Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-12-08

The impression is steadily gaining
ground with thoughtful people that
the ordinance requiring all the inhabi-
tants Of Memphis to adopt earth closet
contriyances will fail in its prime OBJ
/ ject, namely to improve the sanitary
condition Of the place and the health
of the people at large. There can be
no serious objection to cleaning out
the old vaults, although there should
be an exception in regard 10 new ones
or those recently cleaned. But when
it comes to filing up every vault and
substituting system ofboxes to be used
by over 10000 people, we may well
pause and ask ifa reconsideration is
not in order We do not believe that
the members of the legislative council
have any special pride Of opinions in
regard to this undertaking. If they
have, it will leave them long before
the middle of next summer. They
have been misled, and in time will no
doubt see their mistake. The sooner
the better We would like for these
gentlemen to point to a single city the
size of Memphis, or even a village of
one thousand inhabitants where
the earth closet system has
been successfully introduced. 1t
might possibly be made to
answer in private families where plcn-
ty of servants are employed, we say it
might; but even this becomes doubtful
when we investigate the subject
and begin to take testimony.
When Judge Lea, Of Nashville, a
practical, sensible man was here, few
daysago, he said he probably bought the
first earth closet west of the Allegha
ny mountains, but that it was a nice
thing, requiring much attention, and
would MT answer for general use. We
have other proof of similar charac-
ter here at home Some years ago a
well known doctorof Memphis intro.
duced the system in his private resi-
dence. lie had read Of it, was taken
with The idea, aud bought one
or more Of the most approved boxes.
After patient trial he became dis
gustId with it, because it was SC
offensips and so troublesome, and went
back to the old system Some years
ago, earth closets we're advertised and
offered for sale in this city. All
their advantages in sanitary, econ
omic and hygeuic way were fully and
admirably set forth. Several people
tried them, out none were satisfied,
and in few months the so-caled
CLOSETS were set aside for kindling
wood. One large building was fur
nished with the closets, and
they soon. become 50 offensive
that the tenants had to
move out. More experiments were
made by intelligent people, who had
faith in the system. They all proved
failures. Now how in the name OF
common sense can fifteen thousand
negroes and twenty-five or thirty ythou-
sand white people of all classes and
various degrees of intelligence be ex
pectel 10 revolutionize their habits in
u few weeks and make a success cut Of
that which has heretofore proved a
total failure, when tried on a small
scale? We would advise the legisla
tive council omodiiythis ordinance be-
fore entering upon general expert
ment which will prove ifOublesOme,
expensive and ridiculous, aud have to
be undone at last. Better to correct
mistake before the harm is done
than afterward. That the old
vaClts should be cleaned out
as soon as possible, we think nine
tenths Of the people will agree But
there is no necessity for filling them
up. Fresh oavth, lime and other dis
infcctants could be thrown in for the
present and the vaults used until
sewers are built. More than this is
notnecessary, and will hardly be ac-
plished.
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