Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-24
Board of Aldermen.

Special Meeting-Discussion on Vaccfna-
ton and smaIlpOx-An Appropriation
to the Board OF Health of 81, 5OO-Other
Matters of Interest.
A special meeting of the Board of Alder
men was held last evening, His Honor Mayor
Robertson presiding.
There was no roll call, but the minutes of
the last meeting were read and approved.
Petitions were read and referred as follows:
Of Mrs. M. L. Parsons to raise roof of
frame building at 215 Orange street; of Jas.
E. English for Belgian blocks between and
on both sides of horse railroad tracks in
Church street; of A. C. Smith to erect
frame addition to shop, corner Putnam and
Cedar streets.
Resolution empowering City Clerk to have
modification of the city charter printed in
two or more daily papers was referred to the
Committee on Printing
Report of Committee on Lamps adverse to
petition for lamps on Dixwell avenue, be-
and Munson streets Passed.
Petition of the Board of"Health for an ap-
preparation of 81 800 to pay expenses for
public vaccination and better system for
the removal of garbage was read, also the
accompanying order and Mayors message
regarding the Importance of the same.
Alderman Sheldon opposed the appropria-
ton. He said he was willing to go as far as
any one to secure the public health, yet he
had no confidence in this appropriation of
the public funds. In order to carry out the
plan proposed there would have to be not
only free but a compulsory vaccination.
Again it did not follow that vaccination
would be any protection against this dreaded
disease, and he for one would resist, SO far
as he was Individually concerned, any COM
pulsory vaccination.
Alderman Langley differed with Alderman
Sheldon in regard to vaccination. He
| thought it was preventive and should be
enforced, and that the amount asked for
should be appropriated. He said of course
what money was not used would be turned
| back into the treasury.
Alderman Sheldon moved to divide the res
olution by appropriating $500 for vaccina
| ton and the balance to be used for the re-
moval of garbage, which he thought would
| be better disposal of the amount called for
Alderman Baldwin said that as Health
Officer Lindsey was present he would like tc
hear what he had to say in regard to the mat
| ter under discussion.
Alderman Klenke opposed the resolution
| as unnecessary at the present time.
Health Officer Lindsey, by consent, adj
| dressed the Board. He said it seemed to him
| that some limit should be given to the Board
| of Health to use the money at their discre
| ton. He thought that while it would not be
| necessary to use all the money for vaccina
| ton, yet there were many ways in which the
Board of Health could use the balance of the
| money to the advantage of the taxpayers Of
| the city. He said there was nothing more
| demonstrate than the benefits of vaccina
ton precaution against taking smallpox
| He said that many poor people had beer
l waiting for this public vaccination, but ht
/ did not think it would be necessary to go in
| to free vaccination SO extensively as it wa!
L done six years ago. The weather was getting
warm and perhaps it would not be as well t.
vaccinate infants and young children il
| warm weather.
In reply to Alderman Studley, DR.. Lindsey
said that he was not fully informed in regard
| to the means employed by the town in tn
| removal of persons who died with the small
pox. He did not know whether stone dra.
| was used or not.
In reply to Alderman Baldwin, DR. Linds
ley stated that there had been no discussion
| IN the Board of Health in regard to usin,
any portion of this money in the removal o
garbage. He thought however that Their
should be more garbage inspectors and the1
they could see that the garbage was properl
removed.
In reply to Alderman Dillon, DR.. Lindsle
said it seemed to be the opinion that tn
Board of Health should take charge of ever
case of smallpox. It was not the duty of tn
Board to attend to every suspected case, bu
when there was a well marked case and the
were notified by the physicians they woul'
attend to it.
| Alderman Studley favored the resolution
and recommended that the Board of Healtl
be allowed to use their discretion in the mat
ter of using the appropriation.
| Aldermen Sheldon and Driseoll favoret
giving the Board of Health absolute discre
ton in the use of the amount asked for
whether it be for free vaccination or to in
sure more efficient collection of garbage
| The resolution appropriating s 800 to tn
Board of Health and giving them full powe
to expend the amount as they think bes
was passed.
Resolution to have city orders printed il
each of the daily newspapers and the German
papers was passed.
Recommendation giving the Electric Ligh
company power to erect poles subject to tn
orders of the Board of Road Commissioners
Passed.
| Order giving the Home for Aged Female
power to connect with sewer. Passed.
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measure
for the month of April was read and orderet
on file.
Report of Street committee in favor of
Belgian pavement in Court street, between
Orange and State streets. Passed.
Report of Committee on Claims adverse t.
refunding R. NJ. Burwel interest on assess
ment for sewer on Union street was read ,ant
after discussion it was found that there wa
not a quorum, and the Board was declares
adjourned.