The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-25
COUNCIL REFUSES TO PASS APPRO-
PRIATION ORDINANCE.
Members Afraid of smallpox Patients
Being Assembled Within the
City's Limits.

pert. The following members OF the Coun-
ell voted for the passage of the ordinance
as an emergency measure necessary for the
preser vation of public health and safety:
Republicans, Wynne, Cooper, Negley, Hol-
Hday, Mcfarland Grail. Billingsley.
Rhodes, Wheeler and WysOng; Democrat,
Never. The ordinance was defeated, al
though a majority of votes was recorded
for it, since all appropriation measures to
pass require a two-thirds vote. President
Haldeman was not present, and Council
man Sourber, who is opposed to a tenn
porary hospital for smallpox patients with
in the limits of the city, left the Council
chamber before the roll call on the ordi-
nance
After Thomas A. Wynne had presented
the report Of the majority of the commit
tee on finance, which consists in Council
men Wynne, Grail, WysOng and Rhodes.
the Democratic members clearly indicated
their attitude on the ordinance by refusing
10 vote for the adoption of the majority
report. Expert. Republican. voted with the
Democrats, and Meyer, Democrat, voted
with the Republicans. a motion for ad-
journment from the Democratic side of the
house was killed Immediately afterward.
occasion to explain his vote his name
was called. With the exception of Coun-
Gilman Expert, influenced. as he said, by
the opinion in his ward, the Fourth, the
Republicans endeavOred to point out TO
their Democratic colleagues that a pressing
danger exists. The Democrats, with the
exception of Councilman Meyer, who
wasted no words, sought to excuse their
stand against the ordinance and to set
themselves right before the public on the
general question Of the preservation Of
public health.
Before this vote is taken" said William
H. Wheeler, 81 want to say that / have
voted for every ordinance introduced TO
protect the people against smallpox, no
matter who introduced IL, Democrat or Re
Al don't know whether you have or not"
interrupted Moriarity.
Il am not accustomed to lying" said Mr.
Wheeler.
Jaouelin s. Holiday said: 81 have heard
it argued that this temporary hospital can
not be constructed within the month;
granted that it cannot, should we not give
the Board of Health free hand TO make
all preliminary arrangements as soon as
possible?
EXPLANATIONS VARIOUS.
Michael ]. Shea said that he was willing
to vote the Board of Health money TO as
sist it in the performance of it's duty. but
he did not think, he said, that pesthouse
should be built within the limits of the
city. Because of that provision OF the ordi-
nance he said he must vote against it,
THAT may be true said John II. Grail
in answer TO Mr.. Shea; 81, too, am opposed
to a pesthouse in the city. but we are con-
fronted with an emergency and We must do
something at once or be held responsible by
the people for whatever may happen. We
dare not assume the responsibility of the
terrible things that conservative physicians
fear"
Health is in touch with the situation; that
is what the board is there for. 1t is COM
posed of competent doctors who have the
confidence of the people and it seems to
me"
Hold a minute. Mr.. Billingsley." put
in Moriarity.
Il have no time to handy words with you.
Mr.. Moriarity,' said Mr.. Billingsley. IF
YOU have anything to say you may be able
to get recognition from the chair
Continuing, Mr.. Billingsley declared that
the members of the minority should think
carefully before defeating a measure of the
Importance of the one under consideration.
John Wolsiffer, in explaining his vote.
said he was opposed to the ordinance be-
cause it provided for a pesthouse within
the city. Why cannot a committee of
Council be appointed" he asked. Ito ar
a building outside the city where these
smallpox patients may be kept?"
Harry h. Negley answered Mr.. Wolsiffer.
That" he said, would be the hardest kind
I
meet. What property owner in the county
is there that would consent 10 rent build
ing on his place for the use of smallpox
patients? He would claim that such a use
would depreciate the value of the property.
If an attempt were to be made to buy a
suitable building advantage would be taken
of the citys necessity and eXorbitant prices
would be asked
Every physician / have talked to-" said
Lew Cooper, has assured me that there
would be no danger TO the citizens of the
Fourth ward il the Health Board were al
lowed to build the temporary hospital on
the hospital grounds / think We ought TO
go by what these doctors say. They GER
tainly are more capable of estimating the
gravity of the situation than are either
the members of the Republican or Demo-
cratic side of the house.
Moriarity saved his words for the last.
Very Electrically he leaned forward to-
ward the Republicans and, pointing a fore
finger. shouted: Il remember a time when
you Republicans did not consider the
smallpox situation serious as you say
IL is al the present time.
Name the time" exclaimed Mr.. Negley,
/ Mr. MOriarity did not take advantage of
/ the invitation TO recall dates and events
\ but continued with reasons for his refusal
/ to vote for the measure.
MR.. EXPERTS REASON
I Fred w. Expert. the only Republican
/ councilman who voted against the ordi-
nance. said that he disliked to go against
I
/ publican majority, but that in Difference
! to the wishes of his constituents of the
\ Fourth ward there was no other course
\ open to him. Beside" he said. when
| Mr.. BOokwalter and myself were cam
/ paigning the ward before the election, we
assured the voters that we would prevent
/ if possible. the establishment of a pest
/ house within the ward and | feel that
/ must keep my promise.
/ AS result of the defeat of the measure
/ last night there IS il is said, only one way
\ for Council to assist the members of the
\ Health Board. That is 10 introduce and
pass an ordinance providing that a pest
i house shall be built outside the city In
\ case such action is taken IL will proba bly,
\ be necessary to- appoint a committee &c
secure a site and make terms with the
I owner of the property.
! There is no doubt that such an ordinance
would be successful. Councilman Wynnt
! announced last night that he would sup
port a measure OF the kind, ana since the
/ counCilmen who voted against the ordi.
| nance last night declared their opposition tC
| il lay in the fact that the temporary con
| tagiOn hospital would be placed within the
! city limits. they would support a measure
/ placing the house outside the city. IL is
/ possible that a special meeting may be
| called TO introduce the emergency ordi.
/ nance in new form