AN ADDRESS 1 FROM THE OF NEW ORLEANS, TO THE OTHER, CITIES AND TOWNS IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. PUBLISHED BY THE AUXILIARY SANITARY ASSOCIATION. JUNE, 1879. NEW ORLEANS: L. GRAHAM, BOOK PRINTER, 127 GRAYIER STREET. 1879. AN ADDRESS % From the Auxiliary Sanitary Association of New Orleans to the Other Cities and Towns in the Mississippi i alley. The suggestion of this publication may be found in the following letter, and it is made in the hope of aiding other communities to’a solution of the sanitary difficulties which environ particularly those destitute of health organizations clothed with authority of law : “ Memphis, Tenn., May, 1879. “ To the President of the New Orleans Auxiliary Sanitary Association, New Orleans, La. : “ Dear Sir—The eminently practical character of the “ New Orleaus Auxiliary Sanitary Association”—its power to accomplish important sanitary reform with expedition—has led me to believe that, could the establishment of similar associations be realized in the towns and cities of the Mississippi Valley—especially those lyiug south of Cairo —much good would result, not only to each town so organized, bu*o also to the people of the entire Valley;—indeed, so fully am I impressed with this, that I have concluded to request, if it be not asking too much, that jour Association forthwith mail to each town aud city in the Mississippi Vallej a copy of your organic law, accompanied with such explanatory comment upon the practical details as will enable any so disposed to adopt at once your plan of organization. u Wishing your Association such success as its begiuuiug warrants the country at large to expect, I am, very truly yours, “ J. D. PLUNKETT, M.D., “ President Sanitary Council of the Mississippi Valley.” The true occasion of the organization of the New Orleaus Auxiliary Sanitary Association is found in the actual situation of our citizens at the openiug of the warm season of 1879, following the great epidemic of 1878. We have a Board of Health, clothed with considerable powers, both as regards external quarantine and the sanitary regula- tions of the city of New Orleans, but deficient in the necessary funds for carrying out its objects, owing to the limited amount appropriated tor its support by the city authorities. The amount provided in the budget for 1879 is only $10,000, and will not suffice to meet the sala- ries of the sanitary inspectors and sanitary police, and the ordinary expenses of their offices. It was evident, therefore, that the sanitary condition of the city must be far from satisfactory, unless energetic measures could be promptly inaugurated outside the constituted authorities. 2 The particular causes which inaugurated this movement were, the manifest existence of every crying nuisance in our midst, and the recog- nized inability < f our civic authorities and board of health, for want of means and lack of power, to their abatement. The wide spread con- viction of the absolute necessity for improved sanitation and hygienic reform—these subjects discussed at first socially by a number of our thoughtful and intelligent merchants—soon assumed publicity in the following call which saw light in the public prints March 31, 1879. “To the Citizens of New Orleans. “The epidemic of last summer havinginflicted incalculable loss upon this community, we owe it to the city’s reputation and good name abroad, that her citizens should be fully aroused to the great interest on which the well being, not only of New Orleans, but of a large part of the Great Valley, so much depends. “Health is capital for a man. It is also capital for a community. Public health is public wealth. The epidemic of last summer ought to prove these statements—if they needed proof—to every citizen of New Orleans. The future of our city depends upon no one thing so much as the prevention of such outbreaks hereafter. “ Notwithstanding its commanding natural position, and all that enterprise and skill may do to improve and develop it, while the city is liable to be scourged as it was last summer, the decay of New Orleans is sure to be steady. “In the present advanced condition of sanitary science, no city can afford to sit down iu apathy uuder the reputation of uuhealthiuess, and hope to prosper. “ It is felt abroad, too, that our city is in a great degree responsible for the loss of life and the misery and sorrow of the epidemic. Right or wrong, New Orleans is credited with it all. “ Upon any prospect of unusual sickuess iu this city hereafter, the quarantine against it will be prompt aud effective; so close, indeed, may the blockade become, as to render the necessaries of life too costly for the poor to obtain. “ We see no reason why the city of New Orleans should not be as healthy as any on the Continent. There is nothing iu its situation, with a vast swift river flowing past its doors, with an atmosphere purified by breezes from the Gulf, and a lake of salt water in its rear, to prevent this. We are convinced it only needs intelligent, united and determined action on the part of our people to. secure entire exemption from yellow fever, or such a mitigation of its outbreak as to render alarm unnecessary. “ The City Government and our excellent Board of Health do all they can with the limited means iu their hands, and under the difficulties of the situation. We desire to aid them, by creating a more lively public sentiment in favor of cleanliness and public sanitation, and by helping, with voluntary contributions, to make up deficiencies iu an impoverished city treasury. “ Citizens must encourage and sustaiu the men whom they have trusted with the grave responsibility of the public health. These gen- 3 tlemen should be made to feel that they are seconded aud sustained by the intelligence, patriotism and wealth of the community. “We owe it to the city’s reputation and good name abroad, that her citizens should be fully awake to the great interest ou which the well-being, not only of New Orleans, but of a large part of the Mississippi Valley, depends. “ Actuated by these considerations, we desire to organize a Com- mittee of Citizens, who shall act with the City Government aud Board of Health, as helpers iu matters of city sanitation aud public cleau- iness. « “No time can be more favorable. There is at present no prevalent sickness in New Orleans. Its situation as to health will compare favorably with that of any city in the country or the world. “Beginning promptly now, let us put our hands to the work aud do all that an intelligent people can do, with God’s help, to preserve health and its blessing to the people. It is the part of philanthropy, of common sensd and of self-interest. CHAS. A. WHITNEY, W. B. SCHMIDT, GEORGE HORTER, W. C. BLACK, S. HERNSHEIM, J. T. WOODWARD, ALBERT BALDWIN, JOSEPH BOWLING, EDWARD FENNER. The above address having received the signatures of a large num- ber of citizens, who agreed to participate in a permanent organiza- tion, a call was issued for a mats meeting, which was held at Odd- Fellows’ Hall, March 31st. Mr. Win. 0. Black was called to the chair, and the meeting was addressed by Kev. Hugh Miller