New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-06
Il PROTEST FROM THE NORMANNII.
q. L. GODkIN CEkrIFIES TO THE PERFECT
HEALTH or ALL SALOON PASSENGERS
ON THAT SHIP.

TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir Your paper Of this morning contains the follow
ing para graph Most serious Of all the elements Of
danger In the general opinion perhaps, Is the fact
that the maady has not been confined to the stcerasc
but has found its way into the first cabin OF the Nor
MAMMA. 1t should. therefore, be understood at
that official precautions Iigidy and I'M
partially exercised In regard 70 those who paid the
highest price for their transportation TO the rest
there will he extra and peculiar danger from thai
source There cannot be shadow OF doubt that this
course ought to be faithfully pursued, and trust
that there Is reason to suspect discrimination In
favor OF the saloon passengers among whom the
pestence has appeared. Compassion for those who
may safer special inconvenience and discomfort from
the situation in which they have been placed cannot
be permitted TO imperl the millions who have not yet
been exposed"
will not say word to the cruelty OF making
an announcement this without the fullest
knowledge Of the facts. In view OF the alarm and
anxiety 1t is likely 10 dfuse among the friends and
relatives Of the 525 cabin passengers now detained
here under very trying circumstances, particularly as
1t closes with sort of threat Of popular Indignation
against the Health Officer in he consuts his own
judgment instead of popular clamor in dealing with the
case Of the Normanna.
Suffice 1t say that there is not and never las been
any cholera or other contagious disease Of descrp
don among the cabin passengers on this ship. One
has died. but he was in the last stage OF diabetes 70
turning from fruitlcss visit Carlsbad TIE Others
men, and children, have been and are no"
perfectly healthy. We are detained here. DO not
say Improperly, simply because We have had inlcceu
steerage passengers on board. They have all peeh
removed and their quarters fumgated, and there Is no
good reason for surprising that the cabin
are even in danger. Cholera, as l. Well KNOWN
is disease transmitted by direct contact, and IS cx
ceediDgly rare among the wcllclethed ana weiiIeu
and lcleanly class In any country. understand NeIy
we'll how 1t Is that OF your contemporaries snou
Try to make August sensation out OF our mis-
fortune and discomfort by describing this ship AS a
"pest-housc," but many Of my fellow passenger as
well myself, read your editorial remarks yesleNnY
with genuine astOnshment. Pray remember that uicre
are q large number Of and children among us
who have been long absent from home, and OF men
who guilty OF offence but taking holiday, ana
who therefore ought not to be Imprisoned here one
minute longer than the requirements OF publc safety
sscertained by scientific observation. may pirSclDe
Yours truly. +. l.. NoDhiN.
ON board the Normannia sept. 8. 1892
I'VE Willingly print Mr. Godkins letter, but we
cannot admit that his complaint Of The Tribune is
just We have diligently sought not to create
alarm, but to alla,' it. The report, since denied
that saloon passenger aboard the Normannia had
died of cholera was believed IN he official. and wac
generally printed as such in the papers. For ali
who are confined on infected vessels in the Lower
Bay we feel the sincerest compassion, but We can
not think that pity ought to suggest imprudence
or that the time has come TO modify the restric-
tions advised by the President spd approved by
the whole country.-Ed)