Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-03
AFFAIRS In BALrIMORE.
Rnvages OF the Smallpox There-Dis-
treas In the Infected District-A Jail
Delivery - Excitement Thereat An
operate Row.


Special Correspondence Of THE EVENING star.
BALTIMORE, January e 1885,
The growth OF smallpox In this city OF late has
been something alarming, and although the local
press have been very reticent upon the matter,
yet the uneasiness felt by all classes of society Is
widespread and deep-rootej. The health depart
ment daily assert that the dread disease Is under
control, but daily the number of cases increases
until yesterday there were over l0n new ones re-
porteL AT present 1t is estimated that there are
at least 3,0OO cases in the city. The Marine hos
pitai is filled to its utmost capacity and additona
accommodations will shortly be completed. At
present the disease Is confined mainly to the
southern and eastern sections OF the city, where
restricted limits. In some OF these streets the
large number OF flags give the street the appear
South Baltimore 1t had teen the custom OF Queran-
timing all those ut large suffering with smallpox
u nnt an tE opa lP,, near the m police station
them down 10 tho quarantine hospital This
ia ha' wal, Of putting these the ooa MN
bad effect upon the sick persons yet 1t was impOs-
sbe To allow them TO remain at the police station
AMI expose many others to the disease. Yesterday
the health department procure quarters at the
foot o. Charles street for the smallpox patients OF
the southern district who were at large, and the
DarOlrouS custom OF Quardntin1ng sick people on
open lois discontinued. The distress existing in
the infected sections, among families In which
the dSeaS, has appeared. IS widespread, for all the
other members or these families are tabooed from
al other associations. Vaccination Is being rap
IDLY Hi ~ pushed forward, and only YESTERDAY the
cans. few days since the latter official made a
tour OF inspection through the injected localities
and founi the Elost deplorable condition OF affairs
toeX:St In Some houses over $50 persons lived sew
era families occupying one room amid the most
abject poverty and filth. In some rooms were
dozens OF persons living, of whom a large percent
age were i'll with the smallpox. Several OF the
pest-bcdS were quarantined.
JAIL DISCHARGE.
Saturday q case of smallpox was discovered In
diately removed, AMI his quarters thoroughly dis
Infected, yet an additional case WAS discovered.
Warden Morrison, alarmed, held consultation
with the board of visitors, and ii was determined
10 discharge from custody large number OF these
prisoners, who were committed for minor offences
ana are generally known as "bummers." Over 800
OF these were accordingly turned out into the
streets to the intense disgust o. larger number,
who did not relish the ira sition from warm cell
into col street. The excitement in the city over
the delivery when it became known, was intense,
and the general inclination seemed to be to blame
the warden for allowing such gang to go at
large all at one time. The warden notified the sew
eral police magistrates that While smallpox was
eXtant in the jail it would be advisable not TO
commit to him any more cases than necessary,
which instructions were fully carried out yesterday
Ono Of the sick prisoners was cOiOred m IN
named Joseph BinkS. who there awaiting
the result OF the injuries OF his wife, whom he at
tempted to murder some weeks ago. How the dis
ease got into the jail Is unknOwn, but to prevent
such an introduction happening to them the Off
GERS OF the state Eenitentiary have almost quaran
tined that institution to prevent its making Its az
peardnce there.
Unfortunately political issues are beginning to
crop out in reference to the position OF health
missioner, many OF the friends OF DIR. James
Stewart, the former health commissioner, assert
Ing boldly that had their idol been in power the
epidemic would have been checked long ago. The
difficulty Will shortly come to head, and the
time is looked forward to with great interest by
large NUMBER Oh adherentS.
OPERATE UNPLEAsANTNESS
While referring to matters OF interest in the
city. it may be worth mentioning or the troubles
existing here in refeTehce to Mapleson'S Grand
Opera, now singing here. Baltimore wanted
Patti, but fatty refused to pay the price Of s. per
seat: so MaplesOn brings Scalchi en- instead. Bal
tirnore was mad, and in consequence there were
not over 500 persons at the Academy last night to
witness the truly magnificent production of
q" William Tell" Mr.. Marlason was furious, and
at once Cancelled his contract to sing here next
season. and vows that Her Majesty's company
Shall never come here again. The upper ten is
much alarmed, therefore, and Is in quandary
how TO appeaSe this operate god and have their