Thompson, Gen. Cyrus Bussey, Mayor I. W. Pattou and others. Permanent organization was effected by the adoption of its present name and the election of the following gentlemen as officers: President, Chas. A. Wbituey; Sec- retary, John C. Heudersou ; Corresponding Secretary, Win. M. Bur- well ; Treasurer, Henry Giuder. Committees were appointed as follows: on Constitution and By-Laws; Executive Committee; on Finance; on Streets and Landings; on Public Grounds, Buildings and Levees; on Canals and Drainage; on Conference with the City Authorities and Board.of Health ; on Cattle and Domestic Animals ; on Correspondence with other Cities in the United States aud Foreign Countries. April 3d, the gratifying announcement was made that Dr. C. B. White had been chosen Sauitary Director of the Association aud had accepted the position. Dr. White’s services as President of the Board of Health from 1809 to 1876, have given him the foremost position in New Orleans as a sanitarian, and this, together with his prominent standing in the American Public Health Association, has gained him a national reputation. His long experience in duties which have been to him rather a pleasure than a task, and his unabated zeal for public health are again at the service of his fellow- citizens, and they are certain to be the gainers. On April 4th, another important meeting of the Association was 4 held. A tender was made by two large hardware firms of the free use of their drays, floats, etc., for hauling purposes, aud also of spades, shovels, etc. This was soon followed by liberal offers from many others of various materials and services. The committee appointed to prepare an address made some notable recommendations for promoting the public health, among which may be mentioned the daily flushing of the gutters with water from the river, the removal of filth from underneath the bridges across the street gutters, the prompt removal of the scrapings of the screets and gutters and of kitchen garbage, careful attention to privy vaults, the discontinuance of the present pauper burial ground aud its coveriug with river saud, the adoption of hopper barges for the removal of night soil and all kinds of garbage, and the abolition of intramural interments. At this meeting Mr. Whitney estimated that not less than $100,000 would be needed to carry out the views of the Association. Before adjourning, a committee of three was appointed for the purpose of inaugurating neighborhood organizations, as cooperative branches. On April 0th, the following address was published in the morning- papers : I Picayune April fitb.) “SANITARY ASSOCIATION. “ ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS. “The Auxiliary Association for the Preservation of the Public Health have assumed an important public duty. This duty will be to secure the health and comfort of the city, the vigilant enforcement of the public laws and ordinances enacted with that object. “It is to secure for our citizens, not only the enjoyment of health, but that just reputatiou for public health, upon which otfr social and commercial intercourse must so greatly depend. “Iu assuming this important duty we impose upon you no cost of taxation and no compulsory process of law other thau at present exists. We intend no reflection upon the competency of the authorities whom you have appointed to execute the laws, and we are authorized to assure you that these authorities have cordially welcomed the volun- tary services wiiich we offer as an auxiliary agency at once Sincere and efficient. “For whatsoever we may effect we shall ask n® compensation, except the reward of having contributed to the common happiness and to the common interests of our fellow-citizens. “After a careful consideration of the emergency, the executive com- mittee of the New Orleans Auxiliary Sanitary Association have unani- mously agreed to urge upon the authorities the pressing necessity of adopting the following preliminary measures of sanitary reform, and of appealing to the people to help us carry them into effect: “ Firmly believing that a plentiful supply of fresh water is the first and most important requisite for sanitary purposes, we propose, with such help as we may be able to obtain, to have the street gutters— those running parallel with the river, as well as those running from it to the rear of the city—flushed with rapid streams of fresh river 5 water, for 'the greatest practical length of time every clay, flaring spring and the coming summer. “ We hold the present mode of cleansing the streets and gutters to be very defective and extremely injurious to the health of the city. We shall insist upon an entire and radical change in it. We depre- cate, and will seek to stop, the reprehensible practice of throwing the tilth out of the gutters anil its accumulation in heaps on the streets, unless the carts be made to follow immediately after the scrapers to take the tilth away. ;i We propose to have the levee and wharves put in a better state of repair, to stop the accumulations of tilth on them, to till up the many holes and cesspools on the batture and to put a stop to the present outrageous mode of filling defective nuisance boats, which is apt to generate and to spread disease among the shipping in port. “ We shall strive to inaugurate a better system of removal and dis- posal of the kitchen otfal and back-yard tilth, adopting to that end some such system as the one now in successful operation in the city of New York. “ The present system of privy vaults is oue of the very worst features of our defective sanitary conditiou. We shall strive to procure such improvement of the entire system as may be found practicable. “ We must compel the thorough cleansiug and ventilation of the numerous low, crowded and filthy tenements in the heart of the city. We shall urge upon the municipal authorities the pressiug necessity to adopt and enforce such ordinances as will prevent and punish the crowding of too many people in one lodging or shanty. We shall see to it that the existing ordinances which forbid the keeping of geese, ducks, hogs, goats, etc., in the thickly populated parts of the city be stringently enforced. “ The numerous cow-stables, dairies, etc., in and near the thickly populated districts of the city must be removed outside of its limits, and the existing sanitary regulations as to the cleanly keepiug of the many exteusive livery stables and their immediate surroundings in the heart of the city must be strictly enforced. “ We hold that all the present cemeteries within the city limits should by all meaus be closed as early as practicable against future use. “ There is certainly no climate in America where the vicinage of cemeteries does so much damage to public health as here. Intramu- ral interments should be forbidden, and rural interments substituted for them in all cases. The growing public sentimeut, which approves of this proposed change, is uo less inconsistent with due respect to the remains of the dead, than with a safe regard to the health of the living, and neither custom nor prejudice, nor property rights, should stand iu the way of this important measure of sanitary reform. “ Those horrible twin nuisances, the Locust Street Cemeteries, we shall insist upon abating at once, by having both of them tilled up at least two feet deep with river sand, and we impress upon the city authorities the urgent necessity of providing at once for a new Pot- ter’s field, “ Such is the position, sucn are the measures, and such the responsi- bilities assumed by this Association. 