Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-09-26

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zen, because the constitution, article
IA, provides that the " citizens of each
State shall be entitled to all the privi-
leges and immunities ofcitizens in the
several States" +" And if, as is con-
tended, this rule is allowed By the
State board act Of 1879, section 2,
then another provision of the eonsti-
tuition, which says that no State shall
make or eRforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities
Of citizens of the United States.
These propositions seem to my mind
perfectly clear, and if | am right the
order is a mere nullity.
But | am entirely satisfied that the
legislature never intended to give to
the State board the power to make
any such order. Carefully reading
the act of 1879, it will be seen that
the power of the State board is strict
ly limited to disinfection. 1t may dis
infect passengers, baggage, cargoes,
ETC., etc., but this is to be done with
the least Inconvenience to travel and
commerce. The board can disinfect,
but they cannot prevent the entry.
The act gives full power to the State
board for this purpose and no other.
AS before stated there is no pretence
that eotton--lint and seed-is infect
ed, and therefore this provision of the
law does not apply. But if it did Ito
suppose which is an absurdity) it--the
cotton would have to be disinfected,
and then after a certain number Of
days be permitted to enter. But why
disinfect a thing which is not infected
And the State board makes the matter
still palmer when it speaks of such
articles or things as carry the germs Of
the disease. They are to be disin-
fected nothing else.
1t is therefore plain that the order
was passed when panic or something
akin to it was on the board. 1t is a
mere experimental order. 1t pro-
ceeds upon the idea that the spores
may get into the cotton when it ar
rives in Memphis. But while not
conceding this, thing of pure suppo-
sition, this cotton could be disinfvct-
ed before shipment, and no harm be
done. No one, however, before the
| present board, ever heard Of the dis
3ease being SO communicated, No
buyer Of cotton in New England or
Europe has ever complained of any
disease or sickness resulting from the
opening of cotton bought in yellow
fever port. While few great men in
medicine have held to very different
theory, no names Of men of any emf
nence in the profession can be brought
forward to sustain or make good this
supposition. Memphis must not be
destroyed by having a quarantine belt
put around her, bearing fastening
and seal. and inscribed with the name
of John johnson, superintendent Of
quarantine Other towns in the back
country are fourishing Bartlett,
Collierville, Nashville, Louisville
all but her. The women of Judea' sat
by the waters of Babylon and wept
and bewailed the fate of their natior,
many of whom were widows who had
lost husband and sons in battle. Be
hold the great widow of modern times,
our Memphis, as she sits by the quiet
waters of the Mississippi, clad in the
weeds Of mourning, and agonized at
the sight of her many sons and daugh-
ters as they die upon her bosom, at
her feet and all around her. In her
desolation, if she has not all the sym
pathy she is entitled to, she at least
demands her rights.
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