The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-01-22
state Board Of Health.


position to State Board of Health. AS far as
we can observe, the chief ground of this oppo
sltlon rests upon the violent presumption that
the railroads will, by some underlined means
control said board to their own interest and the
derlment Of the public. BY what process OF
reasoning the conclusion is reached that rail
roads will control State Board more cfiectual-
ly than they Can control county boards. we are
unable TO ascertain. Indeed, without arguing
the question:, we consider 1t most u;Warranttd
presumption, to base an argument upon the I'M
founded supp 'siton that We have no men
worthy OF Il position upon such board, who
cannot be controlled by improper inf ences.
a State Il 'ard OF Health does not necessitate
the abolition o! county boards, hut Should serve
As a channelof communication and secure concert
OF action between the same in periods of epidcm-
les 1t is we'll known that regulations estab
llshed by one county have been persi>tenly
ignored 10y adjoining Counties, and efficiency
sacrificed tor the WANT o! harmonious action
Under such circumstances it is deemed advisable
to have State Board of Health, composed of
men fully qualified to regulate such restrictions,
so as to give uniformity IN action and The least
possible hlndrancc to lnland commerce and PAS
sengcr travel, while giving thorough protection
to the communities through which such Traffic
and travel piss
Experience confirms the opinion ina: local
boards will be influenced bv local considerations
4 seaport, where the inhabitants .,;lvc had fever
and become somewhat accllmatcd, is necessarily
more indifferent to lis introduction nom foreign
,ufces than a community that has never en-
visited by the scouigc. Such seaport naturally
desires to keep up lis commerce with the ut,-
side world; and It's citizens, not fearing The dis
ease, would necessarily exert an influence uD ~
"A local health board to give the hroadcst laiulc
to business. The uGaccilmttcd portions of the
Commonwealth would require n State Board to
give rigorous quarantine 10 such Il port and
secure the health and business prosperity 0. the
entire State, even il il hcccssijated some local
Inconvenience. Here The railroad Influence at
said port would combine with the local health
authorizes, and a State Dard of Health would
be the only power to prevent such combination
from enlangering the health OF the State.
Ii may be that the States OF Texas, Louisiana
Alabama and Georgia may convoke tn .ir health
authorizes in the early spring to consider the in
PRODUCTION OF lever during the coming summer.
Could Florida be represented at such meeting?
With more at Stake IRON her extended sea coast
than either of her sister States, she would be
helpless to confer with them through any chan
mel that had authority to enforce the regulations
agreed upon. A State Board of Health would
enable her TO co operate with other threatened
Commonwealth and secure the beneti of such
united action
There is no argument that has a tirmcr basis
to stand upon than experience The experience
of those States that have established such
boards recognize their beneficial effects, and
none seem willing to dispense with them. We
know that our county quarantine system has
failed to produce uniformity or efficiency, al
though burthenng miny OF the counties with
heavy expense. knowing this, why not
adopt a system thai meets the appreciation OF
every Safe that has given il trial
,,,f1t
should not be compelled to overlaX the gene
r"slty Of their citlz Us or sympathlzng commu
mites. The general welfare o: all sections
demands that The general Government, sup
ported by All, should furnish rhc necessary
sistance. l. IS prepared tor mlratimc qna:an
tine, such as the States do not possess. \ Slale
GARD OF Health would he the proper avenue to
apply tOr such natohal assistance, and the chan
mel Though which il could be made efficient.
Leaving the discussion of tn expense of such
a board. which has been highly magnitied, 10
some other time, close his communication
bv calling attention to The fact that the ConSli-
tuition demands thai the Legislature shall Gre
ale Il Board of Health. That Constitution is The
creation OF representative. body of our citizens,
and was ratified by the people. Shall their
verdict be enforced? Can The provisions of the
organic law be ignored? CITIZEN.