The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-01

DR. WM. T. JENKINS.
taking steps to prevent it coming hero
a tall. The man, more than any other.
who will have this great work in Charge
is Dr.. William II. 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 ut din
ner the other night and had an oppor-
tunity TO talk with him about the mat
ter Some days later l visited him in
his home on Staten Island. overlooking
The Quarantine station and the lower
bay. lie 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 will be sent to New York in ship
and DR.. Jenkins will put them on an
island. Yet the health officer is mild
hammered man, native of Mississippi
has side whislsers and is about medium
in height He has the quick movements
of Yankee, Il habit that he acquired
when he was a 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 the great banquet given in
his honor recently. He is brother-in-
law of Richard Croker, and receives 4
salary of SIP, 500 a year.
doctor, if cholera should rage in
Europe next summer, are you fully pre-
pared to keep ii out by quarantine? !
asked.
Yes" was the reply, ~ believe
can keep it out of this port. But before
Tell you what has been done since
cholera came here last fall, it is neccs-
sary 10 recapitulate little. 1t must be
remembered that, mp TO two years ago,
the health officer received his pay in
fees, suppose these fees often
amounted to S75, 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 a
dozen years, although democratic
governor had time and again nominated
health officer Quarantine va:c.iiina the
s.Sds of ,,y.hE -'ar''r 80 ''>
han0,- ,.uo,icans for many years.
They never talked about national SUI
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
arc appointed by the quarantine com
missioners and paid with the fees col
lected at this port After 1he fire de
stroyed the Quarantine at Stapleton, 5.
l., it was decided to build on the two
islands named, Mt cost of S3,0Oo,0O0.
In 1887 cholera was brought to this port
in vessel from Italy, and that stirred
mp the local authorities. committee
o. the Acadcmy.of Medicine, in response
to communication from the president
OF the New York Board OF Health, met
Novem her IL, 1887. Mayor Hewitt in
sirucied the committee to make thor
ough and early investigation of the
quarantine establishment and to point
Quits defects in order to bring il up 40
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
to suggest whether the City OF New
York should provide any but temper
Ary hospitals in case there should DE an
outbreak of cholera in our midst They
visited Quarantine and made a report
in January, 1888. but never suggested
the extension of facilities for meeting
any emergency"
when you took charge Of Quarantine
as health officer did you imagine you
would be as we'll known throughout the
country as Won are now?''
Il had no premonition OF what J
should have to endure. Health Officer
Smith, my predecessor, said TO me
when succeeded him: Uneasy is the
head that wears crown. He stated
the case mildly. Whenever | have 10
speak words of encouragement 10 my
successor, ] shall say found my posi-
ton a-liying hades, will. small devils