Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-02-11

years. For the purpose, however, o
arriving At definite conclusion and o
relieving our city from the stigma O
hs wing very impure water furnished
from It's reservoirs the board suggest
that the Council order further aualy
sis as soon o. the creek reaches its or
dinary stage.
The Chief Engineer Of the Water de
partment has pointed out a grievance
which arises from Pleasant Run ant
which should be remedied as soon a
the frost leaves the ground.
But there is another source in iInpur
ity from the northern slope of the city
which IL more to be deprecated thar
laughing which now comes from above
the city. This source Of nuisance mus
incr, ase as the city increases, and must
give rise tC q more objectionable cOndi,
ton of the water we drink than any.
thing which has ever originated far,
ther up the stream. Either large
sewer on the south side of the river t,
the western limit OF the city, or the re-
moval Of the city pumps up the stream
entirely beyond a point likely to be
reached By the growing population is
necessary TO give our people the bless
ing of pure water With the light which
OF late years has been thrown upon the
subject of pveveLiible discusses, the
board Ia well satisfied that many at
tacKs OF serious diseases. and in sOme
cas cs deaths, have resulted from deiec-
two plumbing in our city. Builders
have not genera " been disposed TO use
ii, a. II, ll tar ial In
the construction OF what are called
"modern conveniences," and hence foul
and deadly gases have In many cases
filled the residences of the citizens.
Both builders and tenants a often en-
trely ignorant of the danger which
turks around from these imperfectly y
constructed pipes and drains, and sick =.
ness enters and sometimes carries off
one or more members of family be-
fore the fatal cause il suspected. IL is
80 recently that attention has been
drawn to these forms OF poison, they
have been 50 insidiDus, aud their source
has bt Gu sc hid away tro,n observation,
that many physicians give but little
COnsi GRAFTON to the condition OF our at
Iuosphere which, having been the prime
cause OF disease, Is of Ell sufficient to
carry it forward to a fatal termination.
TO guard our people against this dan.
gar, the board feels bound to urge in
the strongest manner tht appOintment
of "a capable and reliable brul ding COM
whose duty it shall be to in
sJecS the plans of ali buildings to be
erected or altered both rs regards the
inlI nd
cially the plumbing arrangements, and
to make it obligatory upon him to care
fully satisfy himself in regard 10 these
points, ana 80 to certify to the build
ers. In proof OF what has been said,
aud Of the negligence on this point, the
case of our county Court House may
be- instanced. Erected under the su.
pervisiOn of one of the best architects
and beautiful In all its appointments,
yet the plumbing arrangements were
found to be defective in one OF the most
important features, which was correct
ed only in time to save the county Of
Iicers and court from very damaging
TO their health.
The sewerage of oar city il not on ~
le fectve but is scandal9us. No we'll
devised aid general plan has ever baen
4 lopted by the city authorities. IL is a
matttr of great importance. In the
and use of our cesspOOls,
the absorption Of the fluid contents by
the surrounding earth has been going
IN to Il greater or less degree since the
foundation of the city, and every year
the degree of saturatiOn IL increasing.
4 nt VA "a
is adopted a terrible penalty of disease
and death awaits the people OF this
CITY. When this may come is uncer
tain, but the fact is inevitable.
The large sewerage along Shipley
run is only half constructed, having
been made in sections, aud at different
TINES. 1t is in many parts a disgust
ing al d disreputable nuisance and the
board has urged and again urges upon
your honorable body al earnest and
prompt attention to its improvement.
1t is not our duty or desire here to
enter upou the consideration of the diff
|erent modes OF construction of sewers,
W whether to unite the surface drainage
with the house sewerage, or to keep
thrm separated as advocated by Colo
mel Warning. Each have their advr-
rates, and the attention of our Chief
Engineer of the Surveying Department.
Da+ been directed to the consideration
If the subject, and the Board OF Trade
$ also looking into the matter.
1t should be strongly affirmed that
however we'll devised and executed
may be a system Of sewerage, unless a
'ystem of plumbing equally well de-
1ised ana executed be also present, the
'ormer will be nothing more than a
leath trap TO the people; and besides
,hese important measures, the subse
luent disposal of the sewage of the city
8 of so much consequence as materially Y |
o affect both our health and business
interests.
The whole subject therefore calls for
md is worthy of the most comprehen.
i've and careful investigation at the
lands of your honorable body.
There are many cases in city with |
dwellings, scattered over the suburbs in
v which, suppOsing a system of sewerage |
was in operation, it would be impracti-
,able to use it, and for these and for |
present purposes the board has proposed
IN amendment to the ordinance relat-
ny to the construction of privy wells.
The board has been satisfied that
ome means preventing smallpox be.
ng introduced into our schools should
,e taken, bat neither the School Board
lor the City Council nor the Board of
Health has felt authorized to move In
he matter. The board therefore sug-
rests respectfully that the honorable
Council memorialize the Legislature at
is next session to pass law maxine it
upon every child entering
he schools for the first time to present
evidence of vaccination or
If having had the smallpox. This will
20 very far to bring about the general
lse OF this indispensable means ofpro-
eciOn from this fearful disease.
The toard takes the liberty of asking
'cur early attention to the rev ised Or
finances Of the Board of Health which
ave been placed before your hOnora-
DE body for your concurrence. The
health ordinances of the city enacted