The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-12-04
GOV. PERRY AND THE FLOR
IDA BOARD OF HEALTH.

TALLAHASSEE, w. 1Cct'.
To the Editor OF the Times Democrat:
In the issues of your paper of Oct. %
and Nov, 13, respectively, you have COM
mented on the causes Gas you see them)
why Florida is without a State Board of
Health. Below is history of the entire
matter as taken from the records on file
here. Several years ago when Florida
began to grow in commercial Importance
it was evident that great danger existed
of introducing infectious and contagious
diseases into ports of the State through
the regular and fast increasing channels
of commerce. Recognizing this fact Gov.
BloXham, in his message at the close of
:, Y. fn~@ Legislature, In
the various counties and said:
The jurisdiction OF these Boards of Health
cannot extend beyond the limits Of the counties
IN which they are located.
That there should be some common channel
OF communication between SAID boards in order
to secure concert of action in periods OF epidcm-
les seems to be reasonable Take the line of
railroad from Pensacola to jacksonville, passing
through fourteen counties, as an illustrations
There are fourteen Boards of Health. each with
the power to reject or receive passengers or
freight from any point they NAV drem infected
ance OF The public and restriction of communca
tlon, might he adopted There was approx
mated SUCH "a state OF affairs ON said road during
pOrtloh OF the GUNNER or early fall OF 1888
Onder SUCH circumstances it is advisable TO have
. ave BOARD OF Health, composed of men fully
quallneu 10 regulate such restriction, so as To
give uniformity in action and the least possible
hlndrance TO inland commerce and passenger
travel, While at the same time giving a thorough
protecuon 10 the communities through which
such traffic and travel passes.
lhose progressive States that have established
such boards have fet their beneficial effect, and
none seem disposed to dispense with them
Such board could act when requested nv the
CITY boards at our various seaports, in harmony
win SAID boards, in aiding and assisting them
IN times OF need. 1t could gather and publish
the vital statistics of the State, which would
largely tend to render Florida the winter SAINT
tarlum OF the Union, by rendering the ad,nira.
BILE health record of The State widely known
through official and responsible sources
But beyond this, there is growing feeling in
the pubic mind that has already eliminated i'm
congressional appropriations, that cities infected
with severe epldemcs should not be compelled
10 oVertax the generosity Of It's citizens, or pub
Hc-spirlted communities, by Constant appeal
ior necessary assistance. The general govern
mtnt supported by all, could, without lis being
lelt, Iurn'sh to the local Boards OF Health such
necessary pecuniary assistance as The occasion
requires. Ii IS also prepared tor a marianne
qtlaian Inc, such rs The 5 ates DO not DOS .e,.
Inc application OF State board OF heal h would
necessarily carry with il, for such ass, lance
greater weight than any other And # a Ma.
uOna board Of health should he established
With representatives from The various State
Doaids, such representation from Florida in
ume ol sore need, would be Of incalcuabe ben
GU III securing pecuniary assistance. La view
CT these considt rations and the fact TIA, II is
thought that The United States stands in danger
mex summer OF The cholera scourge OF Europe
ana OF our numerous ports in near proximity :,
those Of Mexico, Central America and Gam, |
invite your earnest consideration of the subj. Ct
Which was indorsed by Gov. Perry in
the following words:
My distinguished predecessor in office. CON
forming to usage which seems in every respect
appropriate, has prepared an able aud compre-
henslVe message TO you, which, with the accom-
panylng reports rom the several administrative
departments, with pleasure transmit and com
mend to your careful considerations
The Legislature, however, adjourned
without passing bill to establish a State
Board of Health. In June, 1885 1.-THE
same year,, the Constitutional Conven.
ton met and framed new constitution.
which was subsequently Tin 1850 rati-
fed and adopted. This new Constitution
says IN express terms
"The Legislature shall esta dish State Board
OF Health" "The State Board of
Health shall have supervision of all matters re-
iating to public health, with such duties, pow