6 “ To you, fellow citizens, we must appeal for a co-operatiou far more valuable than anything which we can effect, and without which the acts of public authority or of voluntas aid must be impotent. “You will comprehend the disinterested character of our services and bestow upon us your confidence. You can make known your wants, the neglect or dereliction of public agents, with information upon the effect of the public regulations which could be acquired so well from no other source. “Regarding ourselves as but the voluntary representatives of your interests, we ask that you will confer with and report to this Associa- tion whatever may occur to you as a local remedy. “We trust that, with the uuited and harmonious efforts of the pub- lic authorities and the popular support, we may be enabled to estab- lish the reputation of our city for cleanliness and health, as second to that of none in the Union or in the world.” Executive Committee of the flew Orleans Auxiliary Sanitary Association. Chas. A. Whitney, President N. O. A. S. A.; Cyrus Bussey, Chair- man ; S. Hernsheim, Alb. Baldwin, Geo. Foerster, Chas. Clinton, Jos. Bowling, James Jackson, M. J. Zuuts, H. Ginder, Geo. Horter, Edw. Heath, T. S. Woodward, Ernest Kruttschuitt, Geo. H. Braughn, W, B. Sdhmidt, Ed. Fenner. JOHN C. HENDEBSON, I4ec. Sec. W. M. BUBWELL, Cor. Seo. Special Committees to solicit subscriptions for the purposes of the New Orleans Auxiliary Sanitary Association. On Builders, Mechanics and Founderies ; on Boats; on Shipping ; on Banks, Insurance Companies, Railroads and Hotels; on Cotton Presses; on Cotton Buyers and Brokers; on Cotton Factors; on Western Produce; on Grocers; on Liquor Dealers; on Tobacco Deal- ers; on Sugar and Molasses and Refiners ; on Brokers ; on Stevedores and Screvvineu; on Boss Draymen ; on Dry Goods and Clothing; on Hardware, Crockery, Saddlery and Carriage Dealers and Manufac- tories; on Cotton Seed Oil Mills and Dealers; on Boots and Shoes and Leather Dealers; on Furniture and Music Dealers; on Butchers and Stock Dealers; on Jewelry and Fancy Goods; on Stationery; on Lawyers; on Saloons, Billiard Halls and Restaurants. Books with proper authorization, will be furnished on application to either the chairman of the committees or to the secretary at the office of the Association, room No. 4, Morgan’s Railroad office build- ing, corner Natchez and Magazine, entrance on Natchez street. JOHN C. HENDERSON, Secretary. 7 The following call for subscriptions was issued April 17th: ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS. “ The New Orleans Auxiliary Sanitary Association has entered upon its duties. Its purpose is to second and supplement the work of the Board of Health and the city authorities, in putting our city at once in as good a sanitary condition as possible, and in keeping it so and steadily improving it. To this end it asks the earnest and intelligent co-operation of every citizen, rich and poor, who has an interest or pride in New Orleans, or any regard or love for the prosperity of this city. “ The association with profound satisfaction refer to the well known gentlemen whose names are on its list of officers and members as a guarantee of its purposes and the honest spending of every dollar. “ The association will consider itself under pledge to expend the money intrusted to it under the direction of its finance committee, with sanction of its executive committee. At stated times a public report will be made of every dollar received and disbursed. “ For any effective cleaning up and keeping clean of the city, a con- siderable sum of money will be required in addition to the very small sum appropriated to that work by the city budget, for which limited appropriation the department of improvements nor auy other depart- ment are not to be blamed. “ The money we ask you to contribute for our work will return, how- ever, at ouce to the laboring classes of our people, by giving employ- ment to many men iu enforced idleness. It will do good in both ways, and still remain at home. “Committees are now engaged in soliciting contributions to the treasury of our association from the business men and institutions of our city. But such canvassiug must of necessity be partial, aud we appeal at ouce to every citizen to contribute according to his ability and without waiting to be asked. It must be understood that the association is purely voluntary, It can expend only what is given it. It cau impose no tax aud make no loan. We need not argue that it is better to spend money to prevent sickness than to cnre it. A dollar now judiciously speut may save a hundred hereafter. “ It is noble aud humane to contribute, as our people did last summer their thousands to nurse and care for the iudigent sick. It is no less noble aud humaue, aud far wiser to coutibute their tens aud hundreds now to prevent such sickness and misery agaiu. We believe our people are awake to the common sense view of this question. Fellow- citizens, the fortunes aud future of our city are in the balance. The dullest cauuot fail to see this. ‘ God helps those who help them- selves.’ Even the Almighty cannot help those who will not help themselves. “To the patriotism, the benevolence, the intelligence and self-interest of our people we appeal. The eyes of the country are upon us at this moment. Let us resolve that no effort of ours shall be lacking. Let tue rich give largely. Let the poor man send his mite. “ Let the ladies not forget this work ; there are none more interested than they. No contribution will be refused on accouut of its small- ness ; all will be acknowledged promptly as desired. 8 “ We do not doubt that the people of New Orleans will show them- selves in this undertaking worthy of their name and record. The only reward desired by those who founded this association, and will for the present direct its efforts, is the approbation of their own con- science and the earnest hope that when their work is completed it can be said of them: ‘ Well done, good and faithful servants.’ “Address contributions to Henry Giuder, Treasurer, or any other member of the Fiuauce Committee. CHAS. A. WHITNEY, President. CYRUS BUSSEY, Chairman Executive Committee. ALBERT BALDWIN, W. D. SCHMIDT, JAS. I. DAY, JULIUS WEIS, S. HERNSHE1M, GEO. HORTER, EDW. FENNER, John C. Henderson, Rec. Hec. Finance Committee. It is to be remarked that this Association is precisely what its name indicates, auxiliary to the constituted authorities, supplementing the work which they are unable to carry to completion for want of funds, bringiugto light abusesand nuisances which only large numbers of men inspired by active zeal could effectually expose, and encouraging the inauguration of public improvements which the authorities would not venture to undertake. Among the latter may be mentioned a plan lor flushing the gutters and drainage canals by the daily admission of river water, which is now in progress; the Kochdale pail system, to supercede the present privy vaults ; the creation of a board of public works, for carrying out a gradual and systematic scheme of public improvements with special reference to sanitation, which is in con- templation, but not yet elaborated ; the general disiufectiou of privy vaults by the zinc-iron chloride, which will soon be supplied gratui- tously to those unable to purchase it ; the supplying of sand gratuitously at the levee for tilling lots in the city. Already the Association has covered over with earth the pauper graveyard, which had become a crying nuisance and reproach to the good name of our city 5 it has furnished ten additional sanitary police officers to the Board of Health; it has supplied the city with fifteen covered carts, for the removal of garbage without disseminating its foul odors; it has contracted for the building of two more garbage boats for the nuisance wharves ; it has awakened a general interest in public and private sanitation ; and it has accomplished all these good works, and proposes to carry out others, without coming iu con- flict with the legal authorities, but by encouraging and assisting them in their lawful functions. The present sketch of this voluntary association of citizens would be incomplete without its plan of organization, which is here pre- sented in i*ts charter and by-laws. 9 CHAR.TEK OP THE New Orleans Auxiliary Sanitary ‘Association. STATE OF LOUISIANA, Parish and City of Nkw Orleans. Be it Known, That on this 12th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine, and of the independence of the United States of America the one hundred and third: Before me, ANDREW HERO, Jr., a notary public in and for the parish and city of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, duly commissioned and qualified, and in the presence of the witnesses hereinafter named and undersigned, personally came and appeared, the several persons, whose names are hereto subscribed, who severally declared that, availing themselves of the provisions of the laws of this State relative to the organization of corporations for the preservation of life and property and for literary, scientific, religious and charitable purposes, and being desirous of acquiring and enjoying for themselves and their associates and succes- sors, the rights and privileges of a corporation and body politic iu law, they have covenanted and agreed and do by these presents covenant and agree and bind themselves, as well as all such other persons as may hereafter become associated with them, to form themselves iuto a body corporate, for the objects and purposes, and under the articles and stipulations following, viz : The purposes and objects of this corporation are hereby declared and specified to be the execution of such measures as are or may be necessary for the preser- vation of life and the public health and to prevent the introduction or spread of disease; and to these ends, to aid and assist the public authorities in carrying into effect all proper ordinances or laws relative to public health, and to adopt sys- tematic measures for the collection and proper distribution of m mey or property derived from voluntary subscriptions or otherwise, in such manner as will best teud to preserve life and property and promote the prosperity and health of the city of New Orleans. ARTICLE I. ARTICLE II. Said corporation shall be known and designated by the name, style and title of THE NEW ORLEANS AUXILIARY SANITARY ASSOCIATION. By the aforesaid corporate name said corporation shall have aud enjoy succession and exist and continue for the full term aud period of Tweuty-tive years from and after the date of these presents; to contract, sue aud be sued; to receive, hold, acquire and dis- pose of, as well as let, lease and hire, all and any kind of property, real, personal and mixed, as may be deemed necessary, not, however, exceeding iu value three hundred thousand dollars, under such by-laws, rules and regulations as its Executive Committee may deem proper ; to name, appoint aud have such officers, agents and clerks as may be deemed necessary for the proper management aud transaction of its business affairs and concerns, to make and use a corporate seal, and the same to break or alter at pleasure; aud to enact, adopt and establish such by-laws, rules and regulations as the Executive Committee thereof may deem requisite for the proper management, preservation aud government of the affairs of said corporation, as well as to alter or amend the same at pleasure. The domicile of said corporation shall be at the city of New Orleans, in the Parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana aforesaid; and all citations or other legal process shall he served upon the President of said corporation. ARTICLE III. 10 All the corporate powers of said corporation shall be vested in a committee, to be styled “ The Executive Committee,v and composed of fifteen members of said corporation ; said committee shall be elected, annually, on the first Tuesday of April in each year, and a majority of the votes cast shall be required to elect. Said committee, at their first meeting in April in each year, shall elect a President, who shall hold office ufltil his successor shall have been elected, and shall have the power to appoint such other officers and sub-committees as they may deem neces- sary for the purposes of this corporation, and the same to dismiss at pleasure. Any vacancy that may occur in said Executive Committee shall be filled, by election, by the remaining members thereof. And said Executive Committee shall have full power to make, enact, and alter or amend any and all rules, regula- tions and by-laws that they may deem requisite for the support and management of said corporation and the admission of new members. ARTICLE IV. ARTICLE V. Messrs. Cyrus Bussey, Simon Hernsheim, Henry Ginder, Albert Baldwin, George Horter, Edward Heath, George Foerster, Charles Clinton, Thomas J. Woodward, Joseph Bowling, Ernest B. Kruttschnitt, James Jackson, George H. Braughn, William B. Schmidt and Marcus J. Zunts have been chosen and selected as the Executive Committee of said Association, with Charles A. Whitney as President of said cor- poration, to serve as such until the second Tuesday in April, of the' year eighteen hundred and eighty, or until their successors shall have been elected. No member of this Association shall be liable or responsible in any amount for the contracts or faults of this corporation, or of any member thereof. ARTICLE VI. The members of this corporation, at any general meeting convened for such purpose, after twenty days prior notice shall have first been given in two news- papers of this city, shall have the pow er to make any modifications or changes in this act of incorporation, in the manner provided in section No. 679 of the Revised Statutes of this State, or to dissolve the Association, with