The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-07-04
A Big STORM
QDCWJNG I
The Board Of Health En-
ploy a Lawyer
TO PROSECUTE ALL PERSONS
WHO Use POSSUM run
FOR SEWERAGE.
A Mistaken Movement That Will
Come to Naushi.

Come to Naushi.
The Board of Health had meeting,
Tuesday evening, at which the Possum
Run question was considered, and de-
cisive action agreed upon.
1t was decided TO stop the use of Pos
sum Run for sewerage, to notify all per-
sons who are using IL for such purpose to
discontinue its use, to compel them to
use cesspOols, aud to prosecute all who
persist in using the run for sewerage
purposes.
Attorney s. 81. West was employed
by the Board TO begin proceedings.
All drains carrying sewage into the
run are to be shut of.
The results, IL these orders are car
ried out, will be far reaching and in
volve the central part of the city, and
many properties almost to the city
limits.
1t will cause Q great disturbance Of
present conditions, involve much ex-
pepse and trouble, be almost impossible
Of enforcement, and will cause quarrels,
law suits and general tearing up Of
the streets. The question Is, is the &C.
tion we'll considered, at this timer As
We understand, the Longworth law
permits the Council 10 issue bonds for
sewerage without . vote. AS this
makes sewerage possible 1t any time,
would il not be better to defer this &C.
tion of the Board Of Health? ---i.-' :
We were Q member of the Board Of
Health 1t one time, when the Health
Onicer pressed this question of Possum
Run sewerage, and he was ordered TO
notify parties to stop the use of the run
for sewage, and shut OF all sewerage
pipes The Health Oficer Was enthu-
siastic and full Of pluck, and he went to
work In earnest. But he found Difficult
ties besetting him, that he had not
dreamed of; and before he knew it. he
flooded buildings, and was threatened
with suits for damage Not all pipes
that foW into the run are used for sew
erage purposes; como are used only for
water drains. some that were con-
structed for water drains, are used
by some people for sewerage purposes.
Who can tell who is and who is not
using drains along the street, for sew
erage purposes? We have . county
drain on Chillicothe street, constructed
70 carry on surplus water. A number
OF persons along the line of this drain,
(the Health officer of the present Board
included) use it for sewerage purposes.
What right has the Board Of Health 70
close this county ditch, constructed for
proper purposes, because some persons
illegally, and without authority use II
for sewage purposes? The same trou-
BILE arises as to drains from blocks OF
buildings, which some people use for
proper purposes, and some for i'm
proper? II the Board of Health shuts
of one of these drains and damages Q
building that uses one Of these drains
for proper purposes, will not the
Board and the city be liable for dam
ages? How Is the Board TO find Out
who are and who are not using these
drains for proper purposes? These
difficulties were met by the Board o.
Health that once tried this sweeping
remedy, and after due consideration
the movement was abandoned.
There does not seem TO be as much
necessity for this action now, as usually
The big rains have slushed the run
and it Is not as bad as usual, and .:
there is Q better prospect than ever fol
asewerage system. the necessity for this
is not SO imperative.
Il Is Q question whether the shutting
on Of these drains at this time wouli
not bring about . worse sanitary condi
tion in the city than We have At present
It Is also . question whether the dig
ging Of cesspools and the opening o
connections with these would not Great.
. worse sanitary condition.
II justice, good health, and proper
sanitary condition of the city, is wha
the board seeks, IL should not have con
fined its action to Possum Run. Their,
are other blocks whose sewage Il
carried into bitches that run through
the city, and those who are Of tn,
Board and acting with IL, are interestet
In these. These, too, should lie lookes
after, IL any action Ii to be taken.
The county Is using Possum Run TO
sewerage purposes, and many citizen
are, and to shut them OF would not on
ly cause great Inconvenience and ex
pense, but in some cases would work
great injury. There IL no unusual sick
ness along Possum Run, there Is n
evidence that 1t is more unhealth,
along the line Of this run. than In an,
other part Of the city. There beinI
therefore no pressing reason for thi
action, we think it had better be de
lsyed, In view Of all the difficulties be
, setting the question. Personally, W
are not interested. But We do not be
lieve that heroic measures are justif
able where better remedies ma
secured.
Small pox has broken out At Marion