The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-20
THURSDAY. JUNE 20, 1907.
Politcncss is to do nnd sny
The kinGcst thing in the kindcst
way.
A PLEA For HEAL.TII.

T. .
The unsanitary conditions in the
eastern and western sections of re-
Gently annexed territory are menace
to public health and demand immediate
attention The main trouble Is lack
Of drainage, in consequence of which
stagnant pools may be found on al
most every block, in public alleys as
we'll as on private lots. These pools
are n menace within themselves, but
in addition they breed fnnumerable
mosquitoes. which are a pest and
which are liable to spread fever far
and wide. This is not said at haphaz-
request Of the health officer and an
other distinguished member of the
Board of Health. The Times-D Dispatch
is no alarmist, but unless immediate
steps are taken to improve existing
conditions we may reasonably expect
an epidemic of fever before the sum
mer is ended.
But who has authority to proceed
with this work? No one, SO far as we
have been able to ascertain. The
Board Of Health has no authority, be-
cause drainage is an engineering mat
ter, and the City Engineer has no au-
thority, unless directed by the Coun-
ell. The only way out of the difficulty,
as we are informed. is for the City At
forney RI draw an nrdino,,ce dirnctin o.
the City Engineer to proceed, and for
both branches of the Council to adopt
it. To do this may require a months
time, thanks to our form of municipal
ing OF both branches OF the Council
and two-thirds majority TO appropri-
ate ST. to decorate the CITY Hall for
the reunion. These are fair samples OF
the machines action. How long will
the public tolerate it?
But In the interest of health and
comfort. we beg the Council to take
action as soon as possible. Citizens in
the annexed territory are now required
to pay full city taxes. and they are
entitled to every consideration which
such payment implies. They no longer
have protection from the county, and
are depend ent on the tender mercies
OF the city They ask for prompt and
effective relief.
ALABA,IA's.,,P 9AETItAI. TROUBLES
The State of Alabama has n political
situation that Is full Of entanglements
In the summer OF 1906 primary cleo
ton was held to nominate a candidate
for Governor and minor State officers
The Legislature Of Alabama convene!
only once in four years. and an ad
tourned session VIII begin in July
1907
Senator Morgan's term expire,
March 4th of the present year, and tn,
term of Senator Pettus will expire /,
1909 Therefore,. the next Legislator
will elect two United States Senators
and the primary election held last yea
nominated both Senator Morgan an
Senator Pettus, but. owing to the OK
IRENE age of each. 1t was deemed ad
visable 70 nominate alternates. Messr
Bankhead and Johnston We're chose,
The fight for Governor was betwce
Cunningham, and resulted in the sele,
ton of Mr. Conner, who is now Cover
nor.
So far SO good, but it is said thu
the prime reason Cor nominating IL
alternates was to prevent Mr.. Come
IN case OF his election as Governo
Il from appointing u man of his ow
selection TO succeed either Senate
Morgan or Senator Pcttus in the ever
OF vacancy. This was resented ]
the friends OF Mr., Conner, and VIII,
the State Convention met to decla
the result OF the primary and ado
platform. Corners friends, who we
In the majority, succeeded IN insert,
plank which was intended to abr
gate the result Of tho primary, so E
as concerned the nomination of alte
nate candidates for Senator.
Senator Morgan has since died. ri
Governor Conner has appointed n
Bankhead 10 serve unt!l the Legisl
ture meets in July AS The Leglslatu
- esctrolled by Conner men, it is II
.m1iphabie that the majority viii he
thatti- instruction of,lle primary W
abrogatcd by the subsequent action
the convention and elect some IN
,ther than Bankhead to the Senu
1oynynor Conner Is out in n cara
which he says that he VIII contin
to IN the office Of Governor and "
not be candidate for the Senate.
also holds that the action OF the y
mary Is not binding on the Leglslatu