the assent of three- fourths of the members of said Association present at such meeting. ARTICLE VII. ARTICLE VIII. The members of this Association shall be those only who shall sign the Charter prior to the recordation in the office of mortgages of this parish ; and the Associa- tion may, by its By-Laws, provide for the admission of members hereafter, and also of honoraiy members, whose privileges shall be defined in said By-Laws. Thus done and passed: in my office, in New Orleans aforesaid, in the presence of David J. Dowers and Francis Graham, witnesses, both of this city, who hereunto sign their names with the parties, and me said notary, the day and date aforesaid. Original signed: CHAS. A. WHITNEY, W. B. SCHMIDT, CYRUS BUSSEY, G. H. BKAUGHN, W. C. BLACK, GEORGE HORTER. THUS. J. WOODWARD, ALBERT BALDWIN, EDWARD FENNER, S. HERNSHEIM, JOS. BOWLING, E. B. KKUTTSCHNITT, M. J. ZUNTS, JAMES JACKSON, HENRY J. LEOYY, CHAS. CLINTON, HENRY GIN'DER, F. WINTZ, CHAS. MACREADY, GEORGE FOEKSTER, E. HEATH, D. J. DOWERS, FRANCIS GRAHAM, I. H. STAUFFER. ANDREW HERO, Jk., Notary Public. 11 STATE OF LOUISIANA, Parish of Orleans. I, John J. Finney, District Attorney of the First Judicial District of the State of Louisiana, which includes the parish of Orleans, within the limits of which said district the domicile of the within corporation is fixed, do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the within aud foregoing act of incorporation, and am satisfied of its legality; and that I am of the opinion that the purposes and objects of said corporation, as expressed in said act, are legal, and that none of the provisions therein contained are contrary to law. New Orleans, April 12, 1879. JOHN J. FINNEY, District Attorney of First Judicial District of Louisiana. STATE OF LOUISIANA, Parish of Orleans. I, the undersigned, Recorder of Mortgages, in and for the parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana, do hereby certify that the within and foregoing act of incor- poration was this day duly recorded in my office, in Book 152, folio 314, etc. New Orleans, April 12, 1879. J. G. RICHARDSON, D’y R. I certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of the original aot on file and of record in my office. New Orleans, April 12, 1879. ANDREW HERO, Jr., • Notary Public. BYLAWS. OF THE New Orleans Auxiliary Sanitary Association. ARTICLE I. The members of the Association shall meet on the first Tuesday of February in each year, at 7i o’clock, P. M., and at such other times as they may be convened in special session uuder the rules contained in these By-Laws, to transact such business as shall be laid before them. ARTICLE II. The officers of this Association shall be a President, nine Vice-Presidents, a Sani- tary Director, Treasurer, Secretary, an l Corresponding Secretary, who, after the first election, shall be annually elected by ballot by the 'Executive Committee, at their first meeting in February of each year. The Treasurer’s accounts shall then be duly settled/ If, for any cause, there should be no electiou at said meeting, the officers in place and all executive agencies of the Association shall be continued until an election may be had, or new order made at some subsequent period. 12 It shall be the duty of the President to preserve order at all meetings of the Association, to direct the minutes of the last meeting, and all the Reports of Committees to be read ; to call Special Meetings under the Rules of the Associa- tion ; and to approve of all accounts which may have been authorized by the Executive Committee. The Vice-Presidents, in the order of seniority, shall, in the absence of the President, have the same power and authority that the President possesses, when personally present; and, in case the whole of these officers be absent, the members assembled at any meeting may elect a President,. pro tem., to act in their stead. ' ARTICLE III. ARTICLE IV. The duty of the Treasurer shall be to take charge of the funds of the Associa- tion, to appropriate the same as directed by the Executive Committee. To keep fair anu regular accounts, subject at all times to investigation by order of the Association, or the Executive Committee, to exhibit the same at the Annual Meeting, together with a statement of the funds in his possession, and shall give sathfactory security, to be approved by the Executive Committee and the Presi- dent, for the faithful performance of his trust. ARTICLE V. The Sanitary Director of this Association shall have power, 1st. To appoint, remove, and direct all Sanitary officers and their subordinate employes, who shall obey and execute his orders, and report all their acts to the Executive Committee through the office of the Medical Director: such appointments, removal, acts and orders shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. 2d. To prescribe and execute measures of inspection and auxiliary precau- tion against the introduction or dissemination of infections or contagious disease. 3d. It shall be his duty to make an estimate of the amount necessary monthly for the payment of the salary and wages of the officers and their subordinates, for the purchase of materials and implements, as also of any extra service or labor, incidentally necessary for performing the duties of inspection. He shall present the bills for such estimate, together with the requisition for the payment thereof, to the Finance Committee, who shall audit such bills and estimates before pay- ment thereof. 4th. To visit all vessels and other vehicles, buildings, or other places in which cases or symptoms of infectious or contagious disease may have manifested themselves, and to adopt such immediate measures not incompatible with the corp rate powers and obligation of this Association, as may be proper to prevent the introduction or arrest the spread of such disease. 5th. To report at least weekly to the Executive Committee the communications he may have received, the business he may have transacted, with such other matters as may in his opinion require the consideration of the committee, with such professional advice as may appear to him pertinent to the object of this Association. 6th. His compensation shall be fixed by the Finance Committee. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. ARTICLE VI. The President, in December of each year, shall appoint an Auditing Committee of three members to examine and report on the Treasurer’s accounts, to be sub- mitted at the Annual Meeting. . The Secretary of the Association shall keep a fair and regular journal of all its proceedings ; present any communications which may be made for its consideration ; read such Records and Reports as may be ordered by the President; give the members a proper notice of all meetings of the Association; shall make out and hand to the Treasurer for collection a statement of all sums of money dne to the Association;, and perform such other duties as may be required of him by the Association or the Executive Committee. His compensation shall be fixed by the Executive Committee. In the absence of the Secretary, the President shall appoint one of the members to officiate in his place for the time being. ARTICLE VII. 13 It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to receive and prepare replies to such communications of a public nature as shall be addressed to the Association and referred to him by the proper officers of the Association. ARTICLE VIII. The following persons are hereby declared to be members of this Association, viz: 1. Stich persons as signed the original charter before its registry in the office of the Recorder of Mortgages for the Parish of Orleans. 