The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-01-26
DANGER Is now PAST
Continued from First page.

TO understand that we will not allow
the county of MoOaroken to endanger
the whole state with this disgusting
disease. Although a county judge he
seems to know but very little about
the powers of the state board Of health
in controlling epidemios. The course
he is pursuing is calculated to ruin
the business Of both McCracken cunty
and the city Of Paducah. II he would
aid the health authorities instead of
abusing them, the disease could be
soon stamped out.
CDR. Boyd, the h eslth officer, is one
of the best in the state, and his asso-
cistes on the board are equally eff
oient. But the judge seems TO differ
with all Of them as to the proper dag
nosis of the disease. He has right
to his opinion, and he can have the
disease if he wants to, but he must
not endanger other people. The may
or of the city of Paducah has rendered
the health authorities valuable aid, as
have the business men of the city, but
this does but little good il the county
Judge refuses assistance.
County Judge Lightfoot does not
like the idea that he gave in" He
said to reporter this morning that
he simply said what be had said all
along, that he would enforce the stat
utes of the state TO the best Of his
ability, which was all he could do, and
sn that he was expected to do. He
sad that his letter in reply to DR.. Tay-
lor, q member Of the county board Of
health, Saturday evening was all he
said, and that It explains itself. 1t is
as follows:
DR.. Taylor: Replying to your
communication, ii gives me pleasure to
say, as have so many times before
said, that have never failed to en-
force all laws Of the state pertaining
to smallpox and all other matters, and
o. course you know will continue to
do 20. The local board has never
asked for any warrants, as Boyd well
knows, and he will be compelled to &C
knowledge il. My duty is to assist in
the enforcement OF all laws of the
state; this will continue to ba done.
know you will agree with me, that
the whole controversy is q result of
personal feelings and misapprehension
Of the powers of the board by Boyd.
The absurdity Of the proposition Of
quarantine is an evidence Of that fact.
l not only have a desire that we have
no smallpox in this county, but a de-
sire that the people of this county be
not needlessly alarmed by threats OF
quarantine simply to justify person
al spleen and spite.
Now / am more than assured that
we can have no peace as long as Boyd
is permitted to remain at the head OF
and on the local board and again ex-
press to ycu the sentiment that If a
reasonable man were at the head Of
the same, that there would be no
trouble whatever. The threat Of Boyd
that he would make il cost this city
5000, goo when quarantine is declared,
ought to condemn him in the estima-
ito of everyone. He admits that there
is no danger in the disease and does
not counsel quarantine because Of the
spread Of the disease, but because, as
he says, l clsim that the disease is not
smallpox and the sole object is to get
some revenge upon me, because Of my
decision in the Luttreil case.
will not only enforce this law, but
will see to it that the law is not abused
either by Boyd or anyone else.
understand Boyd says there will be
quarantine anyway. The people are
condemning him severely and am
sorry that he has gone off as he has
II there is quarantine, as you and !
know, the responsibility rests solely |
upon him. for he can in nowise lay it
at the county's door.
The law is at the service Of the
board of health and all alike, | assure
you, and stand ready as an officer at
all times to enforce the same. Know
ing that you appreciate the entire sit
uation and having confidence in what
ever you may do, I am,
|. Yours Respt.
r. II. LIGHTFOOT, j. M. O. O. |