The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-30

so far az public sentiment with referencet 70
the proposed crematory has found expression
| there seems 10 be the fullest determination
that it shall be erected, but there appears 70 DO
a strong opposition TO it's being placed within
the city limits. This feeling of local hostili'y
| should. wo think, be consulted If II can DO
found to be perfectly consistent with the BEST
interests Of the community at large.
The objections to the erection OF the Gro
matory in the city undoubtedly rest upon ten
able grounds.
However perfectly such an institution may
operate in theory, nevertheless IN practce
the collection Of garbage in one spot WITHIN
our corporate boundaries will necessarily give
forth al odor which with the varying winds,
will be carried to great distance. Theoreti-
cally the garbage will be dumped from tho carts
into the furnace In practice, there will always
be pile of it on hand to emit an unhealthy
stencil The dumping cannot be Clearly done
Theoretically, the smoke-stack TO the furnace
will imperceptibly carry off the odors; but
practically-in damp weather at least-these
odors will settle over O considerable portion
OF the Guy anu DC DlOWA dDOOh N
Der of our streets.
II Is decidedly questionable whether the
crematory should be put 30 near to the asy
lum of our city poor. Itshould be remembered
that they canrot escape from 1t by moving
their residences, but must submit TO Whatever
detriment may follow to their comfort ana
health.
Again. the crematory in this locality would
add 10 the offensive character OF Bacon-tluar-
ter branch, along the banks OF which the
filthy slaughter-houses now stand, and into
which the sewerage of nearly all OF that sec
ton Of Richmond is emptied. 1t is itself 10
all intents and purposes an open sewer. run
ming through nearly the whole length OF the
city. and is the cause of large percentage OF
the deaths in Richmond.
We understand that the Committee on
Health Of the Chamber of Commerce has be-
fore il now the proposition Of removing these
slaughter-pens and making more suitable ar
rangements for the disposal of the sewerage
Of that section. Ii is thought that they will
soon report that the splendid development Of
this portion of Richmond's suburbs within
the last few years entities the property-hold-
ers there TO ask exactly what the health and
happiness of the people of that section de-
mand-namely. that the slaughter-houses
and all other disease-producing establish
ments on Bacon Quarter branch shall be taken
away.
If this recommendation be carried INTO
effect and the crematory be not located on
the branch. there is reason TO think that the
whole valley will be built up. and all Of that
section put in good sanitaly condition.
Again. the viaduct and the fine roads which
have been recently established in the north
eastern part of the city have opened up one
Of the most attractive drives now to be found
in Richmond. If the crematory is erected on
the proposed site it seems highly probable
that this character will be lost, just as we OBJ
serve to-day an indispostion to use the roads
leading to the slaughter-pens on the part OF
those who are seeking either pleasure or
health in taking the air.
II should also be remembered that many
thousand dollars have been recently invested
in tho general locality where it is proposed to
erect the orematory and upon the prospects
of these properties the crematory must neces-
sarily cast q cloud.
Taking every condition into careful consid-
Grafton, the authorities who have the crema-
tory in charge should finally select situation
which will not subject them 10 the reasonable
criticism of any class of our people or property
holders who reside within the limits Of the
city. This would seem TO necessitate choice
of site either beyond the corporate bounda-
ries or on one Of the islands in the river, az
suggested by Colonel Cutshaw.