the last Of my poor child"
The person addressed then offered to for city ply
stefan and have tho child conveyed to tho hospital but
tho mother replied, ''Oh no. no; have watched him
day and night, ana he shan't leave me
THE SOD COVERS HIM."
10 lay him down. but 1t was thoroughly drenched with
water and the sunlight shone through the roof Seeing
there no place for her within, she betook herself
10 wagon standing near tho house, and
, .as she made ,,a bed for the sufferer
husband Keeping guard. The latter ~ secured red
the neghborhood yesterday In search Of quarters
unless he rented entire house, which no unable
TO do All this occurred In thicky populated locality
within easy reach OF the city Board Of Health, the
coanty Board and the Health Inspector yet assist
came from any quarter A smallpox hospital is
maintained at great expense by the county at Snake
Hill and horses ambulance have been furnished the
Board OF Health at the public expense to meet not lust
such this which are, happily OF rare occur
renee, but cases Of contagion which likely TO prove
dangerous in thckly populated districts. Public
tention has been repeatedly called through the COL
umns OF the HERALD during the past two years the
criminal negligence OF the health authorities for tho
support OF whom the city pays largo amount Mr..
Kecncy. one OF tho Police Commissioners, remarked
few days ago. to magistrate In the Third District
This whole system that governs Jersey City Is rotten
was appointed Police Commissioner. There is
a job in everything. even tho smallest article pur-
chased; and since called attention to IL am COM
pletcy ignored
The Smallpox Hospital at Snake Hill costs At least
ST. 900 year for salaries, medicine horses and ambu-
anccs, and yet comparatively lew patients enter II.
The total amount expended by the city and county for
health purposes exceeds $50 600, not mention the
cxorbitsnt sums paid the Charity Hospital which
contains only few patients and yet the cost to tho
city is over 800 000 These matters bought to
the attention OF successive grand jures, but owing
the system OF selecting Jurors by commission, no In
dicment has been found Herewith.