The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-03
THINGS OBSERVED AND NOTED.

lhtNOS ObSEhVEU ANU WI ED'
The report which has gained circu'
lation that Congressman Hines con-
siders hopeless the fight in the behalf
Of 7. NJ, Commit for the internal rev
enue collectorship Of this district
renews interest in the contest for the
postmastership of this place IL has
been the general impression here that
whosoever can secure the little con
gressman's Endorsement would be GER
tain to obtain the much coveted plum.
Despite this generally accepted conclu
sion candidates for the poStmastershlp
who had been assured that they could
not secure Mr.. Hines Endorsement
have remained in the field, cher
ishing the hope that some lucky
turn of the political whirligig might
put them IN u position III which they
would not need his kindly Offices. To
these the news that tho doughty little
congressman's wishes are not absolute
with President Cleveland in the matter
of the disposition of the official pat
ronage of this section comes IS very
strong encouragement. They believe
that inGsnuch "a the coll0ctorship
fisht is as he himself terms it, "the
fight OF his lite," defeat in it means de-
feat in other matters in which he is
seeking to have his friends taken
care Of,
An act providing for the establish
ment of boards Of health by borough
councils was passed by the Legislature
and became a law May II, 1898, 1t
provides
That il shall be the duty Of the presi-
dent of the town council or burgess, where
he is The presiding officer, Of every Dor
ough in this commonwealth, within slN
months after the passage OF this act to
nominate by and with the consent OF the
council to appoint 3 board of health OF such
borough to consist Of five persons.
Length Of term; one to serve for one year,
one to serve for two years, one to serve
Tor three years, one to serve for -FOUR years
and one to serve for five years. and there
after one member Of said board shall bt
appointed annually to serve for five years
Section l. Provides 9TH,
said board shall have power, and II
shall be their duty, to mak'
and enforce all needtul rules and regula-
tions to prevent the Introduction ant
spread of infectious or contagious diseases
by the regulation of intercourse with IN
fected places by the arrest, separation ant
treatment Of infected persons who shal
have been exposed to any infectious o
contagious disease and by abatng and re
moving all nuisauces which they shal
deem prejudicial 10 the public health.
1t shall be the duty of all physician
practicing within the borough to report t.
me secretary of said board Of health tn
uames and residences of all persons comlni
under their professional care, afflicted wit
such contagious or infected disease, in tn
manner directed by the said board" Sec
ton provides for the abatement OF an.
nuisance suspected to be OF an infectious o
contagious disease or nuisance detrimental
10 the public health and the cost and eX
penses thereof shall be- recoverable frOr
the owner or from any person or person
causing or maintaining the same, in tn
same manner as debts of like amount ar
now by law collected. Section six provide
for the creation and maintenace of an az
curate system Of the registration OF a
marriages, births and deaths which ma
occuf within the borough, and to compC
obedience to the same upon the foot OF Il
physicians or other medical prac titioner:
ClerCymen, magistrates, undertaRer5 sel
tons and from all other persons frol
whom information for such purposes ma
properly be required. Section seven pr
vides for the submission Of an estimate
probable receipts and expenditure
of the board during the ensuin
year to the council who sha
then proceed to make such appropr
alton in the month of January OF eaC
year. The board shall submit an annu
-, tn tbA ppnOpil Of /
operations, etc. . 1t shall also
their duty to communicate with the sta
board at least annually notice of its orga
ization and membership and all repor
concerning sanitary information as mi
from time to time required by said sta
board.
AS may be seen from the above act
lacks but few weeks OF being eigl
months since the above law went In
effect and Notwithstanding it cal
upon the president of every council
burgess to comply with it within s
months, Mr.. Hart has not up to t.
present time seen fit to exercise Il
duty vested in him. Why this is
the writer is unable to say unle
thoughtlessly he has allowed it TO {
cape his attention. However, there
vet ample time. That this town
sadly in need of n board of health
and has been apparent to everybo(
for years. Families who have bee
visited with contagious diseases appe
to care little as regards the cons
uuences that naturally arise as a l
suit of their indiscretion, Were tn
uuarantined as they should be, lnu
suffering and deprivation might
avoided.
If the council had made the appoir
ment as they should within the p
scribed time the dead infant found
few weeks ago in all its ghas tilin'
would not have been allowed to
main after discovery an hour, mu
less a day, for the hordes OF you
children to feast their eyes upon Gc
tlemen of the borough council. the
terests of this community demand Il
you should perform your duty fe
iessly and impartially. See that
do it without delay.