The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-05
CABINS FOR REFUGEES.
SURGEON GENERAL HAMILrON'S
VISIT TO CAMP PERRY.

Lue JdCKSOnVllle AuCnOrlUlcS 10 EtO-
! vide Temporary Homes for Fugitives
The Surgeon Generals Conference
With DR.. Mitchell-What He Pro-
poses to Do-Mayor Smith Still in
Savannah What de Says OF the
Situation.
Mayor Lester, Health Officer Drummer
and Mayor Dunn of Brunswick, returned
from the Augusta quarantine conference
yesterday morning. General Manager
Haines and Surgeon General Hamilton
came down in Mr.. Haines' private car, and
went direct to Waycross. The surgeon gen
eral visited Camp Perry, and had confer
ence with the Jacksonville health authori-
ties, am ng them being Dr. Neal Mitchell,
president of the Duval county board Of
health, Mr.. McQuaid, chairman Of the Aux
iliary Sanitary Association, the achng
mayor and other gentlemen.
The surgeon general had long talk over
the situation of affairs in jacksonville, and
what was most advisable to do unaer the
circumstances. He agreed to furnish the
authorities with $40, 900 to build 300 small
cabins for refugees. The cabins are to be
located about SIX miles from Jacksonville,
in high, dry and healthy locality. The
building of the cabins is to be begun just as
soon as possible. He also agreed to furnish
them with such sanitary supplies as they
might need for the further publication of
the city.
DON'T LIKE THE CAMPS.
They said that the people OF Jacksonville
were very much opposed TO being forced to
60 to refugee camps and to undergo the de-
tention there in order 10 get away from the
city. They asked the surgeon general if he
intended to insist that the refugees shouldgo
to the camps before leaving Jacksonville
He said that his chief aim wa, To prevent the
fever from being spread by the refugees
scattering over the country before it was
reasonably sure that they were free from
the infection. But he said that before be
decided the question whether he would
allow refugees directly from Jacksonville to
60 TO points that would receive them, he
would prefer to have sent to him at Wash
ington the names Of places that would re-
Ceive them.
WHAT WILL BE DONE.
When he finds out what places will re-
ceive them, ne will decide the question,
Provided no decides to let the refugees
go direct from jacksonville, the Savannah,
Florida and Western railway will make
such arrangements for their transportation
as will be necessary and under sucn regula-
tions as Surgeon General Hamilton will
provide.
The conference was a very satisfactory
one, and the Jacksonville officials are salts
fled that the surgeon general is disposed to
do all in hispower for the bettering of their
condition, and that there had been thus far
no good reasons for criticising his course
The surgeon general returned last night to
Washington.
Mayor Lester and Health Officer Drummer
said that the conference at Augusta was in
every way, satisfactory. Gov. Gordon is
deeply in sympathy with the people of
Jacksonville, yet he is in favor of strict
quarantine for the protection Of other
points.
MAYOR SMITH STILL HERE.
Mayor Smith of Jacksonville had his va
lise packed, and was all ready TO leave for
home yesterday morning, but at the earnest
solicitation of his wife he concluded not to
go for the present. Mayor Smith is in very
feeble health. and his physicians and friends
have urged upon him not to return for a
while
Mayor Smith was seen last night at the
residence of Rev. I. H. Blenus, where he
and his wife are guests. Nj. B,enus said
that he knew something about Mayor
Smiths physical condition, for lie mad been
a near neignbor OF his in Jacksonville for
three years, aud with him IN a severe ok
ness. I'm Mayor Smiths condition it would
be tempting providence for him TO return
to Jacksonville now," said Mr.. B!enus.
Mayor Smith did not dissent from the
views OF his friend. Tie said that he had
been advised by physicians that he is not
prepared to place himself in the way of the
infection, which in his enfeebled condition
would be suicidal. 1t had also been strongly
argued to him by his friends that his
presence in Jacksonville is not essential If
there he could accomplish no more than is
now being done. Acting Mayor Archibald
left for the north on the special train last
Sunday, but Mayor Smith says there are
fourteen of the eighteen aldermen still in
Jacksonville, and a meeting of the council
was held there yesterday at which an act
ing mayor was no doubt selected.
HIS PRESENCE NOT REQUIRED.
Mayor Smith said that his present feeble
condition is due to the exacting duties of
April, May, June and July in looking after
the extra sanitation Of the city, going day
and night, overwork and exposure bringing
about the prostration which compelled him
to 20 to North Carolina before the outbreak
of fever. 81 am not well man now by a
great deal,n he added, and both his looks
and his voice certainly show 1t.
With the pressure brought to bear upon
him by his wife, children abroad, physi-
clans here and at home, and the knowledge
OF his own illness, he is wavering as to
| whether he will remain here or 60 to Jack
sonville, and he was not prepared TO say
| last night which he will do. He says that
| he has directed his agent at jacksonville to
subscribe another 800 to the relief fund
there, and if necessary still another 800
before his return. The death Of healthy
man like DIR. Baldwin, the sickness
of Dr. Mitchell, aud the increase Of
| the number of new cases on Mo day, Mayor
Smith admits, impressed him with the un-
called for danger he was about TO subject
himself to, for he says he does not know
that he can be Of any practical use, or add
anything to tho work that is being done.
His idea is that nothing can be doue except
to depopulate the city Of those liable to in
lection, and keep up the extra sanitation.
THE GOVERNMENT MUST HELP
The first will have TO be done by the gov
eminent, the last is being done as we'll by TIE
local AUTH rites as If he were there. He
says that II relief can De expec ed by cold
weather until late in November, if thel. 1t
wants heavy frosts to destroy the fever
germs.
Mayor Smith says that he cannot under
stand the delay in passing the appropr alton
In congress so that the government can
move the people out of Jacks nvilleat once.
He says that it Is not an Appropriation for
Florida alone, but oil the states of the South
Atlantic and gulf coast are Interested. 1t
is something that requires immediate
! action.