St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-08

as secretary. Quarterly meetings have been
held and frequent visits of inspection made
by the full board or its com
mittees and secretary, to the
several public institutions and most
of the county jals, poor houses and reform
atories of the state. The character and ex-
tent Of the work accomplished by this board
is indicated in its report which is before you.
| believe hazard nothing In saying that the
results thus far accomplished fully justify the
judgment Of those who early advocated the
organization of the board. 1t is already
recognized as an authoritative agency through
! which the people in different counties are be-
coming informed as to important details re-
garding the condition and management of
| their county affairs, the manner and cost of
the care and maintenance of their county
poor and other dependents, and, by the cor
rection Of errors and abuses of admnistra-
| ton, to which attention is thus directed, they
will be enabled to save large sums in the
adoption of more discriminating and econom-
! ica methods of expenditure, while bringing
more humanizing influences to pervade the
management of county institutions. In tine
exercise of its advisory functions it has rem
! dered material aid to the several boards In
charge OF the state institutions, with whom
the most cordial cooperative relations have
! been maintained. The board have attended
the National Conference of Charities and Cor
rections annually held, and through the sec
rotary or individual members, spent much
time in the inspection and study of the sys-
TENS and methods controlling the charitable
and reiormatory institutions of other states.
They ahve sought in every way to qualify
themselves thoroughly for the duties imposed
! upon them, in which they have taken great
interest," and given their time freely to their
discharge The character of the gentle
men constituting the board is guarantee Of
its future usefulness, and will command for
its work the confidence and cooperation of
the people of the state. Secretary Hart has
manifested much aptitude for the delicate
and intricate duties of his position, and in
their prosecution has shown great industry
/ and much enthusiasm.
| PUBLIC HEALTH.
| The state board of health is proving most
efficient agency in promoting the public
health. In the treatment of epidemic dis
eases and the supervision and direction of
general sanitary work throughout the state,
the board has rendered invaluable service
within the past two years. They have had to
deal with seventeen distinct outbreaks of
small pox, some of which, being in lumber
camps and unorganized counties, could not
| have been controlled by local authority. In
1 every instance, by prompt and peremptory
action. they have isolated and subdued the
disease. Several aggravated outbreaks of
| diphrheria which threatened the defamation
of entire communities, have, by rigid sys-
TEN of quarantine and dis.nfection, been
checked and brought under control. few
cases Of infectious diseases of domestic ami
| ols h.,y tbo tif of
and valuable counsel and assistance have
been rendered in the treatment of the dis
eased animals, and the protection of herds
exposed to the infection.
All sanitary authorities agree as to the
l probability of the appearance of cholera in
this country the present yeaI. Our state
board of health should be clothed with author
lty and given command of resources suffi-
ciHnt to deal with this dreaded scourge, in
the event OF its appearance among us. This
will contemplate legislation looking to thor
ough sanitary inspection and improved san
itary organization throughout the state. The
duties of local health officers, measures to be
adopted for the disposal OF fifth, protection of
the water supply ana the control Of often sive
trades, are all questions involved in the gen
eral subject, and should be met by clear and
explicit enactments, with sufficient penalties
for the violation of their provisions. To
make this work effective q special appropria-
ton will be required to be used under proper
restrictions and limitations AS suggested by
the board in their report.
The rapid increase of the stock interests Of
the state suggests some legislation Tor the
protection of our numerous and valuable
herds from the infectious diseases that have
wrought havoc the past year in other states.
The board of health is the proper
agency through which to operate in this mat
ter. Authority should be given them to en-
ploy competent veterinary surgeons when
necessary, and to take the other steps re-
quired to prevent or suppress such diseases.
The vital statistics Of the state as now col
lected are imperfect and unsatisfactory.
believe they could be made more com petc
and useful If collected under system de-
vsed and controlled by the state board OF
health.
Important Investigations relative to the
character of Illuminating oils brought into
the state have been made the past year by
the secretary Of the board, which are fully de-
tailed in his report, accompanied with prac-
teal recommendations for the protection OF
the public against the importation of inferior
goods.
The increased labors imposed upon the
board by the growth of the state, and the en-
larged scope Of its duties, calls for a moder-
ate increase in the annual appropriation for
its use. The recommendations in this re-
gard, and upon those matters relating To san
itary questions in which our entire people are
interested, have my approval.
MILITIA.
The legislature OF 1888 enacted a militia
code which provided for the organization OF
two regiments OF infantry and one battery OF
artillery 10 constitute the National guard OF
the state II required seven companies of
infantry in addition TO the then existing or
gauization To com pete the quota authorized
~ the act. Within the year following this
was made up, giving an aggregate enlistment
OF ], 263 officers and men, and the entire
force has been provided with the most i'm
proved arms and equipments in use by the
general government. Annual encampments
nave been held as contcm plated by the code,
the details Of which are furnished in the re-
port of the adjutant general. | am pleased
TO be- able 10 report tnat the guard Is In a sat
sfactory state OF discipline and efficiency.
The value 10 the state of a moderate military
establishment was demonstrated on the Oe-
casion OF the fires at the prison last January.
Detachments from the First regiment rem
dered inYaiuaDl; ana IN preserving order and
preventing any attempt Of the con ycts 10
escape during the progress Of and subsequent
to the fires the presence Of considerable
force Of armed men doubtless had sanitary
moral effect upon the inmates Of the prison
certainly no such efficient force could have
been organized from among our citizens as
the militia furnished, 10 guard the conyicts
white the affairs Of the prison were in con
fusion. For nearly week Of very severe
weather they creditably discharged the most
exacting duties that soldiers are called upon
10 perform. The subsistence and Ier diem
Of the men TO this service, and also the cOst
nf their tranEDnftafinfi Amnnnflnn In