The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-19


one, seated comfortably in his office, and
contemplating these through the smoke OF
an after-dinner cigar, may regard them
not only as desirable and necessary but
also as perfectly practicable. But the man
or affairs accustomed to view all questions
that present themselves for solution from
all necessary standpoints, and to estimate
forces OF opposition, will think otherwise.
PerhapS he is no SentimentaliSt, yet ne
takes cognizance of a sentiment that he
knows is widespread and capable OF show
ing great strength should occasion call 1t
forth. That sentiment is likely, under due
pfoVocat1on, to speak in this wise upon the
subject of the prohibition of public fu-
nerals: Who that has lost by death some
very near and dear friend, and has beheld
the tear-Wet eye, and felt the warm hand
grasp of sympathy, as the friends gatner
around the open grave, so soon to hide
forever the form of the beloved one-l say,
who has received these tokens, ana mas
been in some measure comforted thereby
will submit to see others deprived of the
presence and sympathy of friends at that
trying moment? Who that but a moment
ago. was visited by that unbidden mes
senger Of woe that must cross the
threshold of every mans dwelling at least
once who now sits in silence and drowned
in tears, longing unutterably for the true
word of consolation that some friend might
bring, but will eXecrate in his heart that
law that forbidS him the society of Sor-
rowing friends in this his darkest hour"
But says the idealist. this is mere SEN
timentaism and it must give way to the
question of the public good. Yes my
friend, but it is rock-ribbed, founded upon
granite and presents such front TO as
saults such as you propose, that your
frail craft is likely to dash itself in pieces
upon it, and should you be so unWlse as
to repeat your attempt your whole system
of laws and your office may also De
wrecked.
LAWS AND SENTIMENT.
what sentiment will array itself against
laws prohibiting the splitting nuisance?
Why, they will be attacked, first, on the
ground that they are unnecessary. Owners
of public conveyences, buildings, ETC., are
already protecting their property from the
damage and filthiness arising from that
cause, and when the public is thoroughly
informed of the dangers of diseased sputa,
the cooperation in that work will be so
thorough that neither state nor municipal
government will have to spend a cent in
this behalf. If splitting on the street be SO
serious a matter as some San1tarlanS Would
have us believe why not adopt the more
effectual plan of having placed upon every
street corner of the populous parts OF cities
and towns a vessel containing some germ
destroying solution, and painted upon the
same the invitation Spit here, and below
this in smaller text the reason Tor such
provision--thuS mere pot might be turned
into a public educator, and people be led
to acquiesce in a measure for self-protec-
ton to which they could not be driven.
There are many sanitarians, however, who
are convinced that nature has made ample
provision against dangers arising from this
cause in the germicidal action of certain
salts contained in the dust of the streets,
which are in sufficient quantity to render
innocuous all the sputa elected from all the
mouths of all the diseased persons who
walk the streets.
But suppose prohibitory laws were en-
acted, Notwithstanding the considerations
consumptive is bounced upon by vigilant
Catchpole, who hauls him away to the
stern bar of justice, followed by the usual
crowd, divided in its opinion as to the ma
which the arrest
been made. Suppose that, brought into the
immediate presence of the laws majesty,
to the charge of 'willfully and knowingly,
with malice prepense, splitting upon the
street, and there stands up. a poor. waver-
ing figure, whose eyes have that prefer
natural brilliancy, and whose cheeks have
that bloom upon them that speaks so I'M
mistakenly to the practiced eye of the ma
whose brow is wet with the sweat of weak
ness and poisoning pus, and who cannot,
though he try ever so hard restrain the
cough that interrupts the pronounced SEN
tence of the laW-suppose all this, can my
idealist friend conceive of the indignation
that would swell in the breasts of the on
lockers at this prostitution of the powers
of the law, and the execratfon that would
flow out upon the streets and gradually
possess all classes and conditions of peo-
pie? 'Sentimentalism again Yes, my
myopic friend, but rooted deeper than any
oak in any forest. The unfortunate will
always be pitied-the more unfortunate the
HOW PEOPLE VIEW IT.
There are those who will think that to
be hopeessly diseased and so miserably
suffering are enough for one human being
to endure-no need for the law to add a
sort of needless persecution to the afflic-
lions which are already greater than can
be borne. 1t is in vain that the health au-
thOrities may tell the people that this mans
spittle endangers their lives and those of
their families. These will reply, being ac-
tuated by unscentitc common sense, what
great danger there be in so little sub
jected to the same agencies that must de-
Stroy germ life as we'll as insect Hfe-We
will take the risk, take your hands off him,
he has enough, poor fellow If necessary
they will take risks in this behalf, even
if they appear to them much more immi-
nent than they do. There is a natural hero
ism in the human race, that when aroused
will go to- any lengths. Not long since L
ing to discover if there were yet a spark
of life in him and kindle it if there were
While thus engaged heard the sad story
OF his accident. He had been overcome by
the damp at the bottom of a well. His
felloW-Workman saw him lying there and
quickly realized what had happened, had
himself lowered to the bottom of the we'll
and though fast succumbing to the deadly
damp himself, yet tied the rope around his
only strength enough left to tie the rope
about his own body, and was taken out
unconscious and almost dying. The rescuer
seemed not to know that he had done a
heroic act, that he had done more than his
simple duty and there were many in the
crowd about the well who, fully knowing
and approaching the danger would have
done the same thing Now, this sort of a
sentiment will not suffer a man to be sin
gled out for species of persecution be-
cause he has been so unfortunate as to be-
come the victim of tubercular consumption.
1t will not allow him to be deprived of the
society of his friends, nor will it suffer
health boards to lay him under such an
embargo as to make it difficult for him
to procure shelter or the necessary attend
ance and such boards must become aware
and kindred ones are, and how fatal to
their existence it is likely to prove should
they choose to antagonize them.
What, then, shall consumption be al
lowed to multiply itself indefinitely? BY
no means Restrictive and oppressive laws
are not the only means of prevention and
people will be led who will not allow them
selves to be driven. But, you reply, they
do allow themselves to be driven into quar-
antine by smallpox, scarletina, diphtheria
etc | answer that, even here, they submit
because they are thoroughly convinced of
the cOntagiOuSneSS of theSe-haVe been so
educated by their frequent repetition, they
know that these are highly contagious and
contact with immunity is the exception,
of restriction is likely to be relatively very
long, immunity almost the rule, the only
danger arising from the sputa, which can
be easily disposed of. In conclusion, |
would urge that the people be thoroughly
educated in matters of public sanitation
particularly as to the dangers arising from
morbid products of all kinds that persuas-
sion be resorted to much oftener and legal
restriction much less frequently than they
are at the present time, even Let the
health boards rest assured that there is
now enough of law upon our statute books
to meet every possible emergency and
.sl,,1 lanly h0 and