2. All such persons as have heretofore signed the original roll of membership now in possession of this Association, and on file among its archives; also all mem- bers of any firm or firms which have heretofore signed said list. 3. All such persons as shall hereafter be elected as members of this Association by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committe at a regular meeting of said com- mittee ; provided, that no application for admission to membership of this Associa- tion shall be voted upon by said committee unless the same shall have been made in writing and posted in the rooms of the Association at least one week1 before said vote. 4. Honorary members may be elected at any meeting of the Executive Com- mittee by a majority vote, but no such honorary member shall be entitled to vote. 5. Any member may resign his membership in this Association by addressing a letter of resignation to the officers and members and filing the same with the Secretary. ARTICLE IX. ARTICLE X. In all meetings of the Association twenty-five members shall form a quorum, but a smaller number shall have power to adjourn. Section 1. The Executive Committee shall report all its transactions to the Association at its annual meetings or oftener, if requirt d by the Association. The meetings of this Committee shall be opeu to all the members of the Associa- tion who may desire to participate in the discussion of measures or subjects pre- sented or advocated by them, but they shall not vote in committee; provided, that any one member of the committee may at aDy time call for executive session, in which event all persons, excepting the members of the committee and the Secretaries of the Association, shall be excluded from the rooms of the committee. Any five members of the committee shall have the right of calling, through its presiding officer, a general meeting of the Association, when in their opinion it migtr be desirable to obtain final action from it upon any matter pending before the committee, and in such case the subject-matter shall be held in abeyance until the Association shall have taken action in the premises. Sec. 2. To consummate and expedite business the Executive Committee shall have power to appoint all necessary sub-c mmittees from the body of members composing the Association and to receive and act upou all reports therefrom, and to fill any vacancy which may occur in the Executive Committee or its Sub-Committees. The absence of any member of the Executive Committee from three consecutive meetings, shall, at the discretion of the Committee, be con- sidered as equivalent to his resignation as a member thereof. ARTICLE XI. ARTICLE XII. The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall appoint the following Stand- ing Committees, who shill take charge of and act upon such matters as may be committed to them by the Executive Committee. STANDING COMMITTEES : Executive Committee. Finance Committee. Committee on Canals and Drainage. Committee on Streets and Levees. Committee on Cattle and Domestic Animals. Committee on Public Grounds, Buildings and Premises. Committee of Conference with City Authorities and Board of Health. Committee on Correspondence with Authorities of other Cities. Committed on Constitution and By^La'ws. 14 ARTICLE XIII. All bills shall be audited and payment ordered by the Finance Committee, and disbursements be made by checks signed by the President, or one of the Vice Presidents, and countersigned by the Treasurer. None of the Rules or By-Laws of the Association shall be rescinded, or altered nor any new ones made, unless by a majority of two-thirds of the members of the Executive Committee present, and after a regular notice given at a previous meeting, of such proposed abrogation, alteration, amendment or additions. ARTICLE XIV. Special meetings of the Association shall be called by the President, at the written request of any twenty-five members. The object of every called meet- ing of the Association shall be specified in the notice given, and no other business shall be entertained or discussed at such meeting except by unanimous consent- Notice of called meetings shall be given ten days in advance thereof, unless, in the opinion of the President, an emergency shall require a meeting at shorter notice. ARTICLE XV. No proposition or motion involving the discussion of party political questions, National or State, shall be eutertained by the presiding officer of the Association, and no member shall be allowed to infringe upon this rule in debate upon any question. It is the determined policy of this Association to preserve its character as a strictly non-political body. ARTICLE XVI. ARTICLE XVII. 1. The stated meetings of this Association shall be held at such hour as may be fixed by vote. 2. Members of Committee, failing to attend when called by the Secretary, shall forfeit and pay to the use of this Association, Five Dollars for each default, unless a satisfactory excuse be made to the Association. 3. At all the meetings of the Association, the Secretary shall enter the names of the members present, on the Minutes ; and shall furnish the Chairmau of each Committee with a copy of the resolution whereby he was appointed. 4. A quorum being present, the President shall take the chair, and, on a call to order, the members shall take their seats and proceed to business, avoiding all private conversation. 5. Every member who speaks shall rise and address the chair. No person shall speak more than twice on the same subject, unless by permission, or by way of explanation. Members deviating from the subject, shall be immediately called to order. fi. All motions shall be made in writing, and be signed by the member making the same ; and no debate shall be permitted except on a motion regularly made and seconded, and stated from the chair. A member, however, shall uot be prevented from prefacing any proposition he may be about to make. 7. Every motion made in writing shall be read by the mover in his place, pre- viously to offering it to the chair. 8. The President shall be the judge of all questions of order, and may call the transgressing members to order as often as tbey shall infringe the rules of the Association; but any member so called to order may fexplain himself, and may appeal to the Association, and if seconded in such appeal, the members present shall decide. 9. No business before the Association shall be interrupted, except by motion for the previous question, postponement or adjournment; and such motion shall preclude amendment or decision of the original subject until such motion shall be disposed of; but the previous question shall not be moved by less than four members. RULES OP ORDER. 