Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-09
THE sANITARIANS' CONGRESS-.
The Public Session Of the Public Hcaltl
Association.

The Public Session OF the Public Health
Association.
LETTER PROM PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
ADDRESSES OF WELCOME by DIR. TONER
AND COMMISSIONER s-pRESrpENr
REEVES ADDREsS-LIsTs OF MEMBERS PRES
ENr AND NEW MEMBERS ELEcrEp.
The American Public Health association held
a public session last evening at Willard hall,
which was largely attended. Upon the plat
form were District Commissioners Edmouds.
Webb and Lydecker; Representative Town
send. of Illinois; Rev. DR.. Sunderland and q
number Of the ex-presidents OF the association;
f. j. Hannah and r. G. Camp
bell, representatives of the Plumbers
association Of this city were present in the audi.
ence. Dr.. ]. n. Toner, the chairman of the
committee on reception. prefaccd his address
of welcome by saying that the President was
for him to spare the time, and he asked the sec
rotary to read a letter nom the President, in
which the President expressed his regret that,
present He added, that the advancement OF
sanitary science and its practical application
to the public health are Of immense import
ance to the people Of this country "But + do
not think," he continued, ''the advantages
Of an Improvement in the condition and
workinemen, and OF the poor among us.
Is sufficiently appreciated. Healthfnl and COM
Portable habitations indicate the best features
OF country's prosperity and advancement, and
men with good health and wholesome surround
ings are apt to be contented ana useful citizens.
The difference in the deathrate OF cities and 10
calities unexplained by natural and Inherent
causes Is Of itself enough to give great promi-
nence to the work OF the association, and IL this
benef1cent organization shall succeed, il
ought, In impressing upon municipalities the
duty OF sensible and thorough sewerage. a plen-
and
school buildings for the chifdren of their citi.
zens, 1t may well point with pride to its achieve
with applause, and the President was at once
elected by reclamation rs the first honorary
member OF the association.
DIR. TONER'S ADDRESS.
DIR. Toner then proceeded with a speech OF
welcome which held the attention OF the asso-
citation throughout. at is believed" said DIR.
Toner, "that you and every intelligent citizen
OF the several states and territories of the
United States feel pride in the city which
We trust the city of Washington deserves and
may always enjoy the consideration and
esteem OF sanitarians. Here are stored or
oelng steadily collected In grand and capacious
f1re-proof buildings the precious literery treas
ures OF the history of America, and here the
grandest museums OF the arts and sciences OF a
iree people are centering. Here too are the
homes OF the officers selected by the suffrage OF
the sovereign people OF the United States as
government. Coming as you do from every
part OF our country from which this city is
populated and derives its Importance 1t is but
just that you should recognize the fact that you
and your people have here vested interests, not
only in the beauty of the city and the grandeur
of the public buildings, but in their hygienic
render the city Of Washington worthy OF the ne
homes of your representatives and TO be the
capitol OF the nation"
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.
DR.. Toner, continuing, said that all knew the
benefcfent .aims of the association and the
great value OF its recommendations to public
health authorities, and looked hopefully to the
benefits which cities, towns hamiets and rural
homes throughout the land may derive from "a
thorough and impartial consideration by the
association of the many and complex questions
OF sanitary science. He spoke of the progress
for the better made in methods of sanitary
supervision during the thirteen years or the
existence of the association. At this day there
Is scarcely state or a city without regularly
organized board of health. Such was not the
case when this association was formed.
1t Is not 70 be ~expected that legislators can
90 much In advance Of The views entertained
tective measures, and it is just as true that
both will be somewhat behind the smost
thorough sanitarians. He urged the necessity
TO the part the national government had
taken in Sanitary matters. The speaker said
improved sanitary measures and practices
among the people, and their desire to cooperate
with health authorities In the lessening
OF preventable disease, he thought the
association had great reason to be en-
couraged. In conclusion, he welcomed
the association In the name not only OF the
Medical association, but also Of the citizens of
Washington. "This," he said, "is the nation $
common ground. 1t is particularly fitting that
1t ~, h 81 crafseeer sh9na
has not already, become the favorite city for
all conventions having an interstate member
ship. Many such have assembled here in the
past, and, rs yours includes Canada, it is inter-
national. and is but precursor, though in no
wise connected with the great international
medical congress which is to meet in the city
of Washington in 1887"
COMMISSIONERS EDMoND'S ADDRESS.
Upon the conclusion of DR.. Toner'S address,
which was warmly applauded, he introduced
Judge Edmonds, the president of the board of
Commissioners, who in happy vein spoke
hearty words OF welcome to the delegates. He
dwelt upon the contrast afforded by the knowl-
edge of the present day with the ignorance and
alarm of former ages aroused by the presence of
pestiience. Then such visitation was re-
garded as mysterious visitation of Providence,
but now sanitary science pointed out the
filthy streets or stood at quarantine stations
| from other parts, and mitigated the horror and
suffering of such An invasion. He said that
every consideration of humanity urged them
| forward. There may be temporary failures,
but progress will be made as In the past, and
the association is entitled 10 liberal appropria-
lions and the cooperation Of every municipal
ity in the land, and no where, added Judge
EdmOnds, will such cooperation be granted
| more cheerfu!ly than here at the capital city.
OwIuS W thC PIcSSuOo cACii uutiSo at Tue
Capitol, neither Senator Harris nor Representa-
tive Beach, who were expected to make adj
dresses, were able TO be present. Representa-
tive TOwnshend was called upon, but In q brief
speech assuring the members of the association
OF his hearty sympathy, he asked to be excused
from making any extended remarks.
THE PRESIDENTS ANNUAL ADDRESS.
The president of the association, Dr.. James E.
Reaves, then delivered his annual address, an d
in tho beginning paid high tribute to the
efforts made by DR.. Smith Townshend, chair
man, and ]. C. McGinn, secretary, an6 their
distinguished associates on the committee of
arrangements for the interesting program
which they had arranged and the entertain
ment furnished. at may be said," he added,
"that the medical fraternity and the citizens OF
Washington never do things by halves" In
his review of what had been done in the inter-
ests of sanitary science and what was before
contagious or infectious diseases, both among
human beings and animals, aud the blights
upon the crops, q national biological labOr;l-
tory should be provided; and no other place
would be SO well suited for the location of such
q school Of science as the new building now in
process OF erection fOS the Army Medical Muse
UNI and Library"
MEMBERS PRESENT.
Following is list Of members present: Al
bert Z. Gihon, NJ. D., medical director, u. 8. N;
James e. Reeves, M. D., president, Wheeling,
w. Va; Henry Lamb, Rochester, N. Y; ]. f.
Kennedy, AZ. D., Des Moines, Iowa; G. Z. Conn,
N. D., Concord, N. H; ]. Berrien Lindsey, NJ
D., Nashville, Tenn; Irving A. Watson, NJ. d.
Concord, n. H.; James F. Shibberd, NJ. D., Rich