The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-10


report was adopted.
The committee on ways and means
reported back the bond of o. Swanson of
$f5 750 and recommended that it be ap-
proved On motion the report was
adopted. On roll call the bond was then
approved by the unanimous vote of the
council.
The committee on paving to whom
the petition of A. B. WoolYerton and
others for the paving of Eleventh street
from Van Buren, street to Harrison street
reported the same back, recommending
that the prayer of the petitioners be
granted. On motion, the report was
adopted. The same committee reported
back the petition of Joab Mulvane and
others for the paving of Twelfth street
between Topeka avenue and Tyler
street, with the recommendation that the
prayer of the petitioners be granted. On
motion, the report was adopted.
On the matter of erecting a drinking
fountain Mr.. Fulton introduced the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Your committee on streets and walks
beg leave to report, in reference to reso-
luton of Mir. Stevens, concerning "Drlnk-
ing fountain" at Transfer station (cor-
ner Kansas avenue and 9Th streets) the
Following substituted.
Resolved, by the mayor and council,
that the city engineer and street COM
missioner are hereby instructed to either
remove the drinking fountain" near
corner of Kansas avenue and Fourth
street lin front of old court house, to a
point near Transfer station" heretofore
mentioned, or to have placed near the
north door of the east room, and in
side said Transfer station at cor
ner of Eighth and Kansas avenue, a
drinking fountain, with one pantry cock)
similar to one in city library nall, and
that the waste water be turned into the
gutter That the work be done under
the supervision of the city engineer. For
the benefit of the public, for drinking
purposes.
On motion the above resolution was
adopted.
The special committee appointed to
investigate. made the following report:
TOPEKA, KANSAS, Oct 7, 1895.
Mr.. Mayor:
Your committee appointed to investi-
gate the charges made by the Topeka
STATE JOURNAL against the city physi-
clan and other city officers, as well as the
conduct of the official city paper, have
had the resolution and subject matter
under consideration and make the follow
ing report:
The committee secured the patrol
wagon, and aided by the sanitary ser
! geant and accompanied by JOURNAL
reporter started at a. m. Saturday. and
made thorough examination, going
| from house to house until we had visited
every house under quarantine and
some where the quarantine had
been raised. We will not under
take to make minute detailed
report giving questions and answers but
will say that every person examined was
informed in advance of the purpose of
the investigation.
They were asked when the patient
took sick, whether they were attending
school at the time of taking sick, how
soon physician was called, the name
of the physician and how soon after the
disease was pronounced diphtheria was
the place Quarantined and whether any
person or persons had been going in and
out since quarantine was established?
In every instance we found the patients
convalescing, none were reported in a
dangerous condition and several had
not missed meal since taken with the
disease. Several, of course, declared
they did not have diphtheria and very
much desired to be released from quar-
antine.
In every instance we found that the
quarantine had been obeyed and that
in no case had member of the family
gone to school, as ported by the JOUR
NAL after quarantine had been declared.
The city physician must of necessity
depend upon reports from the physicians
! in charge or by some other person before
he can act He cannot inspect every sore
throat or diagnose every complaint in a
city of this szs
We found that within a very short time
after the report reached the city physi-
clan or his board of health quarantine
was declared and rigidly maintained.
There was not a complaint anywhere OF
a lack of attention and promptness on
the part of the board of health or sani-
tary force, but all agreed that it had been
prompt and efficient.
We find that a large majority of the
patients have not been to school this
year; an argument to US that the schools
have not spread the disease.
Adult people, both men and women,
are among the quarantined patients
|. There were on Friday twenty-five cases
in the city. and no new cases have been
reported from that time to IL o'clock
noon. this date (Monday) and two quar-
antines have been lifted.
We commend the principals, teach
ers, and school board for the splendid
system of inspection and care used by
them in guarding against the disease il
the schools of the city.
We congratulate the people OF the city
that while this dread disease is epidemic
all over the country, that it has only adj
vanced little beyond normal here.
In 1898 in the mouth of October, there
were sixteen cases of scarlet fever enc
thirty cases of dipbrheria. The schools
were not closed o. additional guards EN-
ployed to maintain quarantine or scar,
attempted.
This year guards have been employed
and everything that could be done has
been done to stamp out the disease. TIL,
city physician and his fellow members
of the board of health. have been indus
trious and efficient
Now as to the charges and conduct o
the official city paper.
The mayor and board of health can ad
wise and consult with the board of edu
cation who alone controls the schools