National Republican., 1878-08-24
DIR SANITARY CONDITION.

A few days since we published series OF
nine complaints relating to the sanitary
condition of several localities in the city,
which had been furnished by a correspond
ent who signed himself "S." We then in
vitcd correction, if the statements of our
correspondent were deemed incorrect or un-
Just The Health Officer has very kindly
furnished us with his side and view OF the
case, which, as We then proposed, we cheer
fully give as a simple act of justice to pub
lie Official who has sufficient embarrass-
ments in the discharge of his onerous and
responsible duties under the limited means
afforded him by the Government 10 render
his Office fully efficient, without our aiding
in their augmentation by helping to place
him in an improper light before the public.
The complaints are answered suid'im, 10
wit:
!. The health officer had taken action re-.
garding the pryics at Tweuty-sccond aud +
sire. is northwest, several days prior to the
appearance of this complaint, and the abate-
ment was fully accomplished the day follow
ing its publication. Tho cause Of complaint Is
fully removed.
=. All persons responsible have been notified
and lots In the square have been filled, with the
exception Of public alley, the attention of the
Commissioners having been called to that sew
rral times. Ia such cases the Health Officer
is powerless. The nuisance is one that has
been standing for years, aud the old Board OF
Health, II is insisted, exhausted its authority
in attempts at abatement.
g. The Health Department has no power to
improve the alleys aud as often as the atton'
tiUu of the Commissioners, who have the power
has been called to these cases their rcDly is that
tEcro Is no money provided for improvements
! &c.
1. The Health Officer has no power over the
cause of this complaint, though he has moi
neglected to give 1t attention.
| 3. Tho square between Seventeenth and
| Eighteenth and d aud I streets has been
| drained, and the sewer il now IN good working
order. This IS can easily understand by in'
! spCCtiOn If he Is ignorant Of the fact.
! q. Your correspondent must have been aware
| ii he is sufficiently intelligent To write on this
| subject, that all matters relating to streets
alleys, cutters, &c, come under the care of the
Commissioners, and they are constantly n0ti'
! fled of their condition.
Z. Action had been taken on the subject 0
| this complaint several days prior to its publ
cation, and it has been abatcd.
aud . are answered together The yards
prvics and alleys referred to are IN u section
of tho city that has received regular and a
thorough inspection as the limited force ut thu
command Of tho Health officer will allow A
| to the old sewer running through squares 3i'
to 35l that was the first thing to receive the
attention Of the Health Officer when he tool
charge of that department. Tho condition o
| the locality was personally Inspected by tn
! Health Officer and duly reported to tn
| Commissioners with recommendation 10
| thorough dsinfuction aud covering at present
aud that II be opened aud filled up as soon a
the weather will permit.
We arc assured that the force under til
employ of the Health Officer for street o
outside work is only five men, and is en-
tirely inadequate to accomplish what is cX
pccted and required of that department
II seems to be unwisc to thus cripple a
Office, and cruelty unjust to ccnsurc pub
lie officer for not performing services in eX
cess of the provisions made for that purpose
We find that there are two sides to all thcs
questions and, although the public press /
q convenient medium for their ventilation
and for the qualification of personal grief
and gludges, we are of the opinion that al
these complaints should first 90 to those il
charge of the District government, and then
if neglect wears upon public patience be
yond endurance, the newspaper might b
resortcd to for public benefits, but never