The Russellville Democrat., 1879-08-14
STATE BOARD oFHEALTH.

| The subject O1 DOaru O1 nealtn for the state, as presented by the proclamation of the governor in yes. terday's Gazette, has been too sud denly sprung upon us to admit of our giving considered opinion in regard to it. The action of the gov ernor, we believe, was to a great ex- tent influenced by the failure of the cities and towns on White river to prevent q steamboat direct from Memphis bringing and landing a load of freight and passengers in the heart of the State. Without the CO., operation and assistance of those places Little Rock, perhaps, was powerless to act. In consideration ot this fact then, we suppose Gov. Miller felt called upon to exercise his powers to their extreme limit. He certainly did so in good cause.
 We do not now propose to discuss his authority in the premises, nor do we propose to question the neces- sity or advisability of the establish ment of state board of health at this late day in the matter of quar- antining the State, but there is one point upon which we wish to be emphatic. We wilTthever give up our city board of health, or in any manner consent to a eurtailment of its powers, as far as the security of this place IS concerned. We have tried tive have found it faithful and so far it has been successful. We shall insist upon its continuing to act, and to protect this city, and, as far as in it's power lies, to protect all other portions of the State. We are not willing to swap horses until we are safely over the stream. As the matter now stands, we have the power to protect ourselves In our own hands, and we do not think our citizens will, under any circumstan- ces, part with that power.
 The members composing the State board of health are all gentlemen of character in their profession and of individual worth in social life, but we know the views of but few of them upon the subject of quarantin- ing, or, if they were all right upon that question, of the power they could summon to support and enforce those views. This is not question of personality--of friendship or ia voritism it is the gravest ot all questions, the question of life and death.
 While we purpose to support and uphold our city board of health, and while we believe their conduct has been such as to inspire the confidence and win the support of nine tenths of the people of the State, we wish here to give them word of caution. We see pretty clearly just now, in the not remote future,' difficulty brewing. If it commences, it's con tinuance and extent, and its disas- trous effect upon the whole State, will only be limited by the sturdy good sense and prudence of the par ties in power. The disposition of doctors to disagree is an acknowl- edged adage, and the imminency of the danger before us constitutes every man judge andaa critic, no matter how humble his condition. The members of the various boards of health, should any conflict or con fusion arse, will be held responsible for their conduct, without regard to their past characters or claims upon the public. We trust, therefore, that our city board of health will act with all due caution, and as far as possible harmonize with our state board. If concerted action is had good will follow-if not, then evil of the direst character. We look for ward to the result, considering the high standing of the members of both the city and state boards, with much confidence.
 The above is what the Gazette has to. say about the action of the Governor in calling into active duty the State board of health. Without expressing any opinion as to the propriety or practicability of the move, it strikes us very clearly that the Gazette is right in it's expressed determination to insist upon the continuance of the Little Rock board of health, and in giving that board its moral support and encourage ment. The State board of health is scattered throughout the State and to bring them together will incur no inconsiderable expense; their views upon quarantine are unknown; and if brought into active duty they will perhaps do no more than the Little Rock board are doing Why then make the swap?
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 BROAD ITO RUSSEELNILLE."