The morning call., 1893-05-06
SEND THEM HOME.
What 1t Is Proposed to Do
With the Lepers.
A Scheme Which May Result in Do
ing Away With an Objection
able Pesthouse.

The Pesthouse question assumed a new
phase yesterday.
An attempt will be made to rid the city
of the twelve lepers now living at the Twen-
ty-sxth street hospital. Two plans have
been considered-one to have the Chinese
lepers removed TO China and the other is to
send the other lepers to the Hawaiian
Islands.
Mayor Ellert yesterday held a consulta-
tion in his office with the Chinese Vice
Consul, King Owyang, on the subject Of
transporting the Chinese lepers to China.
The Mayor presented the case strongly to
the Vice-Consul, telling him that it was no
more than right that China should take
care of her own lepers and not leave them
as burden on this city.
The Vice Consul appeared to regard the
Mayors proposition very favOrably aud
said he would give the matter his earnest
consideration.
About twelve years ago a number of Chi
nese lepers were shipped TO China, but
there was some difficulty in the matter Of
their landing
Several days ago Mayor Ellert wrote to
the Hawaiian Consul General at this port,
+. S. Pratt, and informed him of the desire
of this city TO send its lepers TO the leper
colony in the Hawaiian Islands. Consul
Pratt transmitted the letter to his Govern
ment.
Yesterday the Mayor indted and sent a
letter. OF which the following is copy:
Claus S2'rcckels Esq, Honolulu, H. K-DEAR
SIR; A few days since l addressed communi-
cation TO +. 5. Pratt, Hawaiian Consul General
at this port, in relation to the lepers we have
confined al our Pesthonse in this city. It's pur-
port was that we have here about twelve OF these
unfortunate creatures. and the facilities In
adequate 10 their proper care. | understand
that there is In the Hawaiian Islands colony
of some hundreds of lepers, where special alten-
tion Is given them, such attention as yarl eX-
rerience with this peculiar disease suggests
as the most practical for lie treatment and the
comfort OF the afflicted.
In view of this fact l suggested to Mr.. Pra't
that the city and county OF San Francisco would
like to arrange with the Hawaiian Government
TO take charge OF the lepers at present here.
reasonable compensation would be allowed during
their stay In the colony, aud we could readily
arrange for their transportation Mr.. Pratt was
TO forward the communication TO his Govern
ment for1ts consideration.
My object in writing Is to interest you in the
matter and to ask you, as an old resident OF this
city ana one OF It's prominent citizens, TO use
what influence you can toward a completion of
this arrangement You know The difficulties we
labor under In this matter. and ] am sure you
can fully appreciate the advantages of an ar
rangement Of this Kind to all parties concerned.
Hoping you VIII give the request due consider
tioD and trusting TO hear favOrably from you at
'l- ''' , NA''' : remain OD'' L. u'R T. EL1ERr.
Mayor OF the city and county OF san Francisco.
The Mayor has also written to John D.
Spreckels and others on the subject.
The city's chief executive has had consul
tations with some of the Board of Super
visors and members OF the Board Of Health
on the subject, and they seem TO regard the
proposition quite favUrably. Supervisor
James is particularly in favor of the propo-
sition and believes 1t may do away with
pesth0use entirely.
The lepers have been always the chief
cause Of the existence of peSthouse in
this city, there being no such Institution In
other great cities. During the last year
there were but few cases of smallpox and
these could easily be taken charge OF by the
hospitals. as in other cities