New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-09-04
QUARANTINE.

! The power Of restricting intercourse be-
tween points of a common country is very
important, and should be exercised with
the greatest caution, when danger may be
reasonably appreherled from the spread
| Of infectious disease. It is true, the wide
range Of our own country embraces
marked difference in climate, etc, yet
this does not extend beyond what is to be
found in the frigid and temperate zones.
| And the difference is not characterized by
| either extreme heat Or extreme cold,
| yet still there is a very perez ptible differ
| ence between the climate of New York
and Boston and New Orleans and Gal
| yeston-a sufficient difference, it is sup
posed by some, to make yellow fever Pc
culiar to the latter cities, while to the
former it is contended it is unknown, ex-
cept when conveyed tSlre by persons in
fected with the disease. Admitting this
to be the case, there would be some
reason for New York and Boston
making proclamation Of quarantine against
New Orleans and Galveston at this season
of the year on account Of supposed dam
ger from infectious disease. Butt lit will puz-
zle an honest man to see the justice, for the
same cause, ola prohibition Of intercourse
between the citizens Of Galveston and
New Orleans points that are located with
in a few hours travel Of each other, with
populations existing in the same climate.
and subjected alike to diseases peculiar to
it.
Under these circumstances it is but rea-
sonable to suppose the power Of prohibit
ing intercourse between New Orleans and
Galveston has been used for other than
legitimate purposes OF quarantine. This
great power, which should be vested only
il the highest authority and used with the
greatest discretion, is often intrusted to
persons who, either from ignorance or
mercenary motives, shamefully abuse it.
In Galveston this authority is delegated to
an irresponsible subordinate known, We
believe, as the health officer of that port
A DR.. Peete has held this position for the
last few years, and has managed from
some cause foreign to the objects Of an
honest quarantine, to use his authority to
the detriment of the great body of the peo-
pie of Texas and Louisiana. Many be
lieve be has abused his authority to ad-
vance the interest of a certain ''ring" of !
business men in Galveston, who wish to
make profitable market for their goods,
by closing their port against supplies from
New Orleans. And when We recollect |
that this has been done for two successive
seasons, remarks'ole for health in our city, |
and at a time, too when the business sea-
son is Just about to commence, there is |
much more reason for this belief than the |
conviction that New Orleans is really an
infected place.
The abuse Of power On the part
of persons dressed in little brief
authority should certainly have a
speedy end. And if that end can
not be reached through State author
ity We see no reason why the people should
not seek redress through their national
in Congress assembled.
The action taken recently by the Chamber
of Commerce Of this city on this subject
is appropriate and timely. The inter-
course Of the people and trade of this
country should not be subjected to the
selfish projects OF local rings organized
for selfish purposes and if State authority
is not sufficient to overcome the evil there
is certainly sufficient poworin the national
government to regulate the question of
free trade-among the
people of the different States of the Union.
We say this We know at the risk of being
accused by some of our 'oldest and best
Of being in favor of a centralized govern
nent. But we care not for this if thereby
the manifest evils of local government can
be remedied.
|