The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-17
The Governments Duty in Florida.

The Governments Duty in Florida.
There are two matters connected with the
epidemic to which the Jacksonville author
titles are now giving their attention, and
they are both very important. One OF
them relates to those who fed from the city
when the presence of yellow fever was an
nounced. and the ether relates to the de-
struction of infected bedding and clothing.
/ IF the refugees are permitted 10 return be-
/ fore it is reasonably safe to do so, the fever,
having new material to feed upon. may
linger throughout the winter, and if the in
fected bedding is no destroyed, 1T may
cause another epidemic rext summer.
The refugees can be kept out OF the city,
and the probability is that they will be,
until permission is given them to return to
their homes. Some OF them seem de ter
mined to return, not withs:andlEg the regu-
lation barring them out, but the few who
succeed in passing the Gordon will be dis
covered quickly, aud dealt with in such a
way as to deter others from following their
example. All OF these refugees left the city
of their own free will. They have escaped
the troubles, trials and horrors Of the cpl
Gemlc, ard It would be unjust to those who
remained and fought the fever, for refu
gees to pursue u course that might prolong
the epidemic for months.
The question OF destroying the bedding
and clothing IN infected houses is one that
presents difficulties. Surgeon General
Hamilton says that all such bedding and
clothing must be destroyed and announces
that the government will make good any
To- SEES which poor people may suffer on ac-
count of this sanitary regulation. He also
advises the jacksonville authorities TO make
the concealment Of Infected articles mis-
demeanor punishable by heavy fine.
1t is evident that if the government does
not pay for all articles destroyed the de
struction of infected bedding and clothing
will be a mere farce, because more articles
will he concealed than destroyed. 1t viii
be imp ,ssible to find out what articles have
been exposed to infection unless the people
voluntarily give the information and this,
in many, perhaps the majority, of instances,
they will not do. Besides, who is to draw
the line between those who shall be paid for
their property and those who shall bear
their own losses. Who can point out the
poor or say who are the rich. AS soon as
an attempt should be made to destroy
private property without compensating the
owners for it, there would be trouble
The purpose of destroying infected bed
ding