The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-19

/ taking steps TO prevent it coming here
4 tai. The man, more than any other
Who will have this great work in charge
is Dr.. William I. Jenkins, health officer
of the port and who was last year
subjected TO such severe criticism for
/ his treatment Of the passengers who
came from Europe in cholera ships.
was seated next to DR.. Jenkins at din.
ner the ether night and had an oppor-
tunity TO talk with him about the mat
ter. Some days later | visited him in
his home on Staten Island, overlooking
the Quarantine station and the lower
bay. He disclosed the plans he has
adopted to keep cholera out of the city,
and the difference between meeting an
emergency now and twelve months ago.
The doctor, by name, is known all over
the civilized world, Mothers in Europe
brighten their babies by telling them
they viii be sent to New York in a ship
and Or. Jenkins will put them on an
island. Yet the health officer is d mild
hammered man, a native of Mississippi,
has side whiskers and is about medium
in height. He has the quick movements
of Yankee, 4 habit that he acquired
when he was 2 Coroner of Gotham. He
has been described as an autocrat by
those detained in Quarantine, but no
man has more personal friends, as was
proved by tho great banquet given in
his honor recently. He is brother-in-
law of Richard Croker, and receives a
salary OF Sf2. 500 year.
Doctor. if cholera should rage in
Europe next summer, are you fully pre-
pared to keep it out by 4uarantine?" l
asked.
Yes" was the reply, 81 believe I
can keep it cut of this port. But before
] tell you what has been done since
cholera came here last fall, it is neces-
sary to recapitulate little. IT must be
remem bered that, no to two years ago,
the health officer received his pay in
fees. | suppose these fees often
amounted to SIS, 600 per annum. The
republicans, owing to the fact that the
state senate had to confirm the appoint
ment OF the health officer, managed to
keep IN one of their political faith for
dozen years, although a democratic
governor had time and again nominated
a health officer. Quarantine was in the
hands of republicans for many years.
They never talked about national su-
pervision and uniform regulations dur
ing that time. Now all the employees
are paid by the state except those on
Hoffman and Swinburne islands, who
are appointed by the quarantine com
miSsioners and paid with the fees col
iectcd at this port. After the fire de-
stroyed the Quarantine at Stapleton, S.
l., 1t was decided to bald on the two
islands named, at cost OF Sc. 600. 600.
In 1887 cholera was brought to this port
In vessel from Italy, and that stirred
up the local authorities. A committee
OF the Academy OF Medicine, in response
TO .. communication from the president
OF the New York BOARD of Health. met
November Is. 1887. Mayor Hewitt In
structed the committee to make a thor
ough and early investigation OF the
quarantine esta blishmcnt and TO point
Quits defects in order to bring il up to
the highest ideal standard of modern
science and medical knowledge. To
estimate the amount TO be appropriated
by the State. in order to complete the
necessary improvements and generally
10 suggest whether the City OF New
Nork should provide any but temper
airy hospitals in ease there should be an
outbreak OF cholera in our midst They
visited Quarantine and made a report
in January. 1883, but never suggested
2 Aa.,~ =
any emergency"
When you took charge Of Quarantine
as health officer aid YOU imagine YOU
wouid be a. well known throughout the
country rs you are now"
II had no premonition OF what |
should have 10 endure. Health Officer
Smith. my predecessor, said to NE
when succeeded him: Uneasy Is the
head that wears crown lie stated
the ease mildly, WheGeve~ ! have 20
speak words OF encouragement TO my
successor. | shall say found my posi-
ton living haies. with small devils
bounding at ne. Il s not neccssar.
to dwell upon the attacks made upon
me by the press l have been called
everything, ana accused Of almost
everything, but can point 20 the great
city OF New York. and say there IS no
cholera. and what's more. don't think
there VIII be-
TO return 10 the first question The
ateflegsslatGre appropriated S320. 600.
suns il deemed necessary 10 pr. HoGs-
man ana SNiuourue i>.anGs in excellent
condition. Tie ereBla,ory Tor the dead.
tie appJrataS to- ci>iatevting b. steam
anc other Things en- the islands. the re-
Ii-;cr hea7.a Officer declared - i've :,