The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-21
LOCAL MATTERS.
sanffary Condition OF the CIty.

aan1fary Condition OF the City.
LETTER FRoA THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
OF HEALTH-THE DUTY OF OUR CITIzREs-
FOUL DEPOSITS ON PRIVATE LoTs-suaGEs.
TIoSs AND APPEAL MADE. =.
The following timely paper from the
President Of the Board OF Health should
be carefully read and its suggestions
needed: " r.
OFFICE OF TIE BOARD OF HEALTH
RICHMOND, VA, July Is, 1879.
.Messrs. Editors,LI have been much graft
fed Of .late by the interest displayed by
yourselves and, the other editors of our
daily papers in calling the attention Of the
Council to The necessity OF providing ade-
quate means for the cleansing OF our city.
The rejecting portion Of the community
recognize thatthe force allotted TO this de-
partment is inadequate for the duty re-
auired, aud you who have kindly published
an abstract from our; reports every year
will remember that tue matter has been an
nuaTly brought to the attention Of our City
Council, and that body urged TO increase
that force. The idea OF force OF twelve
persons-half OF whom are boys, the other
hall generally infrm-being considered
competent to clean one hundred miles OF
streets, and possibly as many more OF alleys,
-rtriIros every vne with. surerise.l We baue
been enabled, in consequence ot the pecU-
liar topography OF our city. until the late
dry spell, to keep Richmond in a cleanly
condition. Every shower assisted us in re-
moving offensive materials.
At our earnest solicitation the Committee
on Streets have kindly rendered this depart
meut the use OF one set OF their hands and
carts, but only for one week. We need
more. This force will commence operations
on Monday next. 1t is to be regretted that
this committee did not recognize the neces-
sity of doing more, but we are truly thank
full that they have been rs generous. IRE
opening and Improvement OF the streets
could with safety be deferred for short
time, and the force thus engaged could with
advantage to the public interests in this
emergency be employed in caring for the
health OF the city. 1t is not too late to ask
that it may be done.
While the public are clamnrous that more
energy should be displayed in cleansing the
city they are unmindful Of the Obligation
resting upon them. Our citizens appear
to be ignorant that they owe duty TO the
city in aiding her to observe the require.
ments OF the ordinances. The condition OF
our cutters, the responsibility OF cleansing
which is devolved upon the occupants or
houses. is in great measure neglected !;
even the sidewalks, in many cases, are not
swept. Merchants continue to sweep and
deposit the refuse from their stores in the
cutters. We respectfully suggest that the
head OF each household and each store and
manufacturing interest examine his prem
ises with sanitary view, and put them in
good order. 1t will be found that many Of
~, ~, lao ~.
emanate from foul deposits on private lots.
We ask the cooperation OF our citizens in
maintaining healthy atmosphere.
The masses who compose the can't-gct-
away" portion Of our people have always
extended to US their encouragement in our
efforts to improve the sanitary condition OF
Richmond. Those whose wealth enable
them to leave at the first rumor OF apprc-
hended danger have not the personal inter-
est OF those remaining here. nor have we
secured their assistance to the extent we
reasonably expected.
The above suggestions and appeal are not
induced by the actual existence OF disease
The city has never been Judging from health
returnS) so exempt, ut this season OF the year,
| from all miasmatic affections. The indica-
| tions a. present with us sre most favorable.
Bat with the anxiety about such an epidemic
| us yellow-fever, though ithas never prevailed
here, and such danger is not believed to ex'
ist. out of regard for the public happiness
and confidence, and all departments OF bust.
ness prosperity, it is important to present
the appearance of extreme caution even III
those particulars ordinarily considered un'
essential. The authorities must show that
they arc doing all that human agency car
accomplish to secure the exemption OF the
city. Nothing will so sustain the Cheerful
quietude Of the people as thorough neat
ness and well.rcgulated attention to every
part of the city-only to be secured by ar
efficient force, amply aided by the owner:
OF property on their different premises. In
addition to this systematic manual labor
your assistance, Messrs. Editors, in every
possible form of support and encourage
ment through your columns, Is urgently re
quested. Very respectfully,
j. G.. CABELL,
President Board OF Health.