15 10. A member may call for the division of a question, when the sense will udmit of it. 11. No member, after appearing in the Association, when in session, shall with- draw (previous to adjournment), without 1 ?ave from the President. 12. There shall be no order for the appropriation and disbursement of money for any object, beyond what may become necessary for the transaction of the ordinary business, under the standing Rules aud By-Laws of the Association. 13. The Secretary shall, at the regular meeting in February, report to the As- sociation the names of all members who have failed to pay their fees or contribu- tions. LIST OF OFFICERS. President: CHAS. A. WHITNEY. Vice- Presidents: CYRUS BUSSEY, GEORGE H. BRAUGHN, JAMES I. DAY, WM C. BLACK, EDWARD FENNER, ADJLPHE SCHREIBER, ALBERT BALDWIN, E. L. CARR I ERE, FREDERICK FISHER, HENRY GINDER, Treasurer. C. B. WHITE, M. D., Sanitary Director. JOHN C. HENDERSON, Recording Secretary. WM. M. BURWELL, Corresponding Secretary. NAMES OF MEMBERS. Chas. A. Whitney, Wm. B. Schmidt, Win. C. Black, S. Hernsheim, Tlios. J. Woodward, A. Baldwin, Edward Fenner, Joseph Bowling, George Horter, F. Wintz, I. H. Stauffer, U. Marinoni, August Hoffman, M. J. Zuutz, Henry J. Leovy, James I. Day, James G. Clark, John Baker, John Wallace, H. Zuberbier, W. P. Freret, Alt'. Moulion, John Phelps, L. C. Jurey, Emory Clapp, A. J. Gomila, Hugh Miller Thompson, Rev. G. Raymond, V. G., Benj. M. Palmer, H. H. Waters, J. B. Walker, W. P. Kramer, John Matthews, T. R. Markham, James K. Gutheim, Tims. L. Macon, Chas. Macready, Henry Gindev, John M G. Parker, W. M. Bur- well, Julius Weis, James Jacl-son, J. H. Oglesby, E. B. Kruttschnitt, Edward Heath, Frederick Camerdeu, Theodore Heilman, Sigmund Katz, A. Ringgold Bronsseau, W. J. Behan, Thomas A. Adams, J. C. Morris, C. Kohn, Louis Grunewald, Geo R. Preston, W. VauBentbuysen, J. B. Woods, J. H. Maginnis, Chas. E. Fenn r John C. Henderson, James Buckner, J. H. Menge, D. L. Ranlett & Co., Morris McGraw, H. R. Gogreve, A. Vizard, C. A. Miltenberger, A. K. Brown, Lloyd R. Coleman, DeBuys & Ogden, T. M. Wescoat, John M. Coos, C. E. Girardey, H. B. Stevens, Adam Thomson, W. C. Raymond, Jas. Clarke, F. Fisher, Sr., P. Simms, S. H. Kennedy, S. B. Newman, Sam’l L. Boyd, H. Buddig, Stone & Tutt, Pierre Lanaux, Ed. Palfrey, W. K. Halsey, E. K. Converse, Silas Weeks, Sam’l Delgado, A. A. Maginnis, Edw. Pilsbury, Edward Toby, John O. McLean, (Algiers), George Glidden, M. D. Lagau, James D. Edwards, Alex. P. Trousdale, (at Menge), J. Born, J. McConnell, Edward Nalle, S. W. Clark, Fred. N. Thayer, E. W. Herrick, Thos. S. Adler, Paul E. Mortimer, B. D. Wood, J. G. Schriever, Jacob Has8inger, E. C. Palmer, Joseph Collins, T. J. McMillan, F. P. Martinez, C. H. Lawrence & Co., Woodward & Wight, H. Mitchell, Wm. Flash, H. J. Hearsey, Carthwright Eustis, J S. Wood, James A. Maxwell, Jos. Simon, Hy. DeVerges, Wm. J. Pattisou, M. W. Smith, Sam. Henderson, I. S. West, Jr., Jas Fnrneaux, Jno. P. Richardson, R. H. Cage, T. Lee Shute, Chas. R. Railey, Geo. H. Braughn, J. C. Miller, Chas. Holloway, Don A. Pardee, J. B. Walton, Stoutemeyer & Judson, Frank A. Bartlett, J. Borland, M. F. Sibilsky, Geo. Foerster, John Frank & Co., 16 W. M. Owen, Joseph McElroy, T. F. Searing, H. Marshall, A. C. Smith, Charles W. Fox, H. L. Flash, R. Lee Sims, H. J. Mullen, Walter Scott, Peter Moran, S. E. Guyot, Laf. Folger, J. W. Dabney, Jules Tuyes, Wm. O. Rogers, M. E. Garvey, Branghn, Buck & Dinkelspiel, H. T. Foote, Geo. W. Cary, Jno. B. Lafitte, R. S. Howard, Wm. Hartwell, John G. Parham, John I. Nobles, A. W. Bosworth, Denegre, Desforges & Co., Alfred T. Baker, Wm. G. Vincent, Germain Vincent, J. B. Cotton, Chas. E. Black. Cbas. G. Johnsen, T. Prudhomme, F. Hollander, P. Thormaehlen, H. P. Buckley, R. K. Howell, Chas. O. Langenbecker, M. D., Louis A. Richards, R. B. Plesants, Chas. W. Howell, U. S. Engineers ; C. G. Fiaher, Arthur F. Wrotnowski, Engineer; E. C. Fenner, James Mackison, Luther Homes, H. C. Minor, Archibald Montgomery, Henry Otis, Maximilian Herrmann, Geo. W. Sentell, Cyrus Bussey, Aug. Bohn, Felix Limet, Numa Dufour, B. J. West, W. R. Lyman, John Wilson, Robt. Buckner, John T. Hardie, Wm. Wright, D. M. Hollingsworth, W. S. Campbell, Edw. I. Kursheedt, Lucius W. Miller, N. B. Raymond, Wm. Bryant, John C. Horter, C. N. Soria, L. C. Arny, T. S. Waterman. But our Association, though iu some respects peculiar, does not claim originality of plan, for precedents are found iu “ a system of mutual sanitary protection, through private combination, and wholly independent of civic control,” which originated with Prof. Fleeining Jenkin, of Edinburgh, and has been put iu operation in that city. A similar association has been organized at Newport, R. I. The Sanitarian, for March, 1879, thus describes their objects and plans: “1. To provide the members, at moderate such advice and supervision as shall insure the proper sanitary condition of their own dwellings “2. To enable members to procure practical advice, on moderate terms, as to the best means of remedying defects in houses of the poorer class iu which they may be interested. “3. To aid iu improving the sanitary condition of the city. “The working plan of the Newport Association is almost identical with that at Edinburgh, save that it has added the inspection of school-houses, churches and other public buildings, the gratuitous reception of complaints of public as well as of private nuisances, and water analysis (quantitative and qualitative). The Association is iu reality a mutual insurance company for the preservation of public and private health, by the detection and pronouncing necessary the removal of all causes detrimental thereto that may exist. An In- specting Eugineer and Water Analyst of the highest standing in their professions are employed; the latter officer is one of the instructors iu chemistry in Harvard University. They are aided, when necessary, by the advice of a Consulting Engineer, who, iu the present instance, possesses more than a national reputation. “The firstviuspectiou does not entail any disturbance to household arrangements. It is followed by a detailed report, making specific recommendations, if any improvements iu the household arrange- ments are thought necessary. The members are not bound to carry out these recommendations. “ The subsequent annual inspection will, so long as the sanitary arrangements remain in working order, entail no expense beyond the annual subscription. 