Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-23
SELECFMEN,S MEETING.

Am Interesting Question Raised By
 the Health Omcer-COlored men Ask
 For Representation In the Distribu-
 ttOn of 06icers-The Almshouse
 Management.
 The board of seleetmen met last night Health Officer Williston drew attention to the perplexing condition of affairs in rela- ton to the board of health and it's powers in regard to the care of patients suffering from contagious diseases. He would like, he said, to have it definitely settled to who would foot the bill for expenses in providing pa tients removed to the pest house with nurses, etc. At the present time the health officer, so far as he understood the laws, had no more authority for ordering the proper accommodations for such patients than the ordinary citizen. He referred to the diph- theria cases in the Neuman family, and said he was inclined to the belief that the deceas- ed children's lives might have been saved had the services of physician been called in old bylaws, empowering the health officer to deal fully with this class of sufferers were practically null and he urged the board to readjust the matter. After some discussion Col. G. M. White moved that the health officer have power to send 10 the pest house all cases of contagious diseases whatsoever. The motion was car- ried unanimously. Dr. Williston then with drew. Subsequently a committee consisting of Messrs. Sternberg, Tedd and Klenke was appointed to confer with committee of the board of health to be appointed afterwards, on ways and means for dealing with the subject of contagious diseases and it was decided to postpone the question of meeting the expenses incurred in treating these d. seases until committee was appointed to confer on the subject. The members ad- mitted that the board of health had no status, at least nothing like what it should have. and that it was desirable to improve and strengthen it at an early date.
 The almshouse next came under review. Mr. Sternburg thought the institution should be investigated 80 as to see if it was properly managed and to ascertain it's wants, if it had any. The question ofscontracts for supplies of food and fuel, and burials for the ensuing year, was considered in this connec- tion. Finally the motion was carried that the committee on almshouse and outside poor be requested to visit the almshouse at least once mouth and furnish the board of selectmen with faithful report immediately after each visit; and that the same commit tee have power to make bids for supplies of coal, fuel, etc., for the next year. The reappointment of chaplains for the almshouse was entrusted to the town agent. It was moved and carried that the salaries of
 
 It was likewise decided to empower the town agent to secure an adjustment of sc. counts between this and adjoining towns in all cases where amicable settlement was possible.
 The somewhat dry routine of the proceed ings was here enlivened by the reading Of two communications from colored citizens and military men. which contained prayer for the selectmen to sgive the colored voters show" in the appointment of clerk to the almshouse. The memorialists presented a candidate for the office in the person of James Alexander Rosten of New Raven, ''now on the editorial staff of a southern journal"
 The chairman settled the matter expedi- tiously by stating that no clerk would be ap- pointed.
 A number of applications for other posi- tions were tabled for another week.
 letter was read from Mir. Thomas R. Trowbridge asking the board to grant an an- captain. The writer stated that Bradley, $1o0 from money. invested in securities, but was unable to live upon it. The matter was referred to the committee on outside poor.
 At the close of the meeting one of the se- lectmen stated that committee was ready to meet the committee from the Chamber of Commerce in relation to parks, at the cons venience of the latter.
 The Czar has presented gold tokens of re- membranoe to all of the persons who were present on the occasion of the disaster to the imperial train at Borki.