Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-11
THE EVENING STAR.
Watching the Plague.
NOTES OF THB PRESENT BPIDBMIC-IN TIs NJ IN
PHIS CAMPS,
ourier- 'ournal Memphis Letter


ourier- 'ournal Memphis Lete,
Ihings are bad enough. our population is
greatly reduced, and nearly every place OF bu5i-
ness is closed. The thieves have been cut on
give way TO men governed by public policy, not
senllment-by systems, not on hand indlscrlmi-
na'e charlues by organized force, not a rabble
their command, and whose chief aims are TO
make the disbursements equal the receipts
hatlons are Issued upon morning reports only
anu 10 no one Within the city limits Colonies
may cIuo together, and, IL neceSSItous report
their roll to headquarters, upon which rations
Will be issued from the nearest SUNNY agent
outside. People are not allowed to come into
the city on any pretense, and there is no trafic
whatever. There are colonies Ia every direc-
ton, and these, for their own safety forbid
their Inhabitants 10 visit the city. None are
allowed TO pass their camps, at the peril of
their lives. Every camp Is a law unto itself
and the dread OF infection has nerved every one
TO strict quarantine.
our main object this year is to feed the needy
at the smallest cost, protect life ana property
and cut down the death rate. This We propo,e
TO do at all hazards. SoreheadS, ambitious Ia
manitarians, drunken doctors and nurses, a al
thieves must stand aside. The authorities nave
things In their own hands, and intend 10 brl :
out the plan foreShadowed In the pu5licati3 Il
sent abroad. We have the force To d. 1t. al I
are not dependent upon any one element. Tle
disease is spreading. Many die without ule
city who are not reported There IS mlcl suf
Ieflng, and while perfect system reigns 10 every
a1Pol1-Oht, TIC uciuduQ upon our treasury Is
ia excess OF our receipts. The negroes do not
Duuge, ana we have followed the line OF l.
treaty until we have well nigh come to the con.
cluSlon that the bayonet and fire may be our
last resort. The authorities have the force. aad
When III snail become necessary are determined
10 act vigorously. Tue sick cannot be removed:
me wen must go or Starve. When this extreme
remedy shall be applied depends uoon the
spread OF this disease.
The majority OF people, including even the
wealthy class, would conceal the fact of sick
ness In their households, save to confidential
family physician, In order to avoid removal.
The negroes have greater horror OF hospitals
and physicians than OF the disease ITSELF aud
Inc writer has not only known them TO rob the
hospitals at Camp Williams by night and con-
Vey their SICK TO Memphis, a distance OF five
miles, thereby killing the patient but have
mad them die In their tents rather than N AXE
tfelr sickness known to the surgeon In charge
and In two Instances, the friends Of the stricken
men congregated around the litter carriers
and with pistols and knives, forced them TO
call Tor squad OF soldiers to aid In the re-
moval OF the sick. There is but little left by
local authorities for this great and wise
national board OF health to do with It's money
but give advice, attend diligently to their ardu-
Gus duties at quarantine stations, and draw
their salaries daily. Where they have benefited
Memphis one dollar they have damaged her
They have done nothing but fumigate letters
and certain baggage after all the Inhabitants
here fed the city and granted tickets OF leave 10
refugees without examination, knowing tina
there Is no Known means OF detecting fnfecJion
where The applicant Is present, and where the
disease Is apparent there is no applicant for the
reason that the disease proStrates him at that
stage OF Infection. So the outside world ha !,
nothing to thank this mushroom engine for
their delfVerance from Infected cases,