The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-29
shockoc.yIiu Cemetery.

10 the Edsfor OF the DaSpotch:
II Il announced in the papers that among
the numerous yetoes OF the Mayor with re-
GARD 10 the resolutions passed by the City
I)ouncjI is one relating TO closing Shockoe-
mn cemetery. and providing that future
burials be forbid except with permission Of
the SUPERINTENDENT and the members OF the
committee. One reason assigned 10 that
the cemetery is public property, and should
be sustained Gs q park and as place OF
healthy resort and recreation FOR the poor.
II well 10 be informed on this subject,
and little reflection VIII satisfy all that
the Council has not acted precipitatcly,
but, on the contrary, 1t is It's duty to forbid
the burial OF the dead within the limits OF
the city. This subject should be regarded
in sanitary point Of view, and having re-
iation to the hygiene OF the city. IL burial
wards are unhealthy the people will be re-
conciled to the policy ard necessity OF To-
eating them beyond the corporate limits
and removing them entirely from the city.
Let us INQUIRE into The custom OF other
nations and the opinion OF scientific men
on the subject. Among many ancient ma
fions-the Jews, Greeks, and Romans-the
dead were excluded from the precincts OF
the city AMI conveyed and buried beyond
the walls. The usual inscription on Roman
fombs was stop, Traveller" as il address
ed to pilgrims on journey. In Christian
countries the saints were frequently buried
near the altar i'm the choir. The desire
naturally arose to be buried near these
saints and TO the remains OF men eminent
for piety and rank, and i'm consequence
many were buried in churches. The ORR
gin OF cburchyards rs places OF burial may
be thus explained. These churchyards in
crowded cities became offensive and uh-
healthy. Septic emanations eXhale IN the
air, and the streams of water percolating
the soil are impregnatcd by putrescent efllu-
via from the decomposition and disin-
tegraton OF the dead. 1t is manifest
that the graveyard is no place
for public resort, and is unfit for
relaxation or amusement. On the contrary.
n cemetery surrounded by walls which Oh
struct ventilation impairs the health Of the
community and should he suppressed as a
nuisance. Burlals in churchyards. or any
intra-mural interment, is now abandoned
I'm most OF the cities OF the world. The
graveyards are shut and prohibited within
the corporate limits, and all interinents are
made in large, extended, and open areas,
placed under the control OF boards or COM
panies appointed for the purpose. The
whole system Of city burlals was attacked
by Mr.. Chadwick and other scientific men
as early as 1914. In London the danger
was great on account Of the crowded popu-
latioD, and the remedy was promptly ap-
piled as early as 1850. IL was extended TO
the English provinces in 1858. and to Scot
iand in 1855. In New York, Philadelphia,
and all the large cities OF the United States,
burias are forbidden within the pre-
cincts. The old cemeteries are abandoned
and places OF interment established adorn-
ed by trees and flowers, natural and artistic
scenery, and works Of monumental art.
We naturally regret to desert the places
where repose the hallowed remains Of our
friends and relations. They are consecrated
by the tepderest and the most sacred asso-
Citations. But there is an obligation which
requires us TO regard the interests and
health OF the living. and as these cemeteries
in the city impair health and add to the
lists Of mortality, prudence and good legis-
lation require their removal. MEDIcUs.