Evening star., 1899-02-03
AT FAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Meeting Of School Board for Discussion of
Smallpox Situation.
Conflicting Views to Propriety of
Closing the SchOOIs-Gen-
eral and Personal.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 12T King Street,
ReU TeleDhOna No. 10D,


ALEXANDRIA, Va, February 3. 1899.
The regular monthly meeting of the city
school board was held last night in Pea
body Hall. The principal subject for con-
sderation was that of smallpox in Its rela-
tion to public schools. There was consider
able discussion on the matter, the board
finally voting in full approval of the course
which Superintendent Kemper had followed
in dealing with the disease. The movement
to have the schools closed until smallpox
abated was disapproved- by some of the
members in severe terms. The superintend-
ent himself strongly opposed it, and, this
morning stated his reasons, which were in
effect that such a course would merely
cause needless excitement, as all of the
school children had been vaccinated.
In addition he said. the school buildings
had been thoroughly fumigated and every
precaution taken against the spread of the
disease. He thought that many children
were far better off at school than running
around the streets.
The Health Officers Position.
Since the status of smallpox in Alexan-
andria first became grave DR.. Julian Mil
ler the health officer, has strongly advo-
Gated t'lat the public schools should be
closed, and quite a while ago he urged the
compulsory vaccination of students The
latter suggestion. DIR. Miler's reasons for
desiring the schools closed are, in effect,
that so long they are kept open hum
dreds of children congregate every day and.
intimately associate with each other. At
the same time the premises from which
many of the children come may be infected
with smallpox. The houSe-to-house eXami
nation. the doctor states, has not yet pro-
ceeded anything like far enough for the
school officials to know the condition of the
premises from which scholars come.
WiIiiam Watkins Injured.
Mr.. William Watkins, a well-known resi-
dent of West End. was seriously injured
yesterday afternoon while attempting to
alight from the electric car at Payne street
Watkins foot slipped on the icy street and
he fell. his left leg going directly under the
moving wheels and being nearly severed
from his body.
The injured man was conveyed to the
infrmary where DIR. OBrien amputated
the limb just above the knee. Mr.. Watkins
has wife and several children.
Health Guards Appointed.
Two additional health guards, Messrs.
j. B. Florence and James Butler have
been appointed to the force under Sergeant
Smith, increasing the squad TO sixteen. A
large number of houses are under the sur
premises, it is reported, will shortly be re-
leased from quarantine. Quarantine was
lifted last night from the houses of Orlando
Miller, at No. 920 Franklin street, and Rus
sell Cole, at 600 South Columbus street.
The house-to-house investigation yesterday
revealed several new cases in mild form.
General Matters.
burial service, attended by the saddest
of circumstances, took place at II o'clock
this morning from the residence of Edward
Keen, No. 100t Oronoco street, when two
infant children of the Keen family We're
laid to rest at once. They were Pearl and
Theron, the latter one year and the former
three years of age Rev. T Z. ReveIe per-
formed the ceremony. The interment took
place in the Methodist Protestant cemetery
The regular monthly meeting of the Co.
lumbia fire engine company was held last
night One resignation was received and
accepted. 1t was decided toxask the board
of fire wardens for a fire plug to be put in
front of the engine house and for a half
dozen new rubber suits
The rurnnr that there was a case of small
poX at the infirmary is unfounded. Every
precautlon has been taken at the nfirmary
against the disease. Edward NoIand who
was operated on for appendicitis at this
institution is improving.
MIR. Simon Blondheim, against whom cer-
tain charges Were recently dismissed bv
Mayor Simpson in the police court desires
fully exonerated him from any blame in the
matter, which statement Mayor Simpson
substantiates.
The Alexandria Relief Association. Sd
Virginia Regiment. viii hold a meeting in
Christ Church chapel this afternoon