Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-07-26
Quarantine.

We were absent from town when
the deliberations took place which
resulted in the passage of the quar-
antine ordinance by the Board of
Mayor and Aldermen. In conse-
quence of our absence we have had
some difficulty in ascertaining ex-
actly what was done. After some
trouble in making enquiry we have
been enabled to state the transac-
tions as follows:
On Monday and Tuesday last
three meetings took place in refer
ence to the prevalence of yellow
fever in Memphis and the arrival of
many persons from that city in
Clarksville-one of the Board of
Health on Monday, a public meet
ing on Tuesday and a called meet
ing of the City Council on Tuesday
night.
The Board of Health at the first
of these meetings adopted a modi-
fed arrangement drafted on the
plan recommended by the Sanitary
Council of the Mississippi Valley.
The following is copy of it:
Whereas, The city of Louisville and nearly
all points between GAINESVILLE and Mem phiS
have established quarantine against Mem
phiS and,
Whereas, The Louisville and Nashville
railroad has instructed its agents at Mem
phis to transport the poor of Memphis to
any point along the line of that road ia
Tennessee at half-fare rates and,
Whereas, Such action is calculated to fill
this city with refugees, which, owing to our
want Of tenement dwellings, will force such
refugees into camp, or bring upon them eX-
posture and suffering which the city has not
the cOnvenienceS % relieve, besides being
the means of endangering the health of this
community therefore, be it
Resolved by the Board Of Health OF the
city of GAINESVILLE, That on and after to-day
July 2D a quarantine be established against
Memphis, Tenn, and that the Health Off
Ger of GAINESVILLE be requested to consult by
telegraph with the State Board of Health,
with a view to carrying ont such regulations
as may be deemed best for the fuTtherance
Resolved. That the Health Officer recon-
mend to the State Board the name of some
physician to examine all trains coming into
the city from Memphis, udder rules adopted
by the State Board of Health.
On Tuesday, however, telegram
was received from Memphis en-
quiring for Il good location for
camp to accommodate 1000 poor
refugees from Memphis. This ex-
cited great alarm and Occasioned
the calling of a public meeting in
the city at which the whole subject
of quarantine was rather tumultu-
ously discussed. Every opinion was
put forward and eagerly maintained,
from that which condemned all
quarantines as selfish and unchris-
tian, to that which absolutely eX-
cluded all persons from suspected
districts. The discussion ended in
the passage of a resolution calling
upon the Mayor to call a meeting of
the City Council for the purpose of
passing a strict quarantine Ordi-
nance.
This was done. The Council met
after supper, and, after much con-
flicting argument, passed the follow
ing ordinance
Be il ordained by the city of GAINESVILLE:
Section |. That a quarantine is hereby
established against all persons, freightS and
baggage coming from the city of Memphis
Tenn. and all other infected places.
Sec. >. That no passenger, freight nor bag
gage, from the city of Memphis or other in
fected places shall be permitted or allowed
TO pet OFF AT GAINESVILLE, or be allowed to he
put of. until after the expiration of ten days
from the time such person or freight left said
city of Memphis or other infected places.
Sec g. That anyone violating this Ordi-
nance shall be arrested, and fined not less
than S25 90 nor more than $50 90.
Sec. l. That the City Board OF Health shall
see that this ordinance is enforced.
This ordinance shall take effect on and |
after its passage, the public welfare requlr-
ing it. - -
G.. A. LIGON, Mayor.
W.A.JACKsoN,' Recorder.
On Thursday evening a called
meeting ofthe City Council arranged
for harmonious action between that |
body and the Board of Health.
They will cooperate on the basis of |
the city ordinance, and the Board |
of Health is authorized to make |
outside of the city for
any cases of infectious disease which !
may arise here, at the city's expense. |