New-York tribune., 1879-03-03
MONDAY MARCH B. 1879

Senators and Representatives came 10 Washington
last December under the strongest instructions
from their constituents press this subject on the
attention Of Congress in season and out Of season.
TO secure necessary legislation.
The Republicans met them more than half way
in their desire 10 protect the South from arepeutioh
OF the scourge so that, although the Senate has
Republican majority the committee on this SUBJECT
was made up of four Southern Democrats, har-
liz, Lamar, Garland and Eustls, and three
Republicans, with Southern State Rights Demo
crat, Harris, Of Tennessee, as chairman. one
Of the members Of this committee, Sen
ator Lamar, said at the beginning of
the session that he considered this subject
the most important To the South that could
be brought before Congress for its action at this
session and he has been especially active IN per-
fecting the measure unanimously adopted by the
committee. The Senate passed it almost without
division.
When the bill was reported 70 the House yester-
dav bv Representative Casey Young, il was found
that the bill. which had been prepared with the
greatest care. after long and thorough study
and to which the eminent advocates OF
tie State Rights doctrine IN the Senate
had found no objection, was 10 be replaced
by d substitute prepared by the House Committee
The difference between the Senate bill and the
% say the execution of the former would,
and Of the latter would not prevcn;
the Introduction into the country OF
infectious diseases. The former established
a Federal quarantine AZ the distance Of marine
league from the shore but did not propose TO inter-
l.re iu any way with state or municipal quarantine
regulations. fan infected vessel should succeed
IN cuding the vigilance of the Federal quarantine
officials she would still he subject 10 local
quarantine regulations. Tie House substitute
provided only hat In case state should hnd t-tu
unable 90 keep out pe~ti!ence, the General UoFeIh-
ucut might. on the application Of the STATE EA-
cCrIvc utcrposc and exercise its authority. III
word IL made the Federal subordinate 70
the state authority and placed 1t IN
position where II could of lis own motion take no
efficient action. The same considerations which
now make the quarantine Of Southern ports III
effective would operate 70 prevent the state author
ties from calling ou the Federal Government for
assistance until the epidemic had been introduced
SO tar as the conflict of political ideas IN the
House was concerned the Republicans, under tLe
lead of General Garfield, who advocated the Senate
bill. Lad an evident advantage, backed as they
were by the STATE Rights Democrats Of the
senate; and they were perfectly Justified IN
insisting on the Senate bill, which was
also approved by Representatives Young, Chalmers
and other Southern Democrats IN the House After
% ugaud animated discussion, the Bonrbons' under
the lead of Goode of Virginia. and Hooker. Of Mis-
s.slnn- forced vote on the senate bill a. amended
by the House. and il defeated by n majority OF
Is. NJ. Young entered n motion TO reconsider TINS
vote. an the House took recess.
During the recess those Southern members who
appreciate the necessity Of some legislation went
TO General Garfield and other Republicans and ap-
pealed ~ them t. support the notion 70 reconsider,
promising that they would stand by the Er-
puDlcaus and get back 10 the senate b!il
and pass il. The Republicans agreed 10 this
Arrangement and carried 1t out in good faith,
and with the help OF portion OF the Democrats
carried the motion 10 reconsider. lhls
brought the Senate bill amended by
the House substitute again before the House Gen
cral Gsrhcld then Appealed TO the Democratic mem
bers to carry out their part Of the agreement
by moving reconsideration Of the vote 10y which
the substitute had passed the House so a. Co reach
the Senate bill. Though protesting to favor the,
tnev hestated aud finally overcome by tie pressure
Of the Bourbous. they failed 10 carry out their
Representative Philips. of Kansas. moved re-
u-IdtriIuu but h- night to Up ihI- Wi- violently
/ di-pltrd bv thc Democrats. lie frHcdi"dIN dr-
clared and ni- declaration war sustained hF hait
dozen members VINO sat near h4' that
/ be had Votod for the House substitute,
! bar his right Nas denied Representative Harris,
of Virginia. whose right could not be denied, then
/ moved a reconsideration. Then began scheme OF
Democratic bul.d0Ziu- Of Democrat and trying
/ 10 DuliuOZr Republicans tuat Gis not often been
! Witnessed DAB the House ut Representatives..
An thc MIDST Of the uprOar and alter an hour had
been wasted. General Ntrhrld ai last made himself
heard. and sand that the Republicans mad M good
tatn tired to carry out tucIr agreement and pass the
bill which all OF them Ielt Was necessary tor b. pro-
e,lou ol the south bus that further efforts II that
direction would bee useless, although 10 vas appIT-
mt that the Senate bill could pass II dlNested OF
"a U-rff ff he .rTp al a 1.
tine whole subject Oh the table, and the motion
was adopted by a vote 0i 10 10 go.