The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-28
A QUARANTINE QUARREL.
DIR. Writ Johnston, OF the Mississippi
Board Of Health, speaks.

Special DiTra,ch 10 The Appeal
JACKSON, Miss Aug. 27.-The Meridian
Nors, Of the 10Th inst, makes vigorous
editorial attack on the executive commit
tee Of the Mississippi State boarl Of health
relative to the present quarantine OF the
State, charging them with "lack OF back
bone" and weakening under the in
flucncc OF the railroad managers, etc"
DR.. Writ Johnson, secretary OF the board,
in answer 10 said unjust structures and crit
icsm has sent tie following communica.
ton 10 the N,gG
JACKSON. Miss, Aug. a. ISIS
To the Editor Of the Meridian Daily News
My attention has been called 10 an arli.
Gle In your paper Of the Doth inst,
headed Lack OF Backbone" which Re-
fleets upon the executive committee of
the State board u health. aud believing
you do not wish 10 DO us an injustice,
will ask space IN your paper 90 reply. In
the intervals OF the sessions OF the board
It's powers are by law vested In an cxccu.
tive committee, and rs there has becn no
meeting Of the board, this committee OF.
dercd the present quarantine and adopted
rules for It's government When the rules
were adopted the question Of requiring
health certificates from all persons enter.
ing the State was considered. but II was
thought TO he unnecessary, ami I'm.
practicable under existing circumstances,
aud that Il would be great
hardship 10 the public. Therefore no
such rule was adopted by this executive
committee. A rule was adopted 10 the
effect that no person will be permitted
20 enter the state unless the quarantine
officer u satisfied that they are not IRON
an infected locality" aud the quarantine
officers were instructed TO use their own
discretion IN excluding persons.
This course, u was believed, would give
security, rs the danger did not seem 20 M
TO b. great, aud our quarantine officers
are gentlemen Of good Judgment and dis.
crcton. IL Is true DR.. Blanks was rc-
qucstcd 10 supervise the stations on
the railroads entering Meridian, but
Il was not intended 10 confer on
him the power 10 make additional
rules, aud II was only desired that he
should supervise the operation Of the sta
tons under the rules adopted by rs aud
approved by the Governor, as Is required
by law. I know DR.. Blanks did not mean
10 ANWlnt NlN nNlNNlllN uNN fuultfftl
on him. and that hc misunderstood our ~
quest, and am satisfied. acted In accord.
amer with what he believed 10 be hi5
dnty and 30 the interest OF the people Of
the state. Now, ~ tho executive commit.
tee has never issued any order requiring
health certificates, agd dil not intend 20
10 80 under tho circumstances, and
as We did not intend 20 delegate
our power 10 make rules, and don't
know that We have any authority 10 10
90. II Is only fair 20 say wo shave weak.
cncd under the influence Of the railroad
managers, and went back on DR. Blanks
order after giving him power 10 enforce ~
or, IN other words, that We have ruceded
from position which WIS never taken by
Us, when two gentlemen Of this city came
e. mo with kilograms irom railroad OH.
cials in regard TO our requiring certificates
OF all persons entering the state. was
ignorant of such an order, aud informed
them that V was mistake, and no such
rule had been adopted by ~.
Dr. Buchanan, quarantine officer on the