St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-05
OFFICIAL
Proceedings Of the Common Council
Regular Meeting.

cullen, Otls, Cornish, Johnson, Van Slyke,
Starkey, st. Peter, Mr.. Presidential.
COMMUNICATIONS.
From his Honor the Mayor
Precautions against cholera
MAYORS OFFICE, ST. PAUL. MINI.
To the Honorable, the Common Council OF
the CITY Of ST. Paul:
GENTLEMEN: Tue occurrence of the recent
aud still existing cholera epdrmic in Europe,
together with the enormous ravages which il
has made there, has necessarily attracted gen.
eral attention throughout the United States,
and experience warns us that the usual ac-
compartment OF such an outbreak has been
the transmission Of such an epidemic To this
country, aud that upon its appearance here it
has usually followed the great avenues of
travel and commerce.
IN view Of these facts and Of the important
duties with reference to the public health
with which your honorable body and the ex-
ecutive officers of this city are charged
have deemed it my duty 10 investigate the
condition Of this city with reference 10 the
same, and in that behalf have called upon the
Health Department for their views upon the
subject
The response from that Department has
been immediate and exhaustive and here
with submit to you a communication from
entitled to your most earnest consideration.
With the consent of DIR. Hoyt also called
the matter 10 the attention Of the County
Medical Society of this city, which is com
posed OF our most eminent physicians, men
whose eminence aud accom- plishments in
their profession enutle them TO the highest
consideration upon any opinion which they
may express with reference to matters within
the scope of their professional duty
or requirements. And thar the matter
might be directly discussed, I
submitted to that body at one of their meet
iugs the following questions:
F.rst-Are we Likely to have the cholera in
st. Paul during the summer of 1885.
Seconds the city in good sanitary con-
djton?
Third-What steps should be taken to
place the city in the best possible condition
IN anticipation of a cholera epidemicl
Tuese questions have been fully answered
by the meaic4l society through certain of
their most eminent members to whom they
have committed the necessary investigation
and response, and l herewith submit their
answers to you for your consideration and
action in connection with the communica-
ton OF the health department.; believing aud
knowing that your honorable body is thor
oughiy aware OF the important aud solemn
duty imposed upon all public functioaaries in
the most important matter Of the public
Lealth. do not intend TO extend this com
munication TO any unnecessary length,
although consider it my duty To make it tne
subject OF special meeting of your honora-
bic body; nor is it my desire that in making
it should be considered to any extent To
appear in the character of an alarmist.
simply seek TO discharge the duties which are
apparently incumbent upon myself in view
Of the threatened approach of this most dan
gerous and epidemic disease, and with the
desire to further enable your honorable body
to obtain such accurate and reliable infor-
nation upon the subject as will enable you
upon your part to most thoroughly and eff
GENTLY, and for the general public good, per-
form the duties which you have under
taken and which you have SO
well discharged in every respect.
1t must not be forgotten that in the extra
ordinary development of our city and the
magnitude of the public and private works
in which we are now engaged, that the cues
ton of the public health both underlies and
surmounts them all in its importance, and
the duties which il i'm poses upon u.s. Neither
our magnificent public improvements, COM
mercial enterprise, financial successes, or
general advance in culture or prosper
lty, are OF any service to US unless at the
same time the sanitary condition of the city
shall be equal to the efficient and thorough
protection of the public health, aud that it
should be particularly guarded against the
occurrence of epidemics of any character.
In our situation, and with our climate,
Nature has put us in position to be amply
able to protect ourselves against such occur
rences. If due care is given and proper pre-
cautions are taken against the existence of
laTNa fN4..
the accretions of the city in the shape of
garbage and other filth which form the hot
beds Of diseases of this character.
We are under a special and solemn duty
in this particular to every citizen, and more
particularly to that large portion of our citi-
zens who, upon the advent Of such a dis
ease, would be unable to protect themselves
from its ravages by either the renovation of
their particular locality, or a removal from
them To other points. 1t is further apparent
from the report of the Health Department.
and the very important communication from
the County Medical Society, that
there are conditions and localities
In this city which would be fruit
full sources for the inception aud spread of
the disease referred to, should the same op-
tain foolhold upon this continent and be
transmitted to this city. That these gentle
the United States by that disease: that they
believe that in case OF such invasion it will
be necessarily transmitted to this city; and
that II the conditions which they com plain of
are not changed and Immediately removed.
II is apt TO assume an epidemic form among
us; under these circumstances immediate
action is required.
There is but one policy to pursue and that
is to place the city at once in the best sani-
tary condition possible at whatever trouble or
expense the same may be obtained.
NO question of economy, no question of
policy, no question Of hesitancy ought to be
considered for an instant If the apprehen-
sions OF the gentlemen referred to- should be
fulfilled, and no steps should be ia ken in the
interim to avert the possible danger, II will
be too late when the fatal certainty shall ap-
pear to do that which We can DO now, and
thatwhich we have ample time and oppor-
tunity to effect, and neglect or hesitation
upon our part in this matter would, if the
same should result fatally to any of our citi-
zens, be criminal negligeD ce upon our part
beyond the effect of an abs dilute affirm alive
crime
therefore most Games .ly request your i'm
mediate and most thoruu Oh Investigation of
Ibis subject both upon u ne appreheuded ap-
pearance of cholera in he United States dur
ing the coming summer and the condition of
This city to resist its att acks.
The necessary steps to be taken to make
such resistance requir immediate action.
10 MOI STOP TO POI Mt ont to you from an
othel we" Inc OBVIOUS advantages of such
action, and the benz its to accrue to the CITY
from public convic lion and belief founded
upon action, tia the sanitary condition
oil the city would be such as to practically
protect it against an epidemic, so far as hui
man means could dor so, for conceive it to
De the TACT that the higher obligation, our
duty to the public al I'D the preservation of the
public health. is q 81 Efficient and nnore ~,