Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-09-27
THE SEWERAGE QUESTION.

night on the topic which forms the caption
Of this article.
The meeting was held in the Cour
House, and was disappointing in numbers
OF the seventy-five present, were three 0
the nine members of Council, three loca
physicians, and too few of our leading
citizens.
DR.. L. ~ Halsey, President of tn
Associated Health Authorities Of the
county presided, and introduced the Secre
taFy of that organization, who read tn
following report.
1t Is told US that one ounce Of prevention
is worth a pound Of cure, but up to TIN
popular one.
People want to live as they please, allc
have the doctors cure them, if they can
when they get sick, the result of their Owl
imprudence, for that is human nature.
Sanitarians the world over have beer
trying to lessen disease, and prevent thu
invasion of disease producing influences
What kind of reception have they had
What kind of support has been given ane
what encouragement is there when tht
beneficiary is always obstructing and
hindeFing any assistance that is rendered
He is appreciated by he public in very
psssssii NE same manner rs one who tries e
rescue defeIlseless woman from the GRASP
Of an irate, brutal husband.
But nevertheless the good work goes on,
and the public to-day are the ignorant and
thankless beneiciaries of their untirine
efforts.
The twentieth century will see vastly
different condition of things in this line
than the one just passing away. This
was started with the sole
object of educating the residents OF this
county in matters sanitary, or those which
affect the public health.
We aim to meet in public places, secure
competent speakers, and discuss matters
that will be for the public good. We be-
lieye that if we can reduce the number OF
deaths, produce conditions that are not
favorable to the presence of preventable
diseases, we shall have performed a public
duty.
To do this we want the public sympathy
and public aid We have been fortunate
enough to have had number of excellent
speakers to address us, speakers who are
earnest. working sanitarians, and who
pensation than rendering a public service,
believing that what affects one, affects all,
a fact too seldom thought of. We have not
had a meeting for some time, due to the
fact that these unselfish speakers ale not
too numerous, and we shrink from asking
some to do SO much for so little.
If the public viii appreciate our efforts,
give us their sympathy and aid, the latter
in something substantial. we will promise
to continue our efforts and we hope to merit
a continuance of your sympathy, aid and
respect.
A few statistics may be interesting. For the
year ending June 80, 1899, there were
26, 419 births in New jersey and 30, 999
leaths. Win on population increase if such
reports continue.
Gloucester county does better. There
we're 532 births and 43s deaths; Woodbury.
,ity had "a births and rs deaths.
The death rate for one thousand inhabi-
ants was for the State, 1870; Gloucester
county, Il, 50; only excelled by three, Sussex,
LO.62; Cumberland, 1856; Hunterdon,
u. SO. While Atlantic county that great
Hudson county, 1856.
From the classified list of ten preyentable
diseases there were 8, 164 deaths SO being
rom measles, while the dread small pox,
lad none.
Nearly ten thousand deaths in one year
n little New Jersey from diseases that are
Known as preventable Neither the Boxers
# China, nor the Filipinos have dealt such
blow, vet wars are horrible, while we go
IN meeting the same old foe.
Mr.. Hunt was then introduced. He
began his address by complimenting the
PEOPLE of Woodbury. on many evidences of
public spirit he had witnessed in driving
,yer the city during the afternoon, among
hem he enumerated our school buildings,
ire department, water works, county build
ngs, ETC., but he saw many evidences of a
ack of sewerage.
Taking up the topic of his address,
Proper Sewerage, he read paper deal
ng extensively with the subject, saying in
part
Necessity now exist for public sewers,
more than few years ago. Sewers give
health, convenience and economy. Proper
sewerage is doing the work according to a
;ystem which will meet the future as well
Is present needs of all the community, and
10 no harm to other communities or indi-
RITUALS
sThe public construction of sewerage
;ystems should begin inside of the house
md end only when the sewage has been
made harmless or put where it can hurt
nobody
Just how far actual disease is caused by
ewer gas is somewhat doubtful, but we do
Know that its presence causes such deple-
ion of the general system as to make the
BODY liable to the gravest assaults of any
pecific germ that may be taken in. =
In speaking of the construction of sewers,
he speaker said no better results need be
expected in city work that has been
that you would expect in private
fairs left to some indifferent or selfish
outsider He said it was an unfortunate
disposition in certain communities to listen
o propositions from private companies for
he construction and maintenance and
private ownership of sewerage systems.
4 cannot conceive how citizens of any
community could be willing to
Dlace in the hands of company or any
ct of individuals not directly responsible
o all the people duty so serious as the
are Of a sewerage system. 1t touches the
lealth and well being Of all, and should
,e a public matter in every respect.
Better keep toll roads or any other relic
# barbarism than to place the health of a
at the mercy of those who
eek only round profit on their invest
nent.
The municipality is only an enlarged
amily, and it is but just that each member
+1.,4
,ood for one must benefit all. In every de-
all of sewage work keep the common inter
st steadily in view, and you will never
ave cause for scandal and never fail to get
he best results for the least money"
Personal.