Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-10

to Tennessee, Calhoun from Main to Missis
sippi avenue, Beale from Orleans to CITY
! limits, Webster from fernando to hissis.
sippi, fernando from Elliott to It's terminus
Clay from fernando to Mississippi avenue
St. Paul from Orleans to bayou. Six over.
flows have been made from the 6fteen-inch
| mains into the bayou-four for the east and
two for the west main. This was necessary
to prevent the sewage from being backed up
or retained in some OF the siX-inch lsterals,
the main outflow pipe or conduit,
which at present is the Jail sewer,
fall to relieve the hfteen-inch mains.
To this extent the bayou IL converted into
| an open sewer, which, of course, should be
| corrected az early as practicable, certainly
| before the advent OF warm weather. l merely
| wish to call your attention to the existence
OF these temporary oyerfows, and not dis
cuss either the cause of the seeming want of
capacity of the fifteen-inch mains, or sug-
gest the remedy, both Of which being ques-
tions OF engineering. / will state, however,
| that the present connection of the main con-
| duit with the Jail sewer was made as a tenn
porary expedient. The outflow for both
| should be carried to the Mississippi river, as
| originally contemplated by the Waring
survey. Especially is this now dem anded, as
| it has been demonstrated that at certain
stages Of water the point from which the
water supply for the city is obtained may be
| polluted by the sewage outflow. This work
can only be done at low water OF the Missis-
sippi. But another favorable opportunity
| should not pass without the work being done
The Garbage SeTUce-The most expensive
branch of the health department, and as
stated in my last annual report, the leading
auxiliary toward the sanitation OF the city
is inadequate for the work demanded of it,
1t should be brought TO the standard Of dis
cipline and appointment of the fire depart
ment, and placed upon footing of effective
ness not inferior to the best policed city in
the country. During the year this service
was materially reduced and its effectiveness
impaired by the sale of ten mules, the dis
charge of ten employees and disuse of three
wagons and one cart, and the frequent use of
part of the remaining force for the purpose
of street-cleaning repairing, etc, so that it is
inefficient for the prompt removal of daily
garbage accumulations. | would therefore
respectfully suggest that not only to
prevent the diversion of the health officer |
who directs this service from the specific
duties of sanitary officer, but for more |
efficient organization and effective work in |
this special department, n which il was |
originally intended, that it be increased, and |
that regular street force be organized for |
and operated by the engineers department |
for the specific duty of street cleaning, re- |
pairing and maintaining proper surface |
cleaning and the maintenance OF suitable |
cutters and drains il sanitary work and /
essential to the proper hygienic condition Of |
the city, but this particular work could be
done more satisfactorily and with more
equitable division of labor and expense as
above indicated. The constant diversion of
the health officer from the duties OF a sani-
tary officer proper, which alone demands his
whole time, and division of the garbage
service for this work of street cleaning,
is one potent reason for its pres
ent ineficiency in its specific line
of duty. As our system of sewers does not per-
form the function of surface drains or the
rectly into the bayou or Mississippi river,
street drains should be improved and kept
free from obstructions, and, as the flow of
storm water carries with it all surface i'm
purities, every facility should be afforded
for its rapid removal. Bayou Gayoso, being
directly the natural receptacle for the major
portion of this surface drainage, becomes
an open sewer for surface impur-
tiles thus removed. The service at present
is composed of three covered wagons, two
open wagons, eight open carts and fourteen
mules, all of which have suitable harness
and in good working order. These are
operated by twelve men, in the capacity of
drivers, laborers, etc. A detailed report has
been recently made of this branch by the
health OIlCe 10 the secretary Oh the lJSSlSla- |
i've Council, as per instructions showing |
every article of property in his possession.
lie reports the cost of keeping the four head
If stock belonging to the sewer or engineers
department for the year at $432, and esti-
mates the cost of labor on the streets and the
,ayou at $4S4 80, which is included in the
general expense OF this service.
Public Latrines.-In my first annual report
recommended the erection of several public
Off | AGAIN call atf IN the |
necessity for these conyeniences, especially at !
he two markethouses and the wharf, or on
he levee. There should likewise be one at
ach railroad depot, which should be con- j
tructed and kept in proper sanitary condi-
ion by the railroad companies. The one J
rected by the Citizens Auxiliary Sanitary !
association in 1880 gives entire satisfaction
t nominal expense to the city.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
President Hadden appointed a committee
t one to see the Auxiliary Sanitary Assoca- =
ion and get the money for latrines 7
The president then appointed Messrs.
iavin, Burke and Graves as a committee for \
evising the cheapest and most efectual
leans of cleaning the city. Y
BOARD OF HEALTH OFFICER. !
The election of president OF the Board of {
Iealth was then announced as in order, and !,
resident Hadden nominated DIR. Thornton \
IN the first ballot the nominee received two I
otes, DIR. Wise received one and three were !
asst against DIR. Thornton. On the second ]
allot two were cast Tor DIR. Thornton and 4
,ur against. +
AS it is incumbent on the president of the u
ouncil to nominate the president OF the c
GARD of Health, and as DR.. Thornton's !.
anne for some unaccountable reason was
ot satisfactory to the council, President
adden stated that he would have to take d
me to choose a competent man. He had p
} idea there was any objection against his g
,minee. J
The council then adjourned. a