The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-03
TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT.
CLASH BETWEEN THE Police AND
HEALTH AUTHoRTTIES.
The Appointment OF Fourth Sanitary on
Ger Creates Ripple Upon the smooth
waters ofthe City Government.

''Tant de bruit pour une omelette," or
.'much ado about nothing" might be
properly said OF the squabtle which is at
present existing between the Health De-
partment and Police Department OF the
city government. The trouble is caused
by the appointment OF n fourth police
oificer as sanitary officer.
In order to thoroughly understand the
situation 1t might be well to consider the
facts which led up TO the difficulty.
II has been the custom of the city
government to lease out the collection
OF garbage from May LIST TO october Slst
every year. For some reasons IL was de-
cided last year by the health authorities
that at the expiration OF the contract
on october 81. 1892. the city should perula-
nently take charge OF the work.
DR. Oppenhimer. the president Of the
Board of Health, was recently instructed
by the Committee on Health 20 draw
up an ordinance which would provide for
this change In order to make the col
lection OF garbage as thorough and ef;ec-
tive as possible It was deemed wise 10
divide the whole city in four sanitary
districts, instead OF three, as prescribed
under the existing law. Each district is
placed under the supervision of SAM
tary officer, a member OF the police force
detailed for this work by the chief OF
police. The sanitary officers, in turn.
have TO report TO the president of the
Board OF Health, from whom they are TO
receive their Instructions under the pro-
visions of the city ordinance
The ordinance was framed ana duiy
considered in detail by the committee,
who recommended It's passage TO the Cl'y
Council.
At the last meeting Of the Common
Council, on February 9Th, the ordinance
was Iazsed by that body. But before ii
could become law the Board OF Aldermen
had TO concur In the action OF the lower
branch and the Mayor had TO approve the
same.
on the afternoon OF Monday. February
18th, the information was given out that
Policeman c. w. Rex had been detailed
TO be the fourth sanitary officer. In com
plIance with one OF the provisions OF the
new ordinance. However, only on that
evening the Board of Aldermen concurred
in the action Of the Common Council,
and subsequently the ordinance was APP
proved by the Mayor.
The Committee on Health met on Feb
ruary Bd, for the first time atter the
ordinance had become law, and part OF
the session was taken UP by discus
sion as TO the best manner in which to
carry out the provisions OF the new law.
The question as to the detailing or
fourth sanitary offcer was also FeHlIdteu
at some length.
Mr. Rex who had been appointed by the
chief OF police for this office, has done
temporary duty in that capacity before
at times when one of the regular sanitary
officers was kept busy at the Exposition
Grounds. Several members OF the com
n 81.
did not believe Mr.. Rex TO be the proper
man for the position on account OF his
moor health. They took the ground that II
reouired a man OF strong constitution
10 fill the place TO the best interests OF
the city and TO superintend the WORK ana
the men in an efficient manner
The committee, however, ala not want
10 directly reject the officer as ineihcieht'
and after some elaboration MIR. Grimes
offered a motion providing that the chlel
OF police be requested to detail Police
Ofbcer Marion b. Sutton as fourth sani-
tary officer and that the chairman, cap
tain Reeve, be asked to communicate
This request TO the chief OF police. This
motion was unanimously adopted
The provision under which the detail
of the sanitary officer is made is contained
In section IL of chapter Il OF the City
Ordinances concerning the Boaru Vi
Health. and reads as follows;
"The chief of police shall detail -FOUR
of the police force TO report to the presi-
dent of the Board Of Health, to act as
sanitary inspectors.
Section Ii of the same chapter contains
the following provision:
in the event of the inefticiency OF any
q, satd inspectors, the Board of Health
,s empowered TO report the fact TO the
chief of police and demand new In
snect0r"