The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-11-17

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local authorities concerning a new
appointment. Frequent changes are
detrimental to the best interests of
the people.
Mr.. CARL of Canaan thought little
something ought to be left to the in
telligence of the people. He told of
local quarantine for diphtheria which
caused much expense when he was a
selectman to which he made objec-
ton. There had been no diphtheria
since
He did not believe in long distance
brain effect, Mr.. Warner of Cornwall
said he was a great believer in the
people and thought they were able
to run their own business.
Mr. Boyce of Waterbury related an
experience where a certain business
block in his own town was owned by
wealthy man and contained many
tenants, including a Chinese laundry
man. The Chinese allowed the waste
water from his laundry to escape in
to the cellar and the other tenants
naturally objected. The health Off
Ger compelled a drainage system to
be built and thereby incurred the en-
nifty of the owner. He thought if
the health officer had been appoint
ed by the selectmen that the nuisance
would not have been so easily abated.
Mr. Chapman of Windham opposed
the bill He thought the selectmen as
members of the local boards of health
had something to say now in regard
to health matters.
Mr. Pittredge of Leicester favored
the bill. Mr. Burbank of Cabot said
that although a physician he had not
the moral courage to be a health Of
licer He told of boy in his town
who attended school in a neighboring
town at a time when the office of
health officer could be sold to the
lowest bidder. This boy was taken
i'll and the health officer told him
he had sore throat and had better
go home. On his way home he talk
ed with a girl and also talked with
Mr.. Burbank asking his opinion of
his condition. He fonnd him to be
suffering with diphtheria Four days
later Mr.. Burbank himself was taken
seriously i'll and would probably have
died had it not been for the use of
antitoXin. The little girl with whom
the boy had talked died Mr.. Burbank
thought this good illustration of the
difference in the two methods of ap-
pointment.
Mr.. Martin of Brookline said that
when it came to a question of health
the Board of Health were the proper
persons to look after the welfare of
the people. He thought it was not
question of theoretical independ-
ence. He had no fear of arbitrary
methods.
Mr.. Ellis of Brooklield related a
case of neglect by a health officer I'M
der the old method by which a girl
died. He said it was all right to talk
about other peoples children when
you are considering quarantine meth
DDS, but it was different when your
own children were involved. DR..
Branch of Grand Isle said he had been
health officer for IL years under
both systems of appointment and had
attended every health officers school
From third to half of all health
officers We're laymen. He opposed
the bill
Mr.. CalderwCod of St Johnsbury
said if any official should have arbi-
trary power, it should be the health
officer He had seen a dozen demon
STATIONS at his home within week
of what would happen without a good
health officer. He opposed the bill.
DR.. Bryant of Ludlow said the health
officer could do nothing but put up
a quarantine notice except by author
ity of local boards of health The bill
was then refused a third readihg by
large majority.
Highway Bill Discussed.
II. 1852, relating to the disposition
of unexpended highway taxes in in
corporated villages was taken up as
a special order. Mr.. Dattcll of Mid
dlebury said this bill, was another at
questioned the constltulionality of
taking money raised b. villages and
spending outside their limits without
their permission. tie said We want
no permission TO spead that which is
our own.
Mr.. Barron of Barton defended the
bill. Mr.. Bailey Of Randolph opposed
the bill He thought the village streets
were almost as beneficial to those
outside the limits as those who lived
within.
Mr.. Peck of Burlington thought the
bill invaded the rights of town Off
Gals and opposed the bill The meas
ure was then killed without a voice in
its favor.
Mr.. Corwin of Chelsea called up
II. 22S, amending the act relating to
the listing of engines, boilers, and GER
tain other machinery. The question
was on an amendment inserting the
word machinery" Mr. Corwin de-