The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-22
A CRYING WRONG.


Pers ons with Infectious Diseases Sent
to the Smallpox Pest House.
Dr. Leonard j. Gordon. president of the
Board Of Health, was told some plain and
startling truths by Poormaster John E.
Hewitt yesterday. Mr.. Hewitt was pres
enr at the meeting Of the Board. His
visit was prompted by a desire to urge
the necessity for a contagious disease
hospital. Mr.. Hewitt recited facts that
came to his notice daily. One example
was that of two children suffering from
scarlet fever. They had to be removed
from their poverty stricken home and
Mr.. Hewitt sent them to the Aims House.
de knew they would not be admitted be-
cause of the contagious disease, but he
also knew from experience that they
would be sheltered IN the smallpox pest
house, which, disgraceful as 1t may seem,
is open TO receive all contagious diseases,
although only created for smallpox pa
tients.
Dir. Converse informed Mr.. Hewitt he
had done wrong in transferring the chill
dren without first obtaining the consent
of the Health Board u that he a
made himself liable TO fine OF $50. DR..
Gordon added that this was true.
But" said Mr.. Hewitt, common hui
mainly demanded it. These children
were poverty stricken and Ill. The
Board frequently sends patients to the
smallpox hospital VINO do not suffer
from smallpox. Why, | know of cases of
whooping cough being sent to the pest
house"
whose face became flushed and whose
voice raised IN octave, that is entirely
/ the affair of the Board of Health. If the
Bosrd does wrong it Is the members
fault and not yours. It seems to me that
you want TO run both departments"
Mr.. Hewitt modestly disclaimed any
such intention, but said that humanity
demanded hat homeless and sick chill
dren should have some place to 90 10.
DIR. Converse informed the Poormaster
that the Board had $500 10 be used in
building u contagious disease hospital 10
meet such cases; but that the lowest bid
received for the work was 5000. Ia July,
the Board expected to have money
enough to build. This closed the dis
cussion.
William II. Lawler, of Avenue o, Bay
onne, renewed his co nplaint against the
property OF Carr & Hodson, which WAS
condemned by the STATE Board Of Health.
| Counsellor Henry Winfield aid the com
plant was not warranted. Emmet Smith,
ne said, was president OF the company,
and William Booth, treasurer.
Mr.. Winfield reported progress In the
suit TO compel Bryant Smith TO remove a
manure vault. lie also reported that the
off q pool of stagnant water on Fifth
street could not he avoided because the
nearest sewer was 300 feet distant. lie
said the Board could not compel the
owner Of the land. supposed to be James
Romaine, TO build a sewer 10 connect
with the Monmouth street pipe and thus
abate the nuisance. but il could sue &c
collect a penalty OF SO and continue
suing until the nuisance was abated.
DIR. Gordon moved that this course be
pursued In this case aud IN that OF the Mel
son avenue nuisance, which drains intt
! Alexander Row on St. Pauis avenue
Mr.. Winfield presented "a report on pro
posed legislation. aud he recomnsnded
the Chancellor be given more power II
nuisance cases. ard that the law author-
izing the construction OF sewers bs
amended 50 that when the Board o.
Health recommends the construction OF
Sc wer the matter shall be referred to {
/ Supreme Court justice aud bis decision
shall be final. DIR. Gordon moved tina
the Legislature be requested to pass thess
measures aud it was 80 ordered.