The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-01
CITY CEMETERIES.
Something Should Be Done to Prohibi
Further BuriaIs in hem.

Something Should Be Done to Prohibit
Further BuriaIs in I hem.
On June 10, 1880, THE CALL gave its views
editorially OH the subject Of burial grounds
in cities. Though II years have passed
since then, San Francisco still permits an
average Of u burials daily not only within
the corporate limits of the city but practically
in the very heart of its residence district
Is it not time that something should be done
to put stop to this imposition upon the
health of the living, or must the people still
continue to breathe the noxious exhalations
of decomposing humanity which poison.the
ocean breezes and are waited to every cor
ner Of the city? 1t Is but right that the
Supervisors should now cope with this ques-
ton and do something by which the people
shall be guaranteed in their inherent right
to pure air.
The editorial referred to was as follows:
Burial Grounds in Cities.
The rapid growth of modern cities brings
the living and the dead in close proximity.
The swelling tide OF living humanity pours
over the landmarks erected to define the
resting place of the dead. In all modern
cities the question of what to do with the
loved ones laid away to rest has become
more or less perpexing. Instinct shrinks
from any encroachment upon the domain OF
those who have gone before US. E7en ava
rice and greed lose their keenness at the
boundary of the cemetery. The ground
within is consecrated. and is not fit subject
for speculation. In dealing with this ques-
ton two principles should be kept in view:
first, the health Of the living, and second,
the sacredness which surrounds the dead.
The custom of making houses for the
dead should be encouraged by holding as
perfect titles acquired for that pur-
hill IL, L., g.,
tomb should feel as secure in his title as
if he were building residence. That this
permanent title may DO secured without
placing bar IN the progress OF the living,
burial-places should be set apart with
view to their preservation in the remote
future. Every city needs It's small parks, TO
serve as lungs for healthy humanity, and
there is no violation Of the sanctity of such
Enclosures in keeping them for these pur-
poses. They may even become places OF
popular resort without the least violation Of
the sentiment which prompts their original
Enclosure. 81 As the living tide approaches
this boundary, new lntermentS may be pro-
hibited, but under no OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
should the work of disinterment be permit
ted. AS the city marches on and extends
its boundary 1t can retain undisturbed
within its limits the various graves of men
and women who bore their part in the labor
of its early growth. The memories OF men
who deserve well OF this generation may
thus be preserved, though their past may
not have been sufficiently conspicuous TO
insure them place in history. The health
OF the living is not threatened by this
preservation of burial grounds Nature
has its own process Of publication,
and the sluxurient verdure of these in
closures shows that in the dust to dust"
command natures law is but fulfilled. San
Francisco, like other growing cities, has
this problem 10 consider. The burial
grounds which seemed we'll into the country
ten years ago, are now on the borders of
pOpulous districts. Dwellings already cluS-
ter at the foot of Lone Mountains and
street-cars deposit their living freight at the
very gates OF the cemetery. But the tramp
ling Of The living need not disturb the dead.
Let the place be kept forever devoted to its
present purpose, though the time will soon
come when future burials must cease. But
those now there and those who will be put
there in the next few years can sleep on.
There is room for the living beyond, and
we need not deny the hardy pioneers the
little space they now occupy in the city they
helped TO build. The modern Improvements
in methods Of conveyance serve to simplify
this problem. The principal cemetery for
London is 40 miles from the city, and with
Steam-cars running direct to Ii is not more
distant, If space is measured by the time
and expense of traYersng ii. than Lone
Mountain is TO US. We must soon make
some such selection for future burials, but
we need not trespass upon the places now
set apart for such purposes, nor In any way
disturb or impair the rights of prOpertys