Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-12
NArtoNAI BoARD HEALrH.

A good deal of hostility to the National
in Congress. Efforts in the House to
increase several of the items in the ap-
preparation for the sundry civil service
bill;for the benefit of the board have failed.
Morbid hostility to the board was exhib-
tied, especially by Mr.. Cox, of New
York, who wanted all appropriations
withheld from it.
Its warmest supporters were from the
West, and yet the West was divided. 1t
was alleged by Western member that all
the useful services performed by the
board could be much better performed by
the Marine Hospital service. and by the
Army and Navy Medical Corps.
Hostility tc the appropriation arises from
motives of economy. If the board should be
abolished, the service aimed at could be
as we'll performed through other chan
nels without additional expense. Proba-
bly, this Board of Health is more orna-
mental than useful.
The board was charged with the in
spection of emigration teams bound
West, its inspectors for the most part
being stationed in Michigan, Northern
Ohio and Illinois. This location of in
spectors is said to have been determined
by the existence of small. poX in a num-
Der of towns in Illinois, traceable to en-
igrants.
nr Nurn of roc
Health, seems to be particularly active
in his endeavors to cast odium on this
economic action of the House, by endea-
voring to create an alarm in regard to
opening the entire coast to the
ravages of smallpox and the yellow
fever.
The house appropriated ST., 500 for the
aid of the board, manifestly not enough
to carry forward its practices in their
former gorgeous proportions. The Sec
rotary, on this, hastens to telegraph to
DR.. Rauch, of Chicago, and other health
officers in different Western States, di-
recting the immediate discontinuance OF
the service which had been performed by
the inspectors.
Is not this hasty aud unwarranted
proceeding on the part of the secretary!
The bill making the appropriation has
yet to be passed upon by the senate.
This body may increase the appropria-
ton, and the House may yet concur, OF
it may pass the House appropriation, or
amend the bill or abolish the board en-
tirely, which latter movement would
probably be just.
DR.. Turner, doubtless, hates to have
the large appropriation hitherto granted
TO the board, to fatten a few sinecure
Office holders, diminished Proba-
bly, he does not want to
lose his own position The best argu-
ment for his removal is given by himself
in his hasty action under an inchoate
law.
1t is not likely DR.. Turner is the sole con-
servator Of the health of the Great West.
1t is not likely that Congress Will leave the
West exposed helplessly and hopelessly
to the introduction of contagious dis
cases. If the duties assigned to the
board, as is alleged, can as
well be performed by other
branches of the service, then why con-
tinue in action this expensive, useless
board?
Office holders die hard They relax
their grip upon their salaried stipends
reluctantly. But economy may re-
quire, and the public service
not suffer by removing barnacles whose
chief employment is to drink the con-
tents of the National treasury.
This is by no means party question.