The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-11-20
Does the Necessity Exist:

siderable discussion pro ana con on Jne
subject of State Board of Health.
Thus far we have been unable to learn ex-
actly what is hoped to be accomplished
through State Board that cannot be Sc
cured through efficient county or local
Boards of Health, especially since the lat
ter are given more power under the law
than would likely be delegated to State
Board. In the present epidemic the local
boards as general rule have been very
efficient. If the various county Boards,
with present powers conferred by law,
cannot prevent the introduction of yellow
fever, how could a State Board be ex-
pected to do so? If it is intended to Gre
ate a State Board, and give it absolute
powers by restricting the powers and
privileges of the local boards, that would
be serious mistake. When the people
are deprived Of the right of self-protection
through their local boards of health they
will resort to a shotgun q uarantine.
Fortunately, in our opinion, there has
been no undue haste in this matter, and
the question should yet be fully and
freely discussed, before it is determined to
have a State Board, between which and
the local boards there would be a constant
clashing as to methods, powers, jnrisdic-
zion, etc. 1t must first be established
that there exists necessity for a State
Board, what will be expected of it, and
what class of persons are to constitute
the board. 1t certainly would not be
wise to appoint only professional men or
railroad men. If State Board of Health
must he created, and, at this writing, we
doubt the wisdom of such step, the
Governor Of Florida should be a member
of said board. In the light of all the facts
bearing on the situation, as we now I'M
derstand them, we prefer State Surgeon
General to State Board We are open
TO conviction in this matter, however,
but something different from what has
thus far appeared must be presented.
Silly and unjust criticisms Of Governor
Perry will deceive nobody-cannot con-
vert us And right here we desire to put
the people of Florida on their guard in
this matter. 1t has long been nlmatel
that there is something hidden behind or
beneath all this clamOr for a State Board
of Health. Care must be exercised. if it
is decided to have this board, that it is
not composed of or captured by
any one class or set of individuals.
The interests OF the whole people
the public health and weltare-and not
the interest Of any class or clique Of per-
>ons-must be closely looked after and
yea lousy guarded.
Pursuing this subject further, it occurs
to us tina; with adequate quarantine laws
and regulations for All Florida ports, rig
idly enforced by and through the local
Boards OF Health, already provided for
by statute, woall be sufficient to prevent
the introduction of the fever Even with
4 State Board, all these would be neces-
>arv, and this leads us to inquire where
is the necessity for such a board? We
must have strict quarantine at all our
ports, from May to October, if we expect
to keep out infectious diseases and pre-
vent epidemics.
As to the quarantine at our ports, some
persons think the General Government
should have charge of this work and bear
the expense Of it. Many persons are also
OF the opinion that the government should
take full charge when cpiIemics appear,
and pay all expenses incurred therein.
The expense of an epidemic like the pres
cnt ONE has been would almost bankrupt
ID !