Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-09-17
THE PASSENGERS PROTEST
An Appeal to Gov. Flower From
the Normannia.
A Recitation OF Their Grievances---Left
to the Hercy of Tho Cholera EaciI-
lus---No Aid From the
Health Officers.

New YoRK, Sept. 9-The following
letter has been scnt to the governor OF
Now York state by the committee OF
sanitation on board the quarantined
steamship Normannin.
To the Hon II +. Flower, Governor OF
the State OF New York: The undersigned
a committee representing the hrst and
second cabin passengers of the steam.
ship Normannia now IN quarantine
In the port Of New York,
respectfully state that rs good
citizens we cheerfnlly submit TO such de.
tention as may DO deemed necessary by
sanitary experts for the preservation OF
the public health, but we hold that while
undergoing such necessary detention, wo
are entitled, Mt the hands of the authori-
ties TO as much care and protection
against infection as any other body of
healthy citizens. AS persons innocent of
crime and suffering discomfort In the
public interest, ii Is our right to rave that
discomfort reduced 90 q minimum. and to
this end 10 expense should be spared, or
reasonable precaution neglected. but such
measures have not been taken and
500 persons, mostly citizens OF the United
States, ave been OK rosed TO infec ION to
their own danger aud tho danger of the
public. 10 show this to be true. we sub.
init the following facts: NO have beer
detained since 4 o'clock Saturday morn.
ing by order Of the health officers aud yet
during that time no official inspection OF
the ship or visit to the sick has been made
by that officer, or anyone representing
him. no scientific expert, o. other aid
infection of the ship, but this
work has been left entirely
10 the captain and his crew.
Disinfectants asked for and promised
have not been furnished, SO that the work
Of disinfection begun by the ships ofiic-
ials has been stopped. Nc means have
been provided for communication with the
health officers, with the result that the
siok and the dead have been retained on
the ship for an undue time. Fresh water
has not been provided TO replace that put
on board from the Elbc, although applica.
ton has been made therefor, aud the
water tanks of the ship have been
emptied, cleaned and otherwise made
ready TO receive 1t
We hereby solemnly declare that ut this
moment there is no Illness among the
cabin passengers, nor has there been for
eight days, nor Is there any undue excite
ment, much less panic, amongst them,
Can II be possible that the national gov
eminent, the governor, president aud peo-
pie of New York will permit $50 OF their
fellow citizens, all now in good health, TO
w lObkNi Pcnlth UP Ou bhla sup NlNuOll
proper inspection or even nuy knowledge
on the pant Of any official, federal or state,
that tho ship has boon properly disin-
feotedi Therefore we pray that yous ex-
cellency will put at the disposal of the
health officer such competent aud ex-
pert assistance W tn every appliance nee
essary 10 enable him to at once take
charge of this ship and put The same in n
perfect sanitary condition and thus re-
lieve us from our present jeopardy. Now
that you know the truth we venture TO
hope that you will act promptly. Longer
delay In this matter seems 20 us TO ap.
proach criminality.
j. Il. MCPHERSON,
TIVE HEINRoTH,
julius LUMEBERo,
EDWIN l. GoDKIS,
EoBT NJ. Tn MPsoN,
A NJ PALMER.
j. ). ~RosgNTHAt,
ID . +. L. LANCE.
Accompanying the letter is the re-
port of the passenger committee on
sanitation, giving a detailed statement
OF the condition of things and signed
by six physicians. passengers on board
the ship