The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-18
0LNEYVILLE.
The Health Of the Community
Receiving Attention.
Tns Nnws BUHBAu, oLskYvILLR,
No Hartford Avenue.

l
| No. Hartford Avenue
At the financial town meeting in john
| ston last month, when the pruning knife
of economy was applied 10 appropria-
| tions and salaries, in some instances WIN
rigor that did not bespeak deliberate
! consideration for the best interest OF the
community. 1t was voted that tine
health officer shall serve without pay.
| The statutes provide that the Town Coun-
ell shall elect health officer; but 1t does
not say, nor is it anticipated, that pubic
service shall DC performed without re-
! muneration.
Yet the taxpayers have so willed 1t and
as they are the power back OF all oih-
cials it is questionable whether the Coun-
ell can expend any money for salary OF a
health officer this year.
! The question OF finances as well as the
| sanitary condition Of the town prompted
DIR. Heaton, a public spirited resident,
and practicing physician interested III
the affairs OF the town, TO forward letter
on the subject TO the Council. While ac-
! tion taken at that time was not on
the line as suggested by the doctor, it is
| presumed that the Council committee on
| health to which his letter was referred,
will give it that attention which the
| practieability OF its suggestions seem 10
! warrant and urge the adoption by the
| Council OF the ideas therein contained.
| The communication now in the hands
| of the Council committee on health,
Messrs. Remington, Luther and Harlow,
is as follows:
The undersigned respectfully present for
your consideration the following suggestions
| on the subject of the town health depart
ment
The town, and more especially the districts
| In and around Olneyville, has greatly changed
| q oh 80 ~ tar Ia ia "a
| city In fact. If not in name. This being 90, II
! follows that the manner of regulating mat
ters concerning the public health should DO
| different from the system employed when the
| town was sparsely populated.
The old plan OF a health officer, appointed
| for political or other reasons without any
special qualifications or knowledge of the
| conditions 10 BE- remedied or prevented, is evil
| IDENTIFY unsatisfactory.
First. for the Council itself TO attend 10 the
matter in detail consumes large amount OF
| time, and the same objection which applies
against the ordinary health officer applies
also against the Council, namely the lack OF
sufficient knowledge of the subject.
omany aud important changes have in late
| years been made In this department Of public
welfare, that certain amount of special
knowledge II absolutely necessary for the
proper appreciation and treatment OF the
| questions involved In the isolation and disin-
fection or the contagious diseases the disposal
of offal and sewage; the construction and
plumbing of buildings; the adulteration of
foods; and the numerous other subjects which
i, therefore respectfully request that your
honorable body appoint a board OF public
health, to have control OF the public health Of
the town, according 10 the statutes and or
dinances OF the town ard state.
Said board To consist OF three physicians,
the town solicitor as legal adviser, and the
town sergeant as eXecur1ve Offfcer. The satt
board To render their services gratuitously as
regards the physicians and part of their
duties in the case of the officials.
The above, or some similar measure, could
not fail TO greatly increase the value of this
department TO the people. for the preserva-
tion of the public health Is one of the most
important duties devolved upon all govern
- HESRY ". HEAroS,
Johnston, r, l., June IA. 1896.
PROBATE COURT.
In the Johnston Probate Court at Q
O'Clock this morning before Judge Will
liam +. King, William and Alpha Tur-
ney were appointed administrators of the
estate of Nancy A. Bennett.
The inventory of Sylvania c. Thornton
was allowed and ordered recorded. Also
the inventory of Frank T. and Lillian
Smith.
EIGHTH DISTRICT COURT.
In the eighth district court this morn
ing Michael Coleman, charged with as
sault with dangerous weapon, pleaded
not guilty and trial set down for next
Monday. Michael, 1t is claimed, threat
ened to use an axe on the head OF his wife
Kate.
Maggie Clifford, adjudged of being
lewd and wanton, was sentenced to six
months at the State Workhouse
ITEMS ABOUT TOWN.
The Epworth League of the Chestnut
Street NJ Il. Church have invited the
league connected with the Tabernacle
here to be present at the installation of
officers next Friday evening.
Glass of the Broadway Baptist Sun
day Scoohl held lawn party on the
grounds of Mrs. b. Frank Hopkins, Bar
rows street, Wednesday evening.
Mike Berry has been reinstated mana
ger of the Johnston swill team. The aver
age housekeeper speaks word OF praise
for Michael's proficiency in this line of
work.
The trustees of the Library Association
are to meet Friday evening OF this week
to take action regarding the impression
that has gone forth that the town appro-
priation has been used for other purposes
than were intended 1t is proposed to
issue statement regarding the associa-
tion that will fully explain matters.
On authority ii was stated today that
the tax of last year Is unpaid and was not
deducted from the towns appropriation
of $500, which was paid in full to the asr
sociation. The Rev. A. l.. Gerrish, for
merly pastor of the Plaintield Street Bap-
tist Church, but now located in New
Hampshire, is spending few days in
Olneyville.
Constable w. A. Carroll visited Pascoag
this morning on official duties.
The lodge of the Royal Arcanum will
meet this evening in the Library Build
ing.