The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-27
WASHINGTON.
The Federal Government and State
Quarantines.
The Treasury Department Decides
That All United States Officials
Have to Obey Strictly State
Health Laws.


Of the Treasury Hawley, in reference to the
powers and duty Of the Treasury Department
In matters connected with quarantine, copy
Of the following letter is furnished to the press,
and expresses the views of the Treasury
Department upon the subjects embraced
WASHINGTON, April 80, 1879.
Hon VIM. M. Evarts. Secretary of State:
Sr-Careful consideration has been given
to your note Of April 2j. addressed to the Sec
retary OF the Treasury, in which you state
Minister have each called your attention toa
recent proclamation OF Gov. Nichols, OF Lou
istana, establishing quarantine affecting
the most extensive commerce and ap-
scfiption Of the same. You inclose q copy Of
the said proclamation. / am compelled to the
conclusion that the right OF the States to es-
tablish quarantine and health laws has
always been fully recognized by Congress, and
States are made subordinate to the State
authorities in such matters. Indeed, section
4792 OF the Revised Statutes expressly pro-
vdes that quarantine and other restraints,
established by the health laws of any State,
to any port or district thereof, shall be duly
observed by the officers of the customs rev.
enne OF the United States, by masters and
crews, the several revenue cutters and the
"
station upon the sea coast, and ell such Off
GERS OF the United States shall faithfully aid
III the execution OF such quarantines and
health laws, according to their respective
powers, within their respective precincts and
us they shall be directed, from time to time,
by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
| transmit herewith copy of {, letter from
Assistant Secretary French to Secretary
Sherman, containing references to the au--
thorities upon this point Although 1t would
~ tal lnft
has assumed powers with reference to the
establishing Of quarantine regulations which
have not been before exercised, yet no new
power has been conferred upon the Secretary
Of the Treasury to interfere with the execu-
tion Of State regulations, such as are estab-
lished under the proclamation.
Under the proclamation Of Gov. Nichols,
this department fully sympathizes with the
embarrassments OF Importers and owners OF
vessels affected by that proclamation and is
conferred on 1T by title 58 OF the Revised
Statutes for their relief. The proclamation Of
Gov. Nichols established q quarantine
throughout the State Of Louisiana, and this
New Orleans. Under section 4794 Of these
statutes, suitable warehouses, wharves and
Enclosures where merchandise may be un-
loaded and deposited from any ves-
quarantine, have already been constructed at
the quarantine station at New Orleans. On
the twenty-iifth instant the Collector OF Gus
toms at New Orleans was authorized, while
the present quarantine Is In force, to allow
the unloading of vessels arriving within the
district at the quarantine station and to meet
the entry and clearance of such vessels ut the
place where, ia his opinion, it may be neces-
sary and proper. Officers have been desig
mated to perform this service, Ii any proper
measures for the relief of those parties who
are interested III the commerce of New Or
leans can be suggested, this department will
give them respectful consideration. Very re-
speatfully, JOHN b. HAWLEY,
Acting Secretary.
The above letter stands also as an answer
In full as to what the general government can
do toward furnishing relief to general COM
merce against the quarantine ct the port Of
Galveston.
Assistant Secretary Hawley says that he
has no information from the customs officers
at Galveston going to show that they are In
any way interfered with in the discharge OF
their duty to the general government.
THE TENTS FOR THE MEMPHIS REFUGEES.
Replying to a telegram from the mayor OF
st. Louis asking for tents to shelter refugees
from Memphis, the Secretary of War says
nate tents, and is not willing to act without
such authority unless In case OF an emer-
gency that cannot be relieved in any other
way.
THE RIFLE MATCH.
In rifle contest here this evening for the
Columbia medal, by members Of the Column
bia Rifle Club, Col. Burnside was the VICTOR
making the remarkable score Of 218 out OF q
possible 225 over 800. 900 and 1000 yard
ranges. The weather was wet and unfavora-
BILE for shooting.