Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-27

THE YELLOW FEVER SCARE.
The people of the city were unduly excited
yesterday by the indiscreet-we had almost
i said crimInaliy indiscreet-publication of a
report that the steamer John Porter had been
ordered by the authorities of Vicksburg to
leave .zthat Iport, and was en- route to tais
city with several cases of yellow fever aboard.
This wis wholly sensational and is not true
The Porter was not ordered away by the
authorities Of Vicksburg; on the contrary,
after landing two Ceases Of yellow fever, both
of which died at the marine hospital, she
went on her way, but losing another hand by
death from yellow-fever, returned, was al
lowed to land the body for burial and then
+ was thoroughly overhaued fumigated and
disnfected by order of the health officer of
the city. Then, again, the Porter was not
en- route for Memphis Her destination is
Pittsburg. Plain language, not intended
TO excite and alarm, would have
stated that she was expected to pass this
point en- route for Pittsburg, and might, if
not prevented by the board of health, land
here, and so convey to US the infection Of
yellow-fever. But the damage has been
done. The people have been excited
TO degree beggaring anything we have ex-
: perienced since 1873, when we were caught
by the yellow-fever without any preparation
or anything ike an intelligent intention in
regard to the night course to pursue Hap
ply, this is not now the case. difference
of opinion between Dr. Mitchell on the one
hand, and Doctors John Erskine and
II. F. Brown on the other, as to the propriely
of establishing quarantine two months ago,
must not be construed into want of pre-
paredness on the Part of the board of health
for a crisis such as the presence of a case of
a yellow-fever might precipitate upon us.
Only a few days ago The board of health
II gave evidence that it was a live organization
by disinfecting thoroughly and cleaning up
generally, so TO maintain the usual stan
dard of health and put the city in condition
to fight successfully with the yellow-fever
or any other epidemic disease that might be
imported from abroad. II also, yesterday,
notified the mayor that quarantine must be
established, as yellow-fev prevailed in New
Orleans. The mayor, neglecting to obey the
ordinance in such ease made and
a provided, did not, as he should
have done, issue his proclamation declaring
quarantine established and the general coun-
Gil utterly and inexcusably failed of its
duty, since it failed to met and provide for
quarantine, and thus again failed in the per-
formance Of a duty which the press of the
city and the people have with rare unanimity
agreed was one in the performance of which
there should be no delay. We trust that If
. by this morning at ten o'clock, at which hour
the council should be called together by the
mayor, steps are not taken by that body TO
provide so much protection against epidemic
disease as quarantine will afford, public
meeting will be called, to be held at the
chamber of commerce, at which the recusant
representatives shall be held up to merIted
reprobation, and at which the neces-
sary funds may be subscribed
to maintain quarantine until the council is
forced by an indignant public to do so. For
nearly two months the APPEAL has urged
the establishment Of quarantine as a sanitary
D. recaution that would greatly contribute to
prevent anything like the dread-scare which
yesterday, without any reasonable cause, took
possession Of our people. We have appealed
to the council to provide for the establish
ment of quarantine, petitions TO the same eff
feet have been sent mp to that body by the
merchants, and a special committee of tie
council. after hearing all that was possible in
regard TO it. reported in favor Of it. But the
council was neither moved by the APPEAL
and the other city papers, by the prayers
and entreates OF the people, nor by
the report of it's own committee. 1t refused
TO establish quarantine. 1t almost con-
temptuously disregarded the arguments so
reasonably and seusbly advanced by DR..
Mitchell, the president of the board of health,
sustained by press aud people, and fatty re-
fused to concede 70 the citizens what they
unanimously demanded and good sense dc
ta.sd was essential to their safety from cpl
dedfic disease. And even now, when Drs.
Erskine and Brown, who for so long refused
70 give their consent to the establishment OF
quarantine, concede it's necessity and are
ANXIOUS Tor it, the council refuses to come to.
0ether and quiet the public apprehension by
providing for what all the doctors will now
agree is necessary 60 maintain at least the
public confidence. What they thus refused
Yesterday, we trust they viii provide for by
ten o'clock this morning, 10y which time
Mayor Flippin should call them together
We name thls hour. because, if moth
ing Is done 10y the city, the peopl-
must do something. u Will not do 10 let
Saturday come and 20 without action. II
such an emergency twenty-four hours is an
age. w cannot afford to remain here unit
Monday, the prey O.. increased excitement
and OF damaging reports spread through tn
country to our disadvantage, detriment and
injury. As we have said, there is no occa
sion for either excitement or alarm, but the
people beng excited over the reports
already spread, it Is duty the city
government owes those whom it governs Z
do all that It can to ailay that excitement
dread and apprehension. The establishment
of quarantine will go far toward it. This, |
followed up with daily bulletin as to tn
condition Of New Orleans or wherever els,
the fever has made or may make its appear
ance, with the daily enforcement OF the san
itary regulations and ordinances OF the city
will allay present fears and prevent the re
currence Of a scare Ike that which yesterday
prevailed throughout the city. scare who'll
grouudless and one that may 70 many have
hsen attended with serious consequences,