Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-08-02
PUBLIC SENTIMENT
Demanded and Obtained Change
in Status of the Situation.
AN ACTING HEALTH OFFICER
Appointed to Replace DIR. agby.Suspen.l-
ed at the Bchest OF the Council.
Exciting Scenes at tho
Council Meet ng.
AN ACTING HEALTH OFFICER
Another bolt has fallen from clear


sky
The people of Newport News, or q
part Of them, got mad yesterday-an-
gcred at the way the authorities We're
mana ginS the quarantine against the
yellow fever.
As a result, DR.. J. r. Bagby. presi-
dent OF the Board Of Health, has been
suspended Indefinitely by the mayor at
the behest of the council, the board
has been reorganized. and the work Of
protecting the city is proceeding along
more vigorous lines.
The quarantine that has been called
absolute ana has been referred to as a
Gordon by which none could pass, has
been made absolute and complete.
Public sentiment demanded that there
should be no 'tritling with 4 situation
SO serious. no carelessncss in handling
an emergency SO grave. Public senti-
ment would be satisfied with nothing
less than absolute and complete pro-
lection from the diSeaSe-with Il quar-
antine which should be a quarantine
and not a farce.
This is what has been provided for
by the action of the council. which met
last night in regular session for an
entirely different purpose.
On S. W. Hobson, the present quar-
antine officer of the port. and formerly
hea 18th officer of the city, is now acting
health officer.
Mr.. r. G. Bickford is now the chief
of the line-the man whose duty it is
to see that the orders Of the board re-
specting the quarantine are carried out
to the letter regardless Of conse-
quences
That these gentlemen will do their
full duty it is entirely unnecessary to
r say. They re in these positions at
great personal sacrifice and from mo-
tives Of the highest patriotism.
These results sudden as they are,
We're not reached In a moment. They
did not originate With the council.
The public and public sentiment is re-
hponsiblc for them.
THE IWIMORS SPREAD.
All day long there had been rumors
on the streets of strange stories told
by people who claimed to have paid
twenty-five and fifty cents for passes
through the quarantine lines. These
stories spread, and as they spread they
grew in volume. Every hour added to
their number, but they We're all of mo-
notonous samcness. They were ali
about people who had been made to pay
for passes. Fault was found not only
because pay was apparently eXtOrted.
but more because the transactions
seemed to SAVIOR Of 4 Willingness on the
part Of the health officer and his as
sociate. DIR. William Hoskins. to give
passes which should not be given be-
cause of the emolumcnt that might be
derived from such action.
Ugly statements to this effect and
more. We're made. and these statements
We're sown like seed among the people
1:y the time the council met the cham
Der was crowded to its capacity With
excited citizens on the quivivo of expec-
fancy. They We're mad through and
through and ready to demand almost
anything. They not only had in mind
these rumors about DIR. Bagby and DR..
Hoskins. but they We're OF the opinion
that Il criminal carelessncss prevailed
in the quarantine-that nothing was as
it should be: that the Whole business
had to be remcded-remedied quick
rcmedied through and through. from
top to bottom and from end to end
The council had hardly been called to
order before Councilman LEM was on
his feet asking as a special privilege to
be allowed to address the council ION
a matter in which all Of the citizens
are Interested"
After some discussion he gave away
to the regular order Of business, Which
was soon gotten through with. Coun-
Gilman LEM was recognized.
THE CHARGES MADE.
Mr.. LEM said he had been told by
good authority that the quarantine
blockade seemed to be a farce When
he voted for the appropriation the night
before he did not know that it was to be
lottery, a game of chance, money
making scheme. The money appropri-
ated came from the taxpayers, but he
had found that the money was only a
capital prize for few
II have heard from Il gentleman" he
said, that he got a pass for fifty cents
and could get into the city and out Of
it when he wanted to.
II say it is an outrage upon the peo-
ple.'' continued Mr. LEM 'iWhat /
say I mean from my heart. II was
called upon to execute such people as
that. / would do it with as much cour-
age as would kill a dog. have every
thing at stake in this town. I love the
town, but now you have got to sell it
out! I say if we are to let this thing
go on we might as we'll call in the bal
ance Of the appropriation and let ev-
erybody come in and let every city
quarantine against US. I wish was
a gifted orator. would rip some Of
them up the back with my mouth
hope 1t will be the sense of this coun-
Gil to pass resolution to remove any
man who has accepted a, bride" Tire
done" CApplause.)
Attorney A. c. Peachy beings given