The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-26
THE QUARANTINE Law.

There are now pending before Congress two
bills having In view the protection Of the sea-
ports Of the country, by proper quarantine
regulations, against the introduction OF yell
low fever and other epidemic diseases. OF
one Of the bills, introduced by Mr.. Hartridge,
Of Georgia, and doubtless instigated by con-
vention recently assembled at Jacksonville
for the purpose Of devising system of quar-
antine for the whole Southern seaboard we
know nothing. From what we can gather
from the meagre dispatches, we infer that it
is proposed under the bill that the United
States shall take control of the matter, es-
tablish q general quarantine and collect
whatever duties 1t may be deemed necessary
to impose on vessels entering at the various
ports.
The other bill, which was drawn up at the
instigation Of the New Orleans Board OF
Health and presented by Mr.. Eustis, proposes
to leave the entire control of the matter to
the local authorities, and to assist them in
enforcing whatever regulations they may
adopt, by formally authorizing the States to
impose tonnage duty on all vessels entering
our ports from infected countries. This, it ap-
pears to us, Is all that Is necessary, and will
result in quarantine much more efficient
than any that could be maintained under
Federal supervision. Such an authorization
from Congress Is necessary to make
the law effective, and in view OF the
existence already Of yellow fever at
several Of the West India and Brazilian
ports, it Is of the utmost Importance that it be
given at the earliest date. The constitution
of the United States expressly declares that
mo State shall, without the consent of Con-
gress, lay any duty of tonnage" and upon
this ground the quarantine charges at this
port have been resisted in number Of in
stances, and the enforcement OF them will
have to be abandoned entirely If the consent
of Congress is not formally given to the State
to impose them.
It appears that the impression existed
among the members Of the Board OF Health
that this could have been. remeded by
changing the phraseology OF the law Of the
State, which imposes these charges in the
shape Of tonnage tax. The Legislature
however, failed, and, we think, most culpa-
bly,, to pass the legislation asked for by the
Board Of Health. But, in any event. it Is
better to have the formal authorization of
necessary to defray the expenses of such
quarantine establishments as are necessary
to the protection Of the public health, and
then there can be no ques Ion about the mat
ter. We see no reason why it should not be
granted. and there is every reason why the
quarantine should be under local control In
another column will be found very interest
ing report Of an interview with DR.. Chopin,
the president of the Board Of HEALTH upon
this subject.
The medical authorities here are very con-
fident Of their ability to establish most rigid
and efficient quarantine under the provisions
Of Mr. Eustis' bill, and express themselves
sanguine Of protecting this city against any
risk OF an epidemic. In times past we know
that the origin Of yellow fever here has been
a disputed question, but we believe now that
it Is very generally conceded that 1t does not
originate here, and perfect immunity from its
ravages may be secured by the proper pre-
cautions. At least, it Is very safe to act upon
that assumption, and Mr. Eustis' bill will re-
move the only obstacle In the way Of enforc
ing rigid quarantine