Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-10

general assembly by Senator John H Barnes. which provides for the estab-
 ishment of a health board for the towr i and city, and which conso1fdates foul offices, town health officer, city health l officer, school inspector and milk in. spector, into one ofnce, will be with drawn This action was brought about l through the strenuous protest offered I by the citizens of the town at a special
 town meeting Friday evening in the town haM.
 Rev. Charles H. Ricketts introduced l resolution that opposed the measure before the assembly, and this resolu- tion was adopted by big majority. Senator John H. Barnes, the orig inator of the bill. seeing the sense oi the meeting against it. announced that he would withdraw it.
 The meeting was called to order promptly at o'clock by First Select man Caspar K. Bailey. who named Henry H. Pettis as chairman. Town Clerk Charles S. Holbroow read the call of the meeting.
 Introduced Resolution.
 Rev. Charles H. Ricketts, pastor of the Greeneville Congregatfonal church thenintroduced the following resolution for consideration and 1t was read by the clerk:
 Whereas, There has been introduced in the general assembly a legislative act, now pending before the commit tee on cities and boroughs whereby
 
 health for Norwich and to place under the care and control Of one official, to be appointed by said board, the duties now imposed by law upon a town health officer. city health officer, a medical inspector for schools and a milk inspector; and
 Whereas, no public demand or re- quest for such new system in the method of caring for the public health has been made by the town or city of Norwich, and no necessity appears for making the change Indicated.
 Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that said proposed meas ure is not desirable and that there will be a more efficient and successful reg ulation of public health matters under the continuance of the system now in meeting hereby respectfully, but most earnestly, requests our representatives in the general assembly to exert their influence in opposition to said pro- posed legislation.
 Rev. Mr. Ricketts emphasized the fact that there were several things the city have a right to inquire into, and one is that the people of Norwich the face of the bill; is there any con- dition in our present health depart ment unsatisfactory enough for a change, he said. We have been asked to give our approval on an uncertainty as to the expense of the proposed change. And lastly is it treating the officers who are now in charge fairly. Rev. MT. Ricketts referred to the work done by the present officers and fur ther referred to the infantile paralysis epidemic which Dr. Edward J. Brophy. the present city health officer fought so successfully along the line of pre- Vention.
 InfantiIe Paralysis Situation.
 Rev. Ricketts called the attention of the unprecedented situation of last of inf Ta a sis. We had man who was on his job day and night. Applause. And a man who worked for the protection of the children. There was not one real case of infantile paraly- sis in the city of Norwich last year. Rev. MT. Ricketts referred to some of the effects of infantile paralysis and the quarantine.
 Why is there in this bill a blank for the amount of money? The citizens of Norwich want to know what it would cost before it is endorsed. He said it is not right for us to bring wards consolidation and he asked the question why does this bill provide that a man must pay all his attention to the duties. A physician who has 8 big practice can't attend to it and one who has not a big practice we don't want. Rev. MT. Ricketts in clos ing said, may be wrong in this thing, but it looks to me as if the project
  sat down there was an out burst of applause and it was neces- sary for Chairman Pettis to rap two 0r three times for order.
 Senator Barnes Speaks.
 Senator John H. Barnes. who intro 1uced the bill in the general assembly, was the next speaker. Senator Barnes said that he drafted the bill and in it. In 1897 some of the best in Norwich appeared before the legislature opposed to putting the Montvilfe trolley system, he said Now look at it; one of the pest paying roads.
 Senator Barnes referred to the ap- oointment of the milk inspector and he number of licenses granted. etc. He claimed that the bill is in accord lnce with the state board of health and f the citizens don't want the bill he would not try to force it down their l hroats. l
 Senator Barnes had the clerk of the | meeting read the following letter which l le received from the secretary of the | 'tate board of health, Dr. John T. | Slack: senator John H. Barnes. Norwich,
 Conn:
 Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiry i IS to the advisability of consolidating |