Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-08
Havana Via Cedar kevs,

Telegram brings the report that the loss
OF the steamship Agnes, OF the coast of Flor
ida, will prevent the postal commission from
going to Havana, and that they will return to
Washington at once. This is unpleasant for
the excursiOnists, but they may thank a mer-
ciful Providence that it is no worse. Any
body who undertakes to go to Havana ria
Cedar Keys may think himself fortunate if he
escapes with life. The writer speaks from eX-
peIienee, years ago. In the inhabited world
there is probably not another such God for
saken place as that den of pirates and timber
thieves known as Cedar Keys, Florida 1t is
trap where by cOnnivance Of the affiliated
villains of the Fernandina and Cedar KEYS
railroad tN, the Cedar Kevs hotels y and the
Cellar Keys and Havana steamer line o., vic
Tins are caught and bled under pretence of a
speedy conveyance to Havana, whereas the
whole gang know, there is no steamer in read
mess to convey them. At any rate, that used
to b. the case, and We doubt very much if any
missionary work in that region has effected
Change.
The sO-called harbOr of Cedar Keys is
fraud in confederation according with
everything about the place. 1t is only semi
occasionally that steamer can get in or out
there. The eXcursiOnistS may properly be
welcomed on their return as rescued from the
grave, but in the interests of this community
they must not be permitted to enter Washing
ton without passing a season of quarantine.
We have every respect for the Postmaster
General and the others, but the public health
!, paramount. Cedar Keys is q grave ward of
yellow fever victims, and the hotels y there
swarm with fieaS bugs, and vermiu of every
description. The excursiOni,ts returning from
that plague spot should be held at arms
length by the wives of their bOSom>, until they
are fTmigdtrd, and treated with carbolic acid
and ScTGbbing brushes and fine-toOth combs
aid put in proper sanitary condition for re-
admission to civilized society.
Elsewhere will BE- found the proceedings OF
the Medical Association of the District in
favor of the compile ion of the Medical History
OF the War. The object of the resolution
adopted by the association. will be perceived
when it IS understood that the necessary work
on the business of the Pension bureau is very
much behind, fact mainly due to the reduc-
ton of the clerical force of the Pension bureau
proper and the Surgeon Generals Office, and
the unwillingnesS of Congress in false view
o. economy to restore the reduced number of
clerks. In the appropriation bill the following
clause has been inserted, referring to the force
emp Oyed IN the Surgeon Generals office: land
the entire clerical force now employed on the
Medical and Surgical History of the War.
shall be employed on the work necessary to
the prompt payment of pensions" When it
Il remembered that the whole force employed
on the Medical History of the War does not
amount to 10 clerks-and that the publication
Is viewed by the whole medical profession, as
one OF great Importance to the country and
TO medical science wherever practiced, the
prOprlety OF dlSbanding these skilled Clerks
aud the economy thereof seems doubtful in
deed.