The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-04-04
The Sanitary Council Of the Missis.
slppi Valley.

Sanitary Council of the Mississippi Val
ley now in session in this city. 1t is
composed of citizens Of the highest and
most responsible occupations and sta
tions in society. Members of the learn
ed profession of Medicine, which stands
first in its sublime works Of benevolence
men of commerce, and practical hui
manitarians, whose lifelong labor Of
love is the good of their fellowmen.
These representatives are bound together
by the ties of common country, a
common hope for its prosperity, and
that touch Of generous human nature
which makes the whole world kin. As
the means of rapid intercommunication
between our own and foreign countries
have increased, the dangers of the intro
duction Of yellow fever and other pcsti-
lential diseases have grown proportion
atcly. Experience has demonstrated
that State and local sanitary organiza-
tions, though useful in their way, were
not sufficient protection against such
visitations, and it was found necessary to
establish National Health system
which would be uniform, simultaneous
and vigorous in its operation. Inspired
by this knowledge, Congress, on the Sd
of March 1879, passed an act "to pre-
vent the introduction of infectious or
contagious diseases into the United
States, and to establish a National
Board of Health" The whole country
applauded its wisdom; and on the I'd of
June, 1879, thus encouraged, it passed a
more general act charging the powers
of the National Board of Health and
placing a sufficient sum of money at its
disposal for the performance of the i'm
portant trust devolyed upon it. How
we'll the Board acquitted itself of its OBJ
legations, and subscrved the objects of
this benofcent legislation, has become
history. Unfortunately the last Con
gress, owing to petty jealousies of one
kind and another not necessary to be men
toned here, crippled its power and de
prived it of the means absolutely needed
for the successful executions Of its func
tons. At its first session one hundred
thousand dollars were placed at the dis
posal of the President, instead of the
Board and twas diverted into otherha
for disbursement, with what unsatisfac-
tory results the country is but too well
informed. At the late session the blum
der was repeated, and no action was
taken to continue in force the law of
June, 1872 which will expire in June
next--four years from the date of its APP
proval.
In this grave emergency, the Sanitary
Council has met, to devise measures for
supplying the omissions Of the national
Legislature, 50 far as in it lies, and to
suggest a method for concerted action
by State and local organizations. Also
to appeal to the President to select the
National Health Board MS the agent for
the disbursement of the money appro.
priated by Congress, over which he has
discretionary control, The object is
commendable. The danger is imminent
The power and the duty of the national
authority to expend money according to
the sum needed to ward off pestitential
diseases, cannot be questioned. If the
power "to regulate commerce, confers au.
thority to clean out harbors and improve
the navigation of streams, it certainly
exists to divest commerce of the horrors
of disease which. carries death to thous-
ands, and spreads desolation and de.
struction. If the government has power
to appropriate money for the relief of
sufferers by Providential dispensations
like flood and famine, who will question
its duty to stand sentinel at the outposts
to protect the country from the ravages
of the horrible diseases which. on re.
peated occasions, have ravaged commu-
mites? We bid Godspeed to the SAM,
tary Council, and in the name of Mis-.
slSsippi we nledpa tbo;r o,.,,44 -. \ III