The record-union., 1894-03-07

the assistance of steward, or student
OF medicine, or of another physician. For
the good of the city he must have such
help. Whoever undertakes to do alone
ali the law and his oath requires of him
in this respect is going to let some irons
burn. He cannot help 1t, but if the Trus-
tees force it the city is going to save the
magnificent sum of $500 year by cutting
his salary down to 81, 200.
1t is hinted, nay it is openly said, that
the reason for the proposed cut is that
whoever is chosen is going to pay some
young physician half the salary to do the
work, therefore the city had just as well
save that half. But the sensible reply is,
What of it? Is it not right? If the
Health officer is competent, active, Wig
orous, conscientious man, should he not
do just that thing? 1t is precisely what
he ought to do; nay. just what he should
be required to do, namely, appoint a
competent deputy to divide the labor
that it may be decently done, as Section
ia contemplates.
There is saving at the spiggot and
front door fastening while leaving the
back door open; retrenchment in cheap
ening wages, and dead loss in the kind OF
service secured thereby.
1t cannot be that the Trustees would
seek to prevent the Health officer nam
ing deputy; it is impossible to conceive
of their wishing to cripple an important
arm of the public service. 1t must,
therefore, be that they have not seriously
contemplated the duties devolving upon
the Health Officer; they have not suffi-
ciently weighed the importance Of the
Office and its responsibilities, and how
closely its proper administration lies to
municipal prosperity and the public
health.
We assume that the Trustees want to
do right; let them, therefore, turn a deaf
ear to all chatter about certain men being
willing TO do all the work for 500 a
month. We tell them plainly, from long
years of observation and from close in
quiry, that no Health Officer can prop
erly do what the new charter requires OF
all hat hi
There is limit to human capacity. and
it is speedily found in case OF this kind.
Let the salary remain, gentlemen,
where the charter makers placed it. Put
your Health officer into a position that
will enable him to give us the best he has
in the shop, because Of his financial abil-
ity to employ assistance. Let US not put
in peril single human life, run the risks
of epidemic, suffer the reproach of neg
lected sanitary conditions or have many
duties half done and cheaply to save the
sum of $500.
Let us say that the educated physician,
the competent practitioner, the man iii
for the place, is worth as much to the
city at least as the Justices of the Peace,
who with but a single duty to perform,
and that one of ease aud leisure, receive
5000 year and office rent besides, and
need no assistance whatever.
1t is said upon the street that plenty OF
men can be had to take the Office for SlC0
because of it's advertising value" to
them. Wewill not insult the intelligence
and manliness of any Trustee by assum-
ing that any one of them will receive
such an argument without indignant re-
pudiation. If city offices involving scien-
tific knowledge, experience and very
broad capacity are to be farmed out TO
the lowest bidders, then give notice and
let the lowest bidder have them; we will
find men in plenty who will take such
offices at half $I00. But let the people
be not deceived, in every such case the
city will pay dearly for its whistle.