The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-11
QUARANTINE MATTERS.
The Result of n Reporters Trip Among
our Merchants.

Eor IA nurpose Of ascertaining what, II any.
sa,ndat,on there was for the wholesale asser-
t,on ~ the opponents of the existing quaran-
tine regulations. TINT they were running the
entire business and trade of this city and
ruere therefore generally condemned by the
business community. reporter OF the DEMO-
GRAFT was detailed to see number OF the lead
ing merchants of this city. In the principal
lines of trade, and obtain from them their views
al 10 the effects of quarantine, as 1t now exists,
on the commercial prosperity OF this port.
The heads of some Of the largest firms In the
cotton, wholesale grocery, boots and shoes, dry
goods. hats. fancy goods and notions. whole
sale clothing produce. feed, hardware bagging
and ties machinery. and other important lines
81 business. we're seen and their views solicited
and obtained. However q large majority OF
the gentlemen who were called upon. while not
hesitatlng to define their position, objected to
the publication OF their views over their names.
as they we're averse to any further agitation OF
the matter by the press or by individuals. They
expressed themselves In this connection as be-
lieving that the continued discussion Of quar-
antine kept alive the apprehension and excite
ment of the people throughout the country In
regard to yellow fever. and was doing 1nealcu-
' The number OF gentlemen who authorized
the reporter to use their names In connection
S.WA
compared to the total seen. and as their views
were but reflex Of the prevailing sentiment
as ascertained by the reporter. the general re-
suit alone of the visits paid Is given without
particularizatton
and trade of this city. Some few commercial
enterprises and ventures would of course suf-
fer and under existing regulations might be
irreparaby injured. but the value of these to
New Orleans and the amount OF capital Invest
ed was decidedly small. even insignificant,
gave the city Its commercial Importance, and
which was dependent on dealings with the
interior and surrounding cities and States for
Its sustenance and actual life.
The effect of quarantine at the mouth OF the
river was to inspire confidence In the country
aptine against this city. The country people
believed In the efficacy of quarantine. and they
did not consider the fever Indigenous here
but were convinced that Its visitation was que
entirely to the carelessnass Of our people In
permitting infected ships to come to our
wharves.. and the moment they understood that
all vessels. without regard to whence they
came, were allowed to come to the city
without being subjected to quarantine regula-
tions, that moment they would establish an
embargo against Now Orleans. and the general
business of the city. on which its commercial
prosperity was dependent. would be embar-
COED.
There was but one sentiment as regards the
absolute necessity of an efficient quarantine at
the mouth of the river. but there was a great
and wide diversity of opinion as to what regua-
tons we're necessary to be liberal and at the
same time make quarantine effective. 1t was
generally declared however. that any efficient
quarantine although It nigh be- subject to and
merit adverse criticism. was infinitely better
than none,