Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-03
SAPELO QUARANTINE STATION.
An Interesting Account of the Ef-
forts for Hts Maintenance - The
National Board of Health.

AS our readers are aware, DR.. j. I. Nc
Farland, Health Officer, in the Interests of
the city of Savannah, visited Washington
on the 2lst ult. to urge the mainte-
nance of Sspelo quarantine station. He
forwarded to Council, at its meeting last
night, an official account Of his visit and
the results, which we publish below, and
which will be found to contain information
of considerable Importance, and will be
read with great interest, as it is an intelli-
gent and clear statement of matters that
should be generally known:
To the Honorable Mayor and Aldermen City
of Savannah:
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to re-
port that, under the directions OF Hon.
s. P. Hamilton, Mayor pro tenn,
| ington, D. C, with instructions to use
every endeavor with the Senators and
Representatives of Georgia, and others of
| the Congressional body, to secure the con
tinuance of the national quarantine sta
| ton, which is located on Black Beard
Island, Ga, and known as the Sapelo quar-
| antine station. l endeavored to the best Of
my ability to carry out the object OF the
mission, and urged upon many of the ma
Lazaretto to the States of Georgia, South
Carolina and Florida. DR.. H. B. Horlbeck,
Registrar of Charleston, s. c., was in
the city of Washington, having been sent
| there by the health authorities of Charleston
to advocate the continuance of the Sapelo
| quarantine station. We acted in consultation
| and with perfect accord. To the energy of
Senator Nj. G. Butler we are indebted for
prompt hearing before the sub-Appropris-
ton Committee of the Senate. This body
gave us lengthy interview, enabling us to
| state fully the advantages which would &C
crue to Georgia, South Carolina and Florida
| by the continuance Of the Sapelo quaran-
tine station.
The questions asked by the committee,
comprised of Messrs. Hale, Beck and Allison,
were many and to the point. DR.. Horlbeck
and myself were able to satisfactorily an
swer all, and gave full information required,
excepting an itemiZed statement as to how,
and by whom, the 81, 900 which is charged
as expenses OF the Sapelo quarantine sta
tion for the past year was spent.
This statement was obtained from 7. J.
Turner, M. D Secretary National Board of
Health, and promptly placed at the disposal
of the named committee. The appropria-
ton bill for the support OF the National
| Board of Health for year ending July 31st,
1888, asks for 1901 900. l advocated simply
the maintenance OF the SapelO quaratine
station, and nothing more, such being my
understanding of the instructions under
which | was acting.
NV interviews with members Of the House
of Representatives disclosed deep rooted
opposition in that body to the National
| Board of Health; much dissatisfaction is
expressed as to the injudicious expenditure
Of money by said board; between $3.50, 900
| and 500, 900 having been appropriated them
| since their organization, and the call for
| 1901 900 to maintain the board for year end
| ing July, 1888, meets with great disfavor.
l was assured that II the bill would be cut
| down and specified amounts stated for the
maintenance Of the Sapelo and other coast
| quarantine stations, that there would be no
doubt but that such appropriations would
be given.
| After hearing this statement from Hon.
/ ], II. Blount, of Georgia, and others, l
called upon the Secretary of the National
| Board of Health and reiterated 1t, and asked
/ If the bill could not be so altered as to re-
tain the Sapelo quarantine station, even If
/ the bill for 1901 100 could not be passed.
| was informed by him that such could not
| be done: that the board would have to exist
| as an entirety; that such division In the bill
| would bring about sectional disagreements,
| and that it was an impossibility to meet the
| view expressed, In other words, the Ma
| tional Board of Health could not continue
| its working during the year with an appro-
| priatIon less than $30l, 600. Before con-
| versing with members Of the House of Re
representatives., felt hopeful as to the station
| being maintained, but after interviews with
/ them felt, and still feel, that such result
is extremely doubtful. The great interest
| exhibited by the Western States regarding
| the continuance of their inland quarantine
stations, and that displayed by New York
cit through its Health Officer, combined
with the efforts of the Atlantic and Gulf
States, may still accomplish the passage Of
a bill, so modified, that the National Board
of Health may continue its existence dur
ing the year, and the Sapelo quarantine sta
| ton be retained as Lazaretto for the States
Of Georgia, South Carolina ana Florida l
j. T. MCFARLAND, M. D.,
Health Officer.