The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-05


Council convened pursuant to call of
the mayor Present-Councilmen Brad
ford, Burgess, Drew, Pattison. Roundtree,
Stevens, Stephenson and Skinner-S-
Absent Elliott and Fulton-2. Mayor
Z. E. Fellows, presiding.
The city clerk read the call:
OFFICE OF MAYOR,
TOPEKA, KAs.,
October 4 1895.
To the Members of the City Council. Topeka:
A special meeting of the council of the
city of Topeka is hereby called to meet
this evening at o'clock for the purpose
viz: To consider reports of city officers.
To consider resolutions
Attest: c. A. FELLOWS
g. 8. McFADDEN, Mayor.
sEALl City Clerk.
Mayor Fellows presented the follow
lug communication, which was read,
and on motion of Stevens it was placed
on file:
TOPEKA, KANSAS, Oct. 4, 1895.
Gentlemen of the Council, Several
months ago the city physician recon-
mended the discharge of two sanitary
policemen. for the reason that there was
very little work in that department at
the time, and also recommended that an
additional street force be employed for
TIC 6A PRESS DQEp 0S0 VI Clodn1uz Op AAC
alleys, draining all stagnant pools, clean
ing the sewers and doing such other
work as might be deemed necessary to
improve the sanitary condition of the
city. The council adopted the recon-
mendation of the city physician, and l
as mayor have earnestly endeavored
to carry out your wishes. l am
glad 10 report that the sanitary
condition of the city is in first
class condition. Everything possible has
been done to remove the causes that as
sist in the spread of the contagious dis
eases, l have been in frequent consul
tation with our board OF health, with
many of the leading physicians of the
citysthe honorable school board and
great many citizens, and in order to carry
out valuable suggestions offered, deem
ed il necessary to do certain things as an
emergency that now ask the council to
approve.
I found it necessary to appoint sew
eral extra men on the sanitary force. l
authorized the street commissioner 10
employ men to thoroughly inspect and
cleanse the sewers, to flush the water
pipes throughout the city, and to sweep
the pavements more frequently than
usual. l also requested the members of
the board of health 10 respond to all
calls made by our city physician, and
W InOIOu& MY are 0jOu Au6iL
own responsibility, any cases that might
be reported to them by others, as TO
whether they were conta gious or not. l
also requested that a number of connec-
tions be made with the sewers, most of
which requests were promptly complied
with, but d few refusd, and in this con-
nec;ion l would urge that the council
pass a resolution giving power to the
mayor to make sewer connections when
| a. II l.
of such improvement a charge against
the property.
The mayor and council have been
criticised by a few for not ordering the
public schools closed; but as you gentle
men are we'll aware the schools are un-
der the exclusive care and control of
an able and competent board OF educa-
ton elected by the people, aud we have
right to regard all such criticisms rs
unjust and unwarraated.
u very much regret that so many SEN
sational stories have been published
about the extent of diphtheria in our
population of $4,000 or one to every
1900 people. The impression has gone
out over the state that the city is vast
hospital. l have received number OF
! letters from physicians, nurses and others
Offering to come to Topeka, or to render
assistance. At this time of year many
people COmc 10 1Opekd from large eA-
tent OF territory to purchase goods of va
rious descriptions. but l have been in
formed by many OF our leading
business men men that that class
of trade is extremely light at
the present time, and they say they
have positive information that many of
their leading customers are afraid to
come to Topeka on account of the Alieg-
ed prevalence OF contagious diseases. I
the people outside of our city be truth
fully advised of the condition of affairs,
so that untruthful ard exaggerated re-
ports will have no effect.
II ask your advice and assistance at
the present time, and will carry out any
! suggestions the council my present
Respectfully submitted,
c. A. FELLOWS, Mayor"
Councilman Bradford offered the fol-
lowing resolution which was passed I'M
auimously:
Whereas. The Topeka Journal has
! made charges against the city officers
| of this city, which, if true, ought to be
/ the cause of their dismissal from the
| service, and it has been said that the
dread disease diphtheria has become
! epidemic in our city to an alarming eX.
tent and that the people are exasperated
! at the non action of the proper authori-
! ties over the matter.
"And, Whereas, the said Topeka State
Journal is the official city paper of the
City of Topeka, and great weight is
| given to its statements on the subject in
consequence thereof, by newspapers out
! side the city and state.
And Whereas If said accusations
made against the said city officers are
untrue and other statements of said pa
! per concerning the conditions and pre-
valeuce of such disease are untrue,
there is no punishment too severe that
can legally be inflicted on said paper.
! Now, therefore, be it.
Resolved. That the mayor appoint
committee of five consisting of one coun-
! Gilman from each ward of the city and
that said committee be and thew are
| instructed to make diligent investigation
! and inquiry of all the facts and the cen.