The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-21
NO MERCHANTS MEETING HELD
But THE SENTIMENT Is STRONG
ron GUARANTEEING ATLANTA.

HUnUEcO lSAutu INV
ONCE Every Day-The sanitary
Board Investigating All RumOrs
OF Laxity in Quarnntine-New Or
leans Mail Fumigated With For
maIdehyde Gas-Dr. LeHardy
Wanted His Duties Defined.
Atlanta has not been quarantined as yet
and the Indications are that she win not
be unless something further develops, in
spite Of the fact that there is very gener-
al demand for such action.
There was some talk of calling meeting
Of citizens to take steps in the matter, but
nothing was done. There were also ru-
mors that Charleston had quarantined
against Savannah, but the report was not
verified.
There was some discussion at the meet
ing of the sanitary board yesterday OF the
demand for a quarantine against Atlanta,
but no disposition was shown to accede
to the demand The board is kept fully
posted as to the health conditions in At
lanta and will be promptly notified of the
occurrence Of suspicious cases there if any
should occur.
An important matter, that Of the fumi-
cation of the United States mails, occupied
a considerable portion of the time of the
board yesterday. Reports were received
from numerous sources that mail was
reaching here from New Orleans, which
was to all appearances unfumigated. Post
master Haines had also received numerous
complaints to this effect. He appeared be-
fore the sanitary board yesterday and stat
u, taI9oyr4pbq6 SlnqTiptaD0
ent Terrell Of this division of the railway
mail service stating that mail from New
orleans for this point appeared to be UNI
fumigated, and requesting positive infor-
nation on the subject.
Later in the day Mr. Haines received the
following telegram which he communicat-
ed to Mayor Meldrim:
ATLANTA. Ga, Sept. 20, 1S97--Postmaste
Savannah. Ga: New Orleans mall Is
fumigated by formaldehyde gas process,
which does not require p2rforation. Ihe
fumigation is done under supervision OF
marine hospital service. Terrell
This relieves all apprehension On this
score The sanitary board spent some
time as usual ia investigating reports as
10 the lax!ty of the quarantine inspectors.
Mayor Aieldrim makes it e point TO run
down every report of this kind brought to
the attention of the board, with the uSud!
result of finding that the report Is I'M
founded. Persons who were kindly allow
ed 10 sleep in their berths bX the Sore
thought of the conductor who took their
certificates for them ana presented them
10 the inspector, have been so unklnd as
TO come into the city and proclaim tnHt
they did not even see ar inspector. heSe
people have put iuturc travellers TO great
Inconvenience, as the inspectors have been
instructed to wake all travellers in their
berths when necessary and to require cach
passenger to present hls own cert bcale.
One case was found yesterday Of ran
road man who mad been PASSED in with
out a certificate, on tre statement of the
conductor 10 the inspector that the oiHcsal
had only left Savannah the previous Gay.
The Inspector was reprhnanded and m
structed not 10 allow anything OF the Lih1
10 happen again.
Business men and others who called at
the health office yesterday for the purpose
of securing certificates for members of
their families who have been spending the
summer at the mountain resorts, were in
formed that no more such certificates
would be issued and that all persons
bound to Savannah must secure certif-
Gates at the places where they had resid-
ed recently A business man, in comment
ing upon this, said that the word of
responsible man residing here, as to the
whereabouts of his family ought to be
better guarantee than that of any physi-
clan or petty official elsewhere who chose
to take it upon himself to issue certifi-
Gates for stated fee and probably never
took the trouble nor cared whether the
persons applying for the certificate had
recently arrived from an infected locality
or not.
The number OF certificates issued at the
health office yesterday was as great as
ever From 500 to 700 certificates have
been issued daily since the quarantine was
declared and there was no dimuniuon in
the demand yesterday. This gives some
idea of the daily flow of travel into and
out of the city. Many of these appli-
cants for certificates are travelling men
and other transient visitors The certid-
Gates given non-resldent5 simply state
that the party named in the certificate
leaves Savannah on a certain date Ger
Jficates given to residents state the facts
of residence. Certificates issued by the
health authorities of Charleston and Au-
gusta, several of which were vised at
the health Office yesterday, give descrip-
lions of the parties to whom issued. in
Guiding age, hight, weight, coor of hair
and eyes, etc. This effectualy prevents
transfer of certificates.
Health officer LeHardy addressed let
ter TO the mayor yesterday, requesting
that his duties and responsibilities with
regard to the quarantine be defined. The
inspectors have been reporting to the
mayor ana up 10 Itl0 tune tnS letter was
written the health officer had not been
informed of the names of the men ap-
pointed to do quarantine duty.
Both Mayor Meldrim and Dr. LeHardy,
when spoken to about the letter, said that
it was not a matter of public interest. DR..
LeHardy, said, however, that he had re-
ceived letter from the mayor inclosing
a list of the inspectors.
THE mayor, the health officer and the
sanitary board are all working harmoni-
ously together for the protection of the
health of the city" said DR.. LeHardy
MANY people regard the health officer as
solely responsible for the conduct and
management of the quarantine. l only
wish to know how far my responsibilities
extend. If any mistakes should be made
the people will naturally lay the blame up
on the health officer, and l do not care
TO be blamed for anything for which l am
not responsible"
A TRAIN GUARANTEED.