The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-19


to show that Dr.. Sparkling docs not consider the
interests OF the city We. therefore, most re-
Epecttuliy ask that you remove Dr.. Sparkling and
substitute for him a competent person. who
will consider the interests of the city IN more
respects than one.
Respectfully.
j. T. RONALD,
Chairman.
j. NJ. CARsoS,
Comptroller.
j. :. kLoEgER,
Pfcst House of Delegates
Auditing Committee
The letter was handed to DIR. 4. A.
Churchill, president of the board of health,
on Saturday morning and an informal
meeting of the board was held in the after
noon. 1t was the unanimous opinion of
the members that the communication did
DR.. Sparkling an injustice and reelected
upon the judgment of the board. Presi-
dent Churchill was appointed 4 committee
Of one to reply to the committees request
and charges. Acting under these instruc-
tions the following reply was written and
mailed TO Hon. j. I. Ronald, chairman Of
the committee:
To the Auditing Committee OF the City Coun-
cil-Gentiemea: We have read the letter recently
addressed 10 the board OF health, s.gaei by you,
You request MS to remove DR.. Sparkling from the
post OF health officer, and you base your action
on two grounds. First-fon ask US ''to substi-
tufe for him competent person" The charge
10 that OF incompetency. Sccond--You charge
that "Dr. Sparkling does not for the interests
of the city" Now II either of these CHARGES Is
true We ought 10 agreewith you Mt once that the
public interest demands his immediate removal.
Let us look at the first charge. Before any of
the sound cities had established q quarantine
against smallpox few cases broke Out In Seat
tie. There was imminent danger of
~ spreading and becoming epidemic
here. As IL was, there was something
OF q panic aud the utmost promptness
and intelligent action was necessary. Dr.
Sparkling. under instruction from the board OF
health. at once prepared the pest house for the
reception OF infected patients An excellent
nurse and later competent physician were en-
ploycd, and every case Of the disease promptly
removed to the pest house and every trace of in
lection here promptly stamped out. In yaucou-
Yer. snohomish aud other places on the Sound
the pest, from an equally small beginning. as
sumed truly formidable proportionA In the
pressure for immediate action it was impossible
always to secure the best help at the lowest
price, but the charges have never appeared to us
unreasonable. What man in his own private
family has not had the same experience?
This IL the whole foundation for the second
charge that 'Dr. Sparkling does not care for the
Interest Of the city, Is IL for the n;eres, Of the
city TO save few dollars by running about to
Ind . man who will do disagreeabls Job for
the price OF pleasant one. when speedy action
Is the essential element Of success and SAFETY?
Tho specific case in proof OF this charge given
In your letter 10 this "The bill recently audited
by US In favor OF Mr.. Small Is sufficient to show
that DR.. spariing does not consider the interests
OF the city," And what Is this bill? An honest
laborer well known to the citizens, in the midst
.,fSl. Il f..~ 81 a.
so once day six miles With his own team and
carry provision to the four sick patients and
attendants at the pest house for s. 20 day The
board cf health approved the bill aud asked for
its payment This, however, is proof enough In
the eyes of the auditing committee that Dr.
Sparkling does not consider the pecunisry inter-
ests OF the city. There is no use of denying
shat this charge II intended to reflect on the
board OF health as well on DIR. Sparung
Nor Is this the only case In which the COM
mittee has asserted its superior wisdom and
public spirit Within two months thirteen dead
animals found on the streets have been reported
by the police to tie sanitary object He en-
ployed O man and team in each case TO find tho
carcass, often miles away, and csrry il TO the
garbage wharf To he sunk in the Sound. When
the bill. 1850, was presented 10 the council M
proved by the board of health. you inaguapi.
mously cut IL down oao-hsif. ard even debated
whether anything should b. allowed, asserting
1 ia
salary. Why this officer owed that To the city
rather than the mayor or city comptroller Won
did not state. IL Ia now impossible IN
md man willing 20 do such work and nm
such risk OF having a fair price denied him for
IT, dead COW was reported lying near Green
lake. No man could be found who would take
IL away. though a reasonable Price was renea,.
ediy offered, the reply being always, The audit
Ing committee will not allow the bill such
aeticn soon becomes known among the work -
men and paraiyzes our usefulness Ia the same
way the salary of the most excellent nurse who
had cared day and night for four smallpox IA
0cnts. including Their cooking aud washing
under promise OF s. a day. You cut down 10 SOS
wecks the price Of al ordinary nurse for one
person. who has no such loathsome disease ,hu.
putting the hostd OF health contract AZ paught
The men at the pest house had plain. whole.
sosne diet. yet We have heard ot YOU obiectln, tn
ths iuxurics allowed them such as a very com
mon laeorer in Seattle Is accustomed TO These
men were not ou.casN or tFsInps, bat good eli.
scns The whole expense totAe CITY Of ALI thu
smallpox i,cms-pest house examinations vac.
etnations. physicians fees. nurse labor uroyts-
ions. furniture. heddins. clothing. ete -
amounts TO bu, t,Na -. which includes the
operation Of the pest house tor seventy-tye
days, also boarding thiriy-Gvc reocie ,lurtny
fourteen days quarantine. Tacoma with no
patients aud no quarantine Of suspect ted casss
expended about 81. eoo 10 secure the city a ike
Immunity from TIE pest
Against Dr. Sparkling or the board OF health
you have therefore absolutely no case xhn,.v,r
but, having tied hts hands and hesmtreaet his
name, Won ssk US 10 complete tbs ,utsny by in
dorsiug your action There is not more E.slou.
or sfieent osg.eer en- tae city, not excopt,a, The
wise gentlemen % tho auditing Commute, ans.
Ne caur 40 close without reminding the com.
nissre a Ahs position Ia which Seattle stand,
ON tho eho1ess question The board Of hea.th,
working without pay OF hope of reward undo,
grssA responsibility. has been much Ia Goa.
suAon6ion upon this question. 50 vital "a oar in.
s0u1 ~ q city. We have unanimously recon,
m<oaea to the council the measures
which we would adopt and which
have proved 50 easeseious in other cities
thorough cleansing .! the city streets sad house
toulouse visitation by LEGAL inspectcra Thess
recommendations the council hss 80 far tailed
10 inaorse or recommend, SO the 9th. like ths
dead COW ss Green lake. remain 60 roliCse shs
air aaa invite the residence
Gentlemen. whea tssss isct> become public