City Council Delays Naming a Health Officer

The new City Council has elected all the municipal officers designated in our City Charter with the exception of a health officer. Their delay in selecting some competent physician to fill such office is not owing to any oversight or indifference on their part, but as we are informed, to the impression that it is really the duty of the County Commissioners—as the county is responsible for the care of the indigent sick—to employ someone to act in that capacity, especially when we are threatened with any contagion. This is a great mistake on their part. An examination of the act defining the duty of the Commissioners will show that they are not empowered to do anything of the kind. By reference to our charter, the Council will find that they are authorized to make regulations to prevent the introduction of contagious diseases into this city, and to provide ample hospitals for the reception of such persons as may be removed for such cause. Their delay in electing such an officer is unwarrantable and inexcusable in view of the wide-spread contagion which threatens us, and which is now prevailing to an alarming extent along the Pacific coast.