The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-08-22
County and City Official Press.
Tuesday, August &c, 1875.


The new City Council have elected
all the manicip,l officers designated in
our City Charter with the exception Of
a Health officer Their delay in select
ing some competent physician to fiji
such office il not owing TO any over
sight or indiff erence on their part. but.
as we are informed, 70 the impression
that il is really the duty of the County
Commissioners--ss the county is re-
sponsibIe for the care Of the indigen.
siek-to employ some one to act in that
capacity especially when We are threat
ened with any contsgion, and for the
county, instead of the city 10 incur
whatever expense may be necessary
in the matter Of the construction Of a
pest houst. medical attendance AMI care
Of the sick
This is great mistake on their part
a. an examination Of the act defining
the duty Of the Commissioners will
show that they are not empowered TO
10 anything Of the kind. and that
whatever provision they make for
the INDECENT sick. who would other
wise he dependent upon the charity of
private citizens is by virtue of being
simply vested with the entire
supefintendence OF the poor
that is such of the destitute rs are
unable to take care of themselves.
That class it is their duty to provide
for, and the question of the nature of
their disease does not make any differ
once.
They might b. Authorized so to do,
however. by some special enact ment of
the Legislature, bat it h.s never been
deemed advisabic 10 make all tn So
provisions for a county government,
which become peculiarly appropriate
aud necessary 10 a large aggregation of
people ia what ara called cities, aud
which enact nents could not well he
the subject Of any general law. There
invested With the control If matters
relating 10 the health. q ,uyrnienee. or
safety of citizens, such as provld ing
against oontaeion. the removal If mi
ssnces, the lighting districts. establish
ing grades. making sidewalks, pm
chasing fire engines, etc. These are
among the most important matters
which concern the people of city or
town, and their municipal governments
are always clothed with the special
power TO provide for them.
BY reference TO our charter the Coun.
Gil will find, among other provisions. that
they are authorized TO make regulations
10 prevent the introduction of conta-
gious diseases into this city; to remove
PERSONS affected with such or other dis
cases therefrom. and to provide ample
hospitals for the reception Of such per-
sons as may be removed for such cause
Also that Health Oficer-who is abso-
lately an indispensable official for exc.
cutting such regulations when made-is
sequired TO be- elected by them at the
same time as the City Marshal and
others officers
Their delay in electing such an officer
is unwaranted. aud iuexcusable in view
of the wide spread eontagion which
threatens us--as also is their neglect to
make all needsul regulations to prevent
as far as possible its introduction
amonng us. as well rs TO provide
suitable Accommodations for any cases Of
small pox which may possibly develop
themselves
II TO be hoped that al their next
meeting they will attend 10 this matter
by making all neodful regulations in
the premises, and also eleeting some
competent physician for the position.
who will do his utmost tn prevent Sc
attic from bsing scoursel with that
mos, loa,hsome disease which is now
prevailing 10 50 alarming an extent
along the entire Pacific Coast.