Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-07-30
Sanitary Regulations Insisted Upon.

Judge Yancy Lewis of the mid
die district, has addressed the
following letter to the United
States commissioner at South Nc
Alester in reference TO sanitary
regulations. AS the same condi-
tions exist here, the people of this
town are beginning to ask them
selves if they have not the same
remedy. Though we have corpor-
ate officers here, the sanitary con-
ditions are deplorable, and if the
streets and alleys are not cleaned
up we may reasonably expect a
scourge of typhoid fever or some
thing worse:
SOUTH MCALEsTER, July 10.
J. G. Harley, Esq, United States
Commissioner, South McAlester.
Dear Sir:-I beg to call your at
tention to the fact that the present
condition of the town of South
McA!ester makes it plain that
many persons therein are guilty OF
the offense of creating and main-
tanning public nuisances. and are
punishable therefore under the
law. These otfenses have been
committed so continuously and so
extensively that the health of the
community has been affected and
is further seriously endangered.
The law has as much concern for
the preservation of public health
as for the protection of property.
The individual who, by the un-
wholesome condition OF his prem
ises, or otherwise, brings sickness
upon his neighbors, should be
placed in the same category with,
and be as vigorously prosecuted
by the officers of the law, as the
man who steals or destroys his
neighbours property. The obstruc-
ton of the streets by mounds of
earth, the creation of stagnant
ponds of water in the streets or
about the premises of individuals,
the permitting of premises or out
houses to become unclean or often
sive. all come within the defni-
ton of public nuisance, the pros
ecution for which must be had un-
der the common law and the pun
ishment whereof is fixed by Sec.
1928, of Mansfield's Digest, pro-
viding, Every person who shall
be convicted of any misdemeanor,
the punishment for which is not
defined in this or any other statute,
shall be punished by imprison-
ment not exceeding one year or by
fine not exceeding two hundred
and fifty dollars, or by fine and
Imprisonment BOTH"
The absence of corporate officers
and regulations entails upon the
officers Of the law in this jurisdic-
ton, the duty of added and extra
ordinary watchfulness and care in
the enforcement of wholesome san
itary regulations.
| shall expect your constable,
without respect to person, to in
form himself of the existence of
public nuisances, and to file COM
plant against those who have cre-
ated or maintained them, which
complaints you should entertain
without requirement of a bond for
costs.
| would further suggest that
should you be satisfied, upon the
information of any creditable per-
son, of the existence of a nuisance,
wherein such person may be un-
to make a complaint, that
you have the constable make such |
l expect that you and |
he, cooperating together, and sus-
tanned, | hope, by all good citizens
who have the interest of the COM
at heart, will use your ut
most endeavor to bring to punish
ment all those whose conduct in
the particulars indicated is not on
ly a violation of the law, but a |
menace to the lives of others.
Respectfully,
YANCEY LEWIS, Judge.