17 “ The following is a formal statement of the privileges of members. The annual inspection spoken of in the second .paragraph will form the main business of the Association. It is believed that no system of drains, or other sanitary appliances, can be depended upon to remain in perfect order without skilled inspection; and this skilled inspection can be cheaply and efficiently provided by the Asso- ciation. “ Each member is entitled to the following privileges in respect of property within the municipality of Newport. “1. An immediate report by the Inspecting Engineer of the Associ- ation on the sanitary condition of one dwelling or property, with specific recommendations, it necessary, as to the improvement of drainage, water supply, and ventilation, and a report upon the water by the Analyst. The cost of precisely similar reports to those fur- nished by the Association to its members would, to private indi- viduals employing the same experts, or others of the same standing in their professions, amo unt to at least four times the sum. “ 2. An annual inspection ot his premises, with a report as to their sanitary condition, “ 3.- Occasional supplementary inspection and advice concerning the dwelling or property in respect of which he is a subscriber. “4. Each member, by his annual payment, secures the above privileges in respect of one dwelling or property occupied or desig- nated by him. Should he be interested in two or more dwellings or properties, as owner or occupant, he may secure equal privileges in respect to them all, by paying the annual subscription in respect of each. u5. A report—to be obtainable on payment of a special fee—on' any dwelling or property, or plaus thereof, which he may wish to hire or purchase. “ 6. Reports by the Officers of the Association as to the sanitary condition*of any dwellings or properties of the very poor, on payment of a moderate fee. “ 7. A report, without fee, upon the sanitary condition of any public building, as church, school house, or place of public resort, within the city of Newport.” “ The principle of sanitary protection appears not only new to our shores in its practical application—an opinion of which I obtained corroboration from Dr. Bowditch, of Boston, while awaiting details from Edinburgh—but it seems to be everywhere needed. Not a city, nor a town, nor village even, in this country certainly, if not in the whole world, which dods not afford abundant field for its labors. And though it is by no means necessary, if indeed advisable, that the working council of such a body should be wholly composed of medi- cal men, the services of one or more of the profession will be always indispensable; and besides, sewage poisoning invades onr own homes as quickly and as frequently as those of our patients. Not one of us can afford to stand aloof, for with every one it is merely a 18 question of self-defence, and of obtaining for a nominal sum expert service of the most efficient character that would otherwise cost a great deal of money. It is no common thing for householders, even when they are physicians, to be sure that their own premises are safe. They have made personal inspection, they say, or they have employed competent masons and plumbers at large expense; there can there- fore be nothing wrong. When sickness conies, the medical attend- ant prescribes another search, below grouud this time as well as above it; and it is discovered that the drinking water is polluted by sewage, or that a soil pipe has been broken, corroded, or guawn by rats, or that a bit of mortar has been disloged from a drain by frost, or that a sewer trap or ventilating outlet was somewhere forgotten to be inserted, or has become in some way clogged. The possibilities of disease and of death that may, and actually do, thus exist are simply innumerable. “And here a word may be useful, as to how best to convince per- sons unfamiliar with sanitary facts and necessities that iu their own personal localities there is any need of sanitary protection. That every life prematurely or unnecessarily lost through tilth poison, every health permanently or even but temporarily destroyed, means just so much mouey lost to the community as was represented by that person’s productive power, is beginning to be understood. But far beyond and more forcible than this reasoning is the undeniable fact that every siugle death over and above the necessary percentage of mortality caused by accident, non-preveutable disease, and old age, means one less chance for the longer survival of each and every in- dividual. Such argument as this strikes home to a thoughtful mind. The general necessity of sanitary protection may, however, be granted, and yet doubt remain as to its local immediate need. To prove this, there is perhaps no more convincing, just, or reliable method than by comparison, especially if with some well known poiut that is very near at hand.” It will be observed that the systems in operation at Edinburgh and Newport are quite independent of civil authority, and they may properly serve as models to communities not under the jurisdiction of Boards of Health. Those like our own, having such authorities iu successful operation, may imitate our example by furnishing material aid and moral support, which will be of inestimable ‘advantage in time of peril or in event of deficient or depleted resources. Whatever may be the natural advantages of any city or tosvn in our Mississippi valley for commerce or for manufactures, it can not successfully compete with rivals when overburdened with the preva- lence of preventable diseases. Among these are reckoned nearly all diseases of an epidemic character, which are £he ones most dreaded when absent and most alarming when present. Yet we have a train of maladies, ever present and far more destructive to health and life, due to paludal miasms. These are quite as preventable as epidemic diseases, and from their extent are more deserviug of the attention of sanitarians. There is hardly a community in our great valley, rural or urban, except those remote from water courses, whose mortality is not swelled by malarial diseases; but by thorough drainage of the soil these miasms disappear. 19 “ What may actually be accomplished by public works in favor ot the health of a community is exhibited by the following table, illus- trating the benefits which followed the introduction of efficient works for sewerage aud water supply in certaiu towns in Great Britain’ This is quoted from the report of the State Board of Health of Mas- sachusetts for 1875. Warwick s? ■? 1 S3 = 5 r . 3- 3* ? c * 2 55 ? » §5 £ Leicester Croydon Dover Elv Cardiff' 3J a 3 1 <1 NAME OF PLACE. H-> ei tn tc 05 1C CO Oi (-* tc *3 acMwcKio "cp o'od'm"Vi V *©"goT-* 1c 'co'to ooceaoDcnovixx^QD Population in 1801. tOKh*MMM|4lO(CKiMlO (OM(OHM®aWf5WMW <» cn 'r- ao to cx iu «c bs k» Average Mortal- ity per 1 000 be- fore Construc- tion of Works. i Average Mortal to to ►— to to -• to to itv per 1,000 MHODHO'.wtnooatic | , * o tc o. 05 to C CO Kf- Uf- *4- Saving of Life, per cent. 0'^lH-Oi05rfi.J».010J05rf».4». too'ooioa'a&ososwoao Reduction of Typhoid Fever, rate per cent. h-*4^.£-.C0»—‘CCCO^tC'l—1*—‘4^ c w ic h m j; •> o m h Reduction in rate of PhthisisTper cent. Although it is generally fouud that the death rate of cities and towns is greater than that of the rural districts, it is not necessarily so. Density of population need not be accompanied with shortening of life and high mortality, as is shown by the history of London From 1746 to 1755 its population was 653,000, and its rate of mortal- ity 35 per 1000. One century later its population had increased to 2,360,000, but the mortality had fallen to 25 in 10