452* [Assembly 



place or premises, within a reasonable time; in default of a compli- 

 ance with such order, it shall be the duty of the health inspector to 

 cause such place to be purified and cleansed forthwith, and all the 

 costs to be assessed upon the property so cleansed, and in addition 

 thereto, a fine of fifty dollars. 



3d. Should any owner, lessee, or other person feel aggrieved by 

 the action of the health inspector or city inspector, appeal may be 

 made to the mayor, or board of health, (sufficient time being allowed 

 for the purpose,) who may reverse or confirm the decision of the city 

 inspector. 



The power possessed by the city inspector, or his assistants, is 

 already sufficient for the general purposes of this proposition, such as 

 entering and inspecting any premises, yard or dwelling, &c. But the 

 essential points require some addition to the law, and I believe they 

 are all embraced in the alove proposed provision. 



Can there be a doubt that such sanitary provisions, if well and dis- 

 creetly carried out, would have the happiest effect upon the condition 

 of large numbers of the poor of this city, and that they would pre- 

 vent much of the devastation of health and life now made among 

 them, by the manner in which they are compelled to pass their days 

 by the negligent and unfeeling landlord? 



The effect of such a law upon the habits of the tenant would not 

 be direct — his personal condition can only be reached by the moral 

 law — but the landlord, under this compulsory process, urged by the 

 fear of having his premises outlawed would, in letting them, stipulate 

 with his tenants to keep them clean, to whitewash the walls and ceil- 

 ings, wash the floors, remove the collections of dirt and garbage, and 

 keep the yard and cellars in good order. And knowing that the health 

 officer will pay them frequent visits, armed with the power of the 

 law, it is altogether reasonable to suppose that the tenants themselves 

 would be stimulated to matntain a better appearance of persons and 

 domicils — that many would feel a pride in a good and cleanly as- 

 pect — that the smothered feelings of self-respect, love of praise, and 

 desire for the comforts of cleanliness, would, in hundreds of bosoms, 

 be reawakend into life and energy. 



Much of the good effect which might flow from the application of 

 such a law, would depend upon the character and manner of the in- 

 dividuals appointed to enforce it. The exhibition of a regard for 



