Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-04

AT Two CLOCK yesterday AFTERNOON Ine eA-
ecutive committee of the Auxiliary sanitary
association and the legislative council of the
Taxing District of Memphis met in joint ses-
sion at the courthouse, pursuant to former
agreement, to discuss sanitary matters and
points of difference, and TO agree upon some
plan by which the ASSOCIATION and the city
government could work together in harmony
Gil was represented by President DR.. D. 7.
Porter, W. W. Guy, John Overton, Jr., M.
Burke, r. Galloway, and w. N. Brown
The Auxiliary sanitary association was rep
resented by President J. G. Prestridge, A. D.
LaDgstaff, DIR. R. w. Mitchell, ]. L. Willins,
N. Fontalne, General Cotton Greene, and J.
r. Goodwin. There were also present: DR..
Thornton, president of the board of health
Taxing District-AttorneyC w. Heiskell, and
a number of others, who felt a deep interest
In the proceedings. The conference meeting
was called to order by President Porter, OF
the city executive council, and he, In brief,
stated the object of the meeting.
On being called upon, Colonel Prestidge,
president of the sanitary association, stated
that the object was to work in harmony as to
the sanitary work to be performed. The
views, purposes and objects of the association
have been announced heretofore. They IN
tended to inspect the premises In the different
wards, and make report of all nuisances to
the city officials, by whom such nuisances
may be abated.
DR.. Mitchell believed there was no necessity
for any conflict OF jurisdiction. The object
of the association Is to be auxiliary to the
governing officers of the city. We should first
make thorough sanitary survey or house
inspection of the city. When this is done,
they will know what to do. The name OF
every good citizen should be on the roll of
the sanitary association; every citizen should
belong to the association. The sanitary Wis
dom is not contained In the heads OF one or
two men. They desired every man to be
good sanitarian; let the people be educated
up to that point. The association intended
10 publish small pamphlet containing I'M
portant sanitary instruction. The sanitary
literature shall be generally circulated as
means of instruction IN sanitary science.
Some of the work to be done by clerks and
others will have to be paid for. The efforts
we nave already made has had a good eft
feet. The inspecting officers should receive
authority from President Porter, of the city
government, to make such inspections. The
auxiliary sanitary association is to be per-
manent institution.
General Cotton Greene, of the sanitary as
ISOLATION, concurred in what had been said
by the other gentleman. They came now as
citizens to cooperate with the city govern
ment, which Is now unable to do much. The
city government might be able to put the
city In a good sanitary condition In three
months, but the auxiliary sanitary assocla-
ton desired to put 1t In that condition within
three weeks. The people should be edu-
Gated up to the point Of being good sani-
tarians. The questions of sewerage, con-
structing drains, erecting buildings and other
things are most important. The sanitary
condition of the city should at once be at
tended to by the authorities and the asso-
citation.
Mr.. Fontalne was present to hear. and not
to make speech. He came here to be en-
lightened on the matter.
Mr.. j. r. Goodwin would not discuss sanl-
tary matters; he knew very little about them.
The people ought to be educated in sanitary
matters, as to habits and modes of living,
and thereby protect health. He desired to
sustain the city government, and would not
engage In any contest with the city govern
ment that might impair its usefulness.
Mr.. Willins thought that a committee of
each body could discuss and settle all mat
ters.
Mr. Burke, of the city government, thought
it unnecessary to run two sanitary committees
| in the city. The city government cannot
shIrk the responsibility as to the cleanliness
of the city. Can there be two organizations
of a sanitary character, and work in har-
mony?
DIR. Porter said the officers of the Auxiliary
sanitary association could be empowered by
him tDr. Porter to inspect premises and
make arrests IT necessary. 1t would not do
to send out citizens to inspect premises. The
inspecting officers should be furnished with a
badge by the association or with a star by the
city authorities.
President Prestidge, of the sanitary asso-
citation, said they had a precedent as to hay
ing two sanitary organizations In the Auxll-
larry sanitary association OF New Orleans,
which organized because of the inability of the
city government to maintain sanitary affairs
In that city. Both sanitary organizations can
get along very we'll together and in harmony.
The sanitary association Is auxiliary to the
| city government board of health. As to the
| appointments of ward sanitary officers, when
| he made them, he would advise President
Porter of the city govern ment OF such appoint
ments, and those officers would report not
only o.the association, but also to the district
| government when arrests had to be made
| or nulsances to be abated.
The matter as to supplies, mules, carts,
etc., necessary for sanitary business was dis
cussed by DIR. Mitchell, of the committee on
sanitation, and other gentlemen. The ques-
ton seemed to be which organization should
pay for such supplies and which organization
should put them to work and control such
| work.
DIR. Thornton, president of the board of
health, stated his views as to the organza-
! ton OF the auxiliary sanitary association. He
understood the object of the association was
| to assist the city government in conducting
! sanitary affairs. He did not anticipate any
| conflict of Jurisdiction.
Dstrict-Atto Heiskell asked permission
| to say that there can be DO possible cause for
| any conflict between the two bodies. The
| city government and the sanitary association
can always advise each other in the future as
| to what Is necessary to do in sanitary way.
| He thought committee should be raised by
each body to confer and settle all arrange
| ments.
Mr.. Langstaff asked President Porter to
IL. -
| duct sanitary affairs without the aid of the
sanitary association; if the government by the
| collection of taxes, could raise sufficient
| money without calling upon the auxiliary
| sanitary association for funds?
| President Porter-We would like to have
| your money.
Mr.. Lanffstaff-Tbat is a human feeling in
| which every body concurs, but it was unnec-
| essary for the sanitary association to 90
| around and solicit subscriptions, if the CITY
| government was able by tax-collection to
pave the streets and do all other sanitary
| work.
General Greene said the auxiliary sanitary
association could use its money for other pur-
poses necessary, in order to carry out the
objects of the association.
The matter took another wide range of
discussion as to the ownership of property, in
which discussion Mr.. Overton, jr., DR.. Por-
| ter, Mr.. Goodwin, DR.. Thornton and others
| PARTICIPATED LII. OooWln favored appoint
ing committees to confer and settle all minor
matters that seemed to be IN controversy be-
tween the city authorities and the auxiliary
sanitary association.
Mr.. LanRstaff-I wish to ask DIR. Porter if
he will use the mules and carts purchased by
the auxiliary association, and which belong
to the association.
DR.. Porter-Yes, sir. We have them, are
using them, and we are thankful for them,
| General Greene said the CITY government
must exhaust its funds and collect its revenues
for paving streets, ETC., without taking into
consideration at all the existence of the auxil-
larry sanitary association. The association
will give the city government its funds in adj
dition to what the government itself collected
In taxes and expended.
Mr.. Godwin-There Is no other purpose
than sanitary which the money collected by
the auxiliary sanitary association could be