The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-30
DR.. LIE HARDY'S TART TALK.
CLAIMS HE TRIED TO PRESENT
HIS VIEWS TO COUNCIL.

Against the Health Officer, Accord
ing to RumOred Suggestions ut
the Recent Meeting of Council.
The discussion in the City Councils last
caucus of the possible impeachment of
Health Officer LeHardy for publicly ex-
pressing himself against locating the sew
age outlets on the river front, has ELECTED
statement from him which warns up
the situation considerably. He charges
that he was forced to publish the card de-
filming his position. because unable to get
an audience before Council.
There was some correspondence be-
tween DR.. LeHardy and Alderman w. w.
Owens, chairman of the drainage commit
tee, before the card was published which
caused Council to discuss the matter with
view to asking that DIR. LeHardy de-
sist from further criticisms of the house
drainage plans. While DR.. LeHardy de-
clines to give out this correspondence for
publication, 1t is understood he asked for
| a hearing, made certain charges about
| the inefficient house drainage work he
| claims has been done, and advised that
the location of the outlets be reconsider
ed. 1t is understood he did not receive
any reply to this letter, though 1t was
sent by a special messenger, he states, In
order to insure its delivery.
| 1t appears DIR. Owens received the
letter, but was Unexpectedly called from
| the city at that time, and was unable to
| give it attention until he returned. In the
meantime DR.. LeHardy wrote another let
| ter, insisting upon a reply, and stating
| that unless he got 1t, he would be COM
PEELED to make public his position in re-
ga cara tbi to the l. sewage stated Ou'le As.
derman Owens replied, explained the rea-
son for his delay in answering the pre-
vious letter, and also gave the status of
the house drainage plans. He is reported
to have said that all matters pertaining
| to the system had been thoroughly con-
sidered and approved by Council, that 1t
was too late to again open the way for
objections, and especially such as had al
| ready been considered by Council. 1t is
said the letter urged that Council had ev-
cry reason to believe the work could be
successfully and satisfactorily done under
| the present plans, and insisted that OBJ
jections the board had already decided
were not we'll taken, should not be urged
again.
Having given the matter much thought,
! however, DIR. LeHardy felt convinced the
sewage should be discharged in the Bilbo
man Owens had declined to take any ac-
ton looking to a change in the plans, he
published the card, which caused the talk
| of his impeachment. 1t was asserted he
| should have urged his objections to Coun
| ellis actions in private, and not through
the press. For this reason 1t is said his
action was considered insubordnate by
some of the aldermen, who believed the
proper course was to request him TO re-
frain from further urging his objections
The result is that the aldermen have di-
vided on the question, some being of opin-
Ion DR.. IeHardy has the right to officially
express himself, even though 1t be against
Council while others maintain 1t is intol-
cradle insubordination.
Being known for characteristic vigor IN
holding UP his side of an argument, DR..
LeHardy was not reticent when seen yes
terday by a representative of the Morn
ing News with reference to the turn things
have taken.
81 was surprised" he said "at the stir
my article created in Council at the eau
Gus meeting of that body, knowing as
did, that the chairman of the committee
on drainage, who brought it about, was
the very one who forced me to write the
article. OF course, by not publishing the
correspondence which took place between
myself and the chairman of the drainage
committee, my position In the matter is
| indefinite, and Ii will therefore be neces-
respondence before them, that they may
see 1 did all in my power to keep the mat
ter from the public, and yet secure an out
let which would prevent the deposits of
focal matter in front of the city.
81 do not think Council would undertake
to impeach me. They cannot guy me.
1 am responsible for the health of 200
inhabitants, and over 1900 soldiers.
shall use every means l can TO keep the
city of Savannah in healthy condition
now and in the future. have no fear
of drum court martial although we
are, so to say, in the hands of the sol
: diery.
''This matter of sewage outlet is one of
too great moment to the future of this
city to allow one. or two or three men
who are not eXperts-to dictate to us. I
will prepare a paper in which l will show
that the matter of the pollution of rivers
by sewage has been settled long ago. In
Bucks Hygiene and Public HEALTH pub
| ished in England QS79) it says: In Eng
land. under the rivers pollution act the
discharge of sewage into any river or
stream without previous publication is
now prohibited so far as it relates to all
new drainage works This question is
not new one by any means.
II feel confident that If public sentiment
was known-and surely 1t ought to be
: known-fifty to one would object to hav-
ing filth poured In front of the city, when
: from 5000 to $1,000"
Several of the aldermen were asked for
their views in reference to possible i'm
parchment. Some regarded arraigning
the health officer for a professional opin-
ion as ridiculous, while others took an
opposite view, holding to the belief Dr.
LeHardy was transgressing proper bounds
in objecting to a thing Council had an
, proved
The health officer is in charge of one
of the most important city departments. -
: said Alderman Krouskoff. HE is the off.
: cial responsible for the preservation OF
) the public health, in so far as 1t relates
to the cleanliness of the city, as well as
the enforcement of regulations 10 prevent
the spread of disease. 1t seems to me he
should be given a latitude to express
himself fully on all matters, such as the
drainage question, but do not undertake
to say where he should stop in doing il
The city should first be sure il has a mar
of knowledge and determination to fiji thi: