The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-08-28
State LaWs.-PubIfc HeaIth.s
PIaGue-SInitlen and Starvs
ing Comm mniGies.

Many minds are now engrossed with
the subject of the passage of general
sanitary law by Congress. That tireless
author and agent Of public opinion, the
press, is busy at work upon it. The fact
seems to be overlooked that the present
United States laws direct the United
States authorities to observe the health
laws established by any State and to Co
operate with the State authorities in
their enforcement. The suggestion that
the protection of the public health should
be RENTED to the United States govern
ment, originates in the too prevalent idea
that the general government should ex
ercise unlimited control in all matters
appertaining to the domestic as well as
foreign affairs Of the people. The power
to provide laws to protect the public
health is not expressed in the Constitu-
ton, nor can it be obtained by implica-
ton. 1t is not necessary" to carry out
any of the declared powers Of the gov
eminent. Our opinion is that it would
be wise to leave the treatment of the
question to the States, to which all pow
ers not conferred upon the government
rightfully belong. They have plenary
authority to adopt the most stringent
measures, and it is not to be supposed
that they are not fully capable of exer-
cising it. We assume them to be the
most capable for the obvious reason
that every locality is presumed TO be bet
ter acquainted with its condition and re-
quirements, and better calculated to deal
with them than outside or foreign parties.
What is wanted is intelligent State legis-
lation theoretically administered Our
own State took a step in the right direc-
ton when it established the State Board
Of Health. The wisdom of that measure is
now seen and admitted by every one, and
Messrs. .Hoyle, of Lee, Carter, of
Holmes, Hall Of Sharkey, McSwine, of
Grenada, and other leading and earnest
advocates Of the measure, will have rea-
son to see in the present severe and
alarming visitation of the pestilence,
ample reason to be confirmed in the wis
dom of their course. 1t is only to be
regretted that the measure was adopted
in spirit so niggardly and parsimoni-
Gus as to hamper the Health authorities
in the performance of their mission
For example, the pestilence is raging
with the fury of a simeon. Whole
communities are suffering the horrors of
fever, and perishing for the want
Of food, and the authorities and
people of other States and commu-
mites are implored for help. Private in
dividuals, out of their own resources,
great or small as the case may be, are
doing what they are able, and yet the
State of Mississippi with large sum of
money lying idlein her treasury, is actually
doing nothing for her own sick and suf-
tering and dying! 1t is a sad and
shameful spectacle which the fact pre-
sents, and yet it is truth. The over
flowing treasury of Mississippi is locked
against the plague smitten and starving
people of the State. When the State
Board of Health was created, a suffi-
cient snm ought to have been placed at
its disposal to meet such terrible emer-
gencies as are now upon US. In time of
need the suffering people of the State
who contribute to the treasury, would
have then realized what a blessing in
deed it is to have a well-ordered, intelli-
gent State government with ideas COM
prehenslve and philanthrophic enough to
understand and provide for their wants
The United States authorities have or
dered supplies of bacon, beans, meal,
flour, etc, for the starving at Grenada,
and tents for the houseless at Vicks,
burg, beyond the region of the pesti-
lence, and while all this is going on, our
own State is doing nothing. 1t is deaf
as a post to cries that should move the
very stones to tears, if not ''to mutiny."
Hon. H. NJ. Street, quick to compre-
bend the situation, has submitted prop
osition for providing present relief, but
we are not apprised what action the
Governor will deem it advisable to take.