Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-01
HELP FOR HEALTH
And Words OF Cheer-Generous sub
scripti0ns by the Merchants To-
ward a Fund for Defraying
the Expenses OF the
Health Board.
Speeches N ade at the Meeting OF the
Cotton ExchaDge-POinted Refiec-
tfOns by Judge smith Upon the
City Fathers-A spirited
speech by Mr.. N. ID.
Menken.

In response to the call printed IN the AP-
PEAL yesterday morning, large number OF
representative business men OF Memphis as
sembled at the cotton exchange at the APP
pointed hour, when the meeting was organ
ICED by calling Mr.. David P. MADDEN to the
chair, Mr.. John S. Toof acting as secretary.
On assuming the chair, Mr.. Hadden an
nounced the object of the meeting, en-
bodied In the published call, to be for the
purpose of taking action in regard to the
present sanitary condition of the city, and to
devise such means, End contribute such aid
as might be deemed necessary toward assist
ing the board of health In the work of placing
the city in the most perfect condition OF
safety against the threatened approach of the
dread plague, yell0w-fever.
DR.. Erskine, the city health officer, being
present, was called upon, and made the state
ment that the city was at present in a better
sanitary condition than Tor years past, yet the
board of health was without the funds neces-
sary for effective work in thoroughly cleaning
the streets, alleys, etc. He spoke of the ne
cessity OF prompt action now, and If the
funds were placed at his disposal he would
be able to put the city in a perfect condition
of security.
Dr. Saunders, president of the board of
health, was called up, to which he responded
at some length, in relation to the Importance
and the manner of dIsinfecting the city and
preventing the introduction of yellow-fever.
should be emptied, but all others should be
disinfected. AS to front yards, cellars, gut
tiers, premises, ETC.. they should be cleaused.
The alleys and streets must be cleansed and
disinfected rapidly. After once cleansed they
can be easily kept In good order. To cleanse
these from one to two hundred men are need
ed in the next twenty four hours. The great
outlay of money Is demanded at once. Ten
thousand dollars will necessarily cleanse
the town in the next ten days. After this,
the monthly expenditures will be compare
lively small The board of health proposes
to fight yellow-fever, and will be no respecter
of person or persons. Protect the town by
cleansing it. 1t has been noted by scientific
men that the fever comes through infected
cars, freight and boats. The board of health
will not permit infected cars or freight to be
landed here, nor steamers from the infected
districts to land here. All freight coming
here after the third day of August, from IN
fected districts, will not be received. A
strict watch will be kept on all sick persons
and passengers who come here. The board
of health is taking every precaution to pre-
vent the introduction of yelloW-fever. He
predicted that there would be no yellow-fe-
yer here. They meant business, had no
friends to reward, and asked the citizens to
cooperate heartily with the board of health.
There is no yellow fever nor anything like
yellow-fever in the city of Memphis.
DR.. Brown, secretary of the board of
health, was called upon to say something,
but he cut it short with the very sensible re-
mark that the meeting had been called, not
to talk, but to act.
DIR. Paul Otey thought it a very appropriate
occasion for the Howard association to con-
tribute portion of the fifty thousand dollars
on hand toward protecting the city against a
yellow-fever invasion.
Mayor John R. Flippin urged prompt ac-
ton on the part IF the citizens. He stated
that the city had but eight thousand dollars
on hand for sanitary purposes, which he
thought not sufficient to accomplish what was
essentially necessary to security. He was of
opinion that if prompt action in aid to the
board OF health was not given, the city would
surely become prey 10 the yellow scourge
which had already become epidemic at New
Orleans.
Colonel J. T. Trezevant moved that COM
mlttee be appointed to wait on the Howard
association to ascertain if that society would
not contribute to the work in hand. The mo-
ton was not seconded.
The following resolutions were offered by
Mr.. G.. 2. Hunt:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting 1t is
essential to the well-being of the community that
every provision of the sanitary ordinance of the city
Resolved, That an executive and finance commit
tee, to consist OF live members, be appointed by the
chairman OF this meeting whose duty it shall be 10
as may be necessary to eecualy aid the authorities
condition. The said committee shall consult and
co operate with the board Of health In the carrying
out Of sanitary measures All funds coming into
1t and upon the order of the chairman.
once. and that each member of the Committee be
furnished with copy; and also that list be opened
at the exchange.
The resolutions elected considerable dis
cussion, during which the reflections upon
the Howard association were quite severe.
Colonel b. Z. Anderson urged the appro-
priateness OF the occasion for the Towards
to come up with liberal contribution. The
money was given to the association for Just
such purposes as the present. Let us try to
get the association to do this, and he would
assist them. There is no question but what
the board of health, II aided, can prevent
the introduction Of yellow fever. Memphis
could not stand yellow-fever. He hoped the
association would shell out.
Mr.. j. G. Lonsdale, jr., the secretary of the
the associations charter, which prohibited
the appropriation of its funds except for char
liable purposes.
Colonel Trezevant thought the association
beneath contempt because it would not give
up its money for sanitary purposes.
Judge Henry G. Smith stated that the
Howard association had no right to a charter,
but his reasons for that statement were not
very clear. He wanted to know why the city
had not done anything, and why the officials
had not taken means to guard against the ap-
proach of yellow-fever. Why has not the
city appropriated, and why will it not appro-
pirate mora than the pitiful sum of eight
thousand dollars for this purpose? He could
not understand 1t. Judge Smiths remarks
applied with cruel force to Mayor Flippin.
He said we paid these officers, and they
were anxious to Fill the Offices
He knew the city could raise ten thousand
dollars or more. Start the subscription paper,
and who will give the money? We have rich
men in this town, a great many of them, but
vast number of men who cannot raise any
money. He got out of heart when the pub
lie functionaries failed to do their duty, but
waited until the scare came and then asked
others to take care of the city. He favored
the appointment of the committee, for he did
not know that the city authorities would do
it if they could.
Colonel Ed Belcher questioned the author
ity of the association to take the money dona-
ted by the citizens and reserve it for specific
purposes.
Mr. N. d. Menken did not believe the cti-
zans of Memphis had yet become objects of
charity He urged that the proper way to
raise the amount needed in the present ext
gency was by taxation. There is sufficient
means among our citizens to advance all the
money needed. He was not in favor of put
ting the Howard association in the condition
sought. If the Towards deem the fund sa-
cred let it alone. He wanted thefmayor to
state the amount needed, and he (Menkep)
would advance five hundred dollars, or one
thousand dollars if needed.
Mr.. c. w. Goyer thought the city, and not
the merchants, should subscribe the money,
and unless so done the city authorities should
be held responsible.
Mayor Fhppiu replied to Judge Smith s re-
Elections upon the management of the city's
affairs, and expressed regret at the judges
betrayal of a strange ignorance about the or
ganization of the city government, which had
done all In Its power IN this matter. He re-
ferred to the budget, and said that the city
council had no power to change or modify it
after it was made out. Judge Smiths refec-
tons upon the city officials was ill-timed and
ill-advised, for they had not met for crimina-
ton or recrimination. AS to the general san
itary condition of the city, 1t is better than it
has ever been. The city has no Do Rer. under