The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-01-14

making four hundred thousand dollars
in all advanced by the bank and secured
BY the pledge Of Kemble's personal Sc
cuTities.
The sum originally borrowed would
have been sufficient. under ordinary cir
eumstances, for the amount of work done
butit became necessary TO render assist
ance. to a moderate extent, in other parts
Of the State, and the extraordinary and
dangerous character Of the work 70 De
done increased the wsge rate over what
was ordinarily paid to such an extent
that the entire amount borrowed, with
the exception of a small balance, was
expended and the vouchers therefore
have been carefully audited by the Audi
tor General.
This money, under the terms Of the
pledge or obligations given therefore, was
not to bear interest. l respectfully rec
ommend, therefore, that an appropria-
ton be Immediately msde to reimburse
the bank making the advancement, the
full amount advanced by it, 50 that the
repayment may be made at the earliest
practicable date; such appropriation to
be surrounded by the usual safeguards
as to vouchers 70 be furnished for the ex-
penditure thereof
In the conference with the Pittsburgh
relief COMMITTEES, demand was made for
the return Of the money expended by it
in work which was considered as lsgiti-
mateiy belonging TO the State. Having
no authority, under the provisions Of the
act Of 1885, TO return money already ex-
pended, no sueh return could be made !;
but it vas promised that the matter
should be called TO the attention of the
Legislature and a recommendation made
by me for an appropriation to repay so
much Of the money as had been exPend-
ed in work which should have been done
BY the State. The amount then alleged
10 have been expended by the committee
in the general work al Johnstown, was
one hundred and twenty thousand dol
lars. No account ofthat work has ever
been furnished me. nor has there been
any detailed statement with accompany
ing vouchers showing what portion Of
said amount, if any, was properly charge
able to charity and what TO work proper
to be done under the direction Of the
State Board Of Health.
The lines Of railway and telegraphie
communication east of Johnstown we're
50 seriously interfered with that it was
difficult to reach that region with sup
plies for several days. The lines running
westward were soon restored and early
suceor was brought to the afflicted people
Of the region from that direction Gov
ernor Foraker, ef Ohio, responded 10 the
cry for help Immediately BY sending q
large quantity ef tents belonging to the
State, under charge of the Adjutant Gen
eral. These tents remained in use for q
considerable time and were of great bene-
1T in affording shelter. to the homeless
people Of the community.
Appropriations in money. for the bene-
fit of our food sufferers, were made by
one or more of cur sister States, aeknowl
edgment Of which has been made in de
tail in the report of the FIood Relic
Commission.
The people Of Johnssown and itsneigh
boring boroughs. although utterly cas-
down and apparently dis eomfited for s
time, gradually recovered their tone an,
hope took the place Of despair. Tat
community has in e surprising degre'
recovered its wonted activity and pros
] perity, and will in time become NOR,
/ firmly established and prosperous thar
/ ever before. As one Of the immediate
I results Of the obliteration of municipa
lines and conflicting interests, the ques
I ton Of consolidation was submitted Il
/ the people in accordance with the pro
visions Of law covering that subject, anS
as . consequence Of their vote upon it th,
city of Johnstown was duly organized
and established, and the final result de
/ clared by letiers-patent under the hans
Of the Governor and the seal Of the Stat
on the 18th Of December, 1883. Thl
municipal organization viii, it is believ
ed, enabled the people to control thei
domestic Affairs much more efficientl,
than was the case prior to the time o
the food, and is one Of the good result
indirectly brought about BY that disaster
STATE BOARD oF HEALTH.
The necessity for, and the work don
by, the State Board Of Health through
out large PARTON Of the Commonwealth
for many months succeeding the floods {
/ 1889, demonstrates the necessity for tn
existence Of the board and the wisdor
Of enlarging its power. The waterway
of the Commonwealth are becomin
more and more the source Of water sur
ply TO all our cities and larger town
The purity Of the water therein becomes
therefore, question Of vital importanc.
The Investigations Of the Board Of Healt
prove conclusively thai in many classe
of epidemic diseases, prevention Is eas
if the water can be controlled and pur
fed. The time has come when the lie,
islature should take decided grounds an
prompt action upon this subject. 1t ma
/ become necessary to revolutionize OF
entire system of sewerage for cities, towr
and public institutions. Instead 4,
emptying this mass Of corruption int
our streams, carrying disease and deaf
TO those who deRnd upon them for the
water supply, it viii be necessary TO d
wise and carry into execution some ea
cient system of disposing of the seweras
Of dense communities. / recommen
that the authority Of the State Board
Health over such subjects be increase
with such safeguards as may be neee
sary, and that the appropriation for the
general expenses be so increased as
enable them TO make careful and tho
ough investigation and experiment as
the best means Of avoiding the DANCE
herein recited, and at the same time 8
fording an effieiert and healthful systel
Of sewerage