The record-union., 1895-09-23
NOT AN HOUR TO LOSE.

NOT AN HOUR TO LOSE.
Oakland as we'll as San Francisco and
Alameda has not only ordered house to
house inspection, but has appointed ad-
ditional inspectors and they are already
at work. More than this, men have been
selected who are intelligent and have
comprehension enough to understand the
specific instructions given them by the
Board of Health. For it Is not merely
the finding of matter that emits foul
odors, but the searching out Of places
where the cholera and fever germs find
invitation for breeding, and such places
may be entirely inofensive to the nos
trils.
Sacramento ought to have been first to
order these inspections, but it looks as if
she would be last. The unfortunate dis
agreement between the Board Of Trus-
tees and the Board of Health bids fair to
make the people suffer. Ii this condi-
tiop of affairs there is nothing for it but
do not the Board of Health being unable
TO pay it's inspectors will be pOwerless to
protect the city by enforcement of the
sanitary regulations. If the Trustees hold
to their view that the Plum bing Inspec-
tor can do the work, or that the choice Of
the Board of Health for Sanitary In
speotor must be subject to their taste as
to what individual shall fill the position,
the people will have to act independently
of these two bodies, and by raising
money and organizing citizens protec-
tive associations, do the best they can to
prepare for the possible assault of the
cholera. In that case there will be poor
protection afforded, and we can expect
the worst to happen. 1t is a shameful
situation and one that is intolerable. In
the name of the citizens of Sacramento
we call upon the Trustees not only to
yield but to authorize the city Board Of
Health to employ dozen inspectors if
need be, and to exercise all powers need
full.
In this matter no formal questions, no
lack of money, no doubt about suffi-
cienoy of funds must stand in the way.
The city credit cannot be better preserved
than by reducing the danger from chol
era to the minimum Of risk. If it ia not
done the cost to the city may, probably
will, be a hundredfold greater than the
COST of prevention.
The fact that there have been three
deaths from cholera on ship arrived at
San Francisco; that case has reached
Port Townsend; that hundred Chinese
coolies coming out of an infected port and
ship are now scattered throughout the in
terror; that few days of hot weather
may develop the germs Of the plague
into active agents of destruction; that in
stance after instance can be cited Of chol-
era germs having lived for months. and
after being transported thousands of
miles before DEVELOPMENT; that even
prave-earth of victims has been known
TO breed the pestilences year alter burial;
that infected clothing has spread the dis
ease months after all suspicion of danger
had been allayed-these facts ought to
warn the City Trustees TO act tonight
solely for the public good, and wholly
irrespective of their quarrel with the
Board Of Health.
If that board does not do so. if there is
any more parleying and hair-splitting,
the people must rise with indignant pro-
testation and take charge of the SANTA
ton of the city as best they can, for the
cleansing must not be delayed another
day. Too much time has been wasted
already. In case official red tape ties up
this matter tonight, the people viii
know where to place the responsibility
and should fix it individually.