, 1892-08-20

AAO1 H4CoShS 80 49, " ~ S
time, or at least, may increase the malaria
(Which comes on in our wet season.
Now, Sir, coal, as have already stated, has
been stored in this city not for a short time,
but for over thirty years with scarcely any
intermission. And further, there have been
larger quantities stored here than the five
hundred tons which have SO aroused Mr.. yell
verton's fears.
The period between 1882 and the present
year, during which the public health with
the exception of the prevalence of measles and
influenza, which Mr.. Yelverton could scarcely
attribute to coal has been remarkably good,
and yet there have been at one time as much
as twelve to fifteen hundred tons of coal in this
city. If therefore this proves anything, it
should prove, according to Mr.. Yelverton's
method of reasoning, that the presence of coal
is beneficial and not detrimental to health.
In order to support the position he has as
sumed in this matter Mr.. Yelvertor gives us
two or three alleged facts as to the vera
city, Of which he is careful not to pledge"
himself, and which he still further qualities by
adding, IF true"
These alleged facts Of which he lis in so
much doubt that he will not "pledge" him
self as to their ''veracity" he has the hardihood
to say completely annihilate the position of
any one inconsiderate enough to advocate the
storage of coal in Nassau
But what if these alleged facts are not
facts, where is Mr.. Yelverton +? To these "aI-
legged facts" | reply.
l, In 1862 there was very little coal stor-
ed in this city, and that no coal was removed
from the city to Hog Island Depots of coal
were established at Hog Island for other than
sanitary reasons. The space along the water
front few wharves were then built out) was
too valuable to be used for storing coal. Room
was needed for cotton, and other more valua-
BILE articles than Goals, and therefore it was
landed at various spots on Hog Island, some
almost Immediately opposite the city. 1t was
impossible forships to discharge coal and for
steamers to be loading on this side when wharf
room was SO much needed for the landing and
loading Of other cargoes by steamers and sail
ing vessels.
In 1870 and 1879, there Were no larger de-
posts Of coal, and indeed less than at other
times, and no one ever connected the preva-
lence of Yellow Fever with it. 1t has ALWAYS
been conceded that yellow fever is not gene
rated here. 1t has always been introduced
from other places, and, given the material,
it will spread either until that is exhausted or
the autumn comes in.
2. In 1870 there was little orr coal stored
in this city, but there was small supply re-
naming at one or two dep6ts on Hog Island.
Neither in 1868, 1870 nor in 1879 was coal re-
moved from this City to Hog Island.
s. rs already answered,
4. Last autumn, barring q few cases of
Measles, which afterwards became epidemic,
the season was exceptionally healthy. This is
beyond doubt.
5. st. Thomas and Havana without regard
to deposits of coal, have always been consider
cd to be the home of Yellow Fever. But
what connection can there be between coal and
this disease, when in HAVANA almost two
centuries prior to the advent of coal there,
Yellow fever made its first appearance? Coal
is still kept in large quantities in St. Thomas
and yet very rarely does Yellow Fever prevail.
Mr.. Yelverton, when his voice was first
raised, intimated that there was an authority
in the Public Library that would inform q
reader as to the poisonous character of some of
the gases emanating from coal The gases,
however, are usually evolved from freshly
mined coal, and are mostly of explosive nature.
No medical or scientific authority has ever
connected coal with contagious or infectious
disease. In fact, we are indebted to it for
some of the most powerful disinfectants and
antiacptics known, in which. if report be true.
Mr.. Yelverton especially delights.
Indeed, coal is destructive, not productive,
of disease.germs, and thel efore can neither
produce Yellow Fever nor contribute to the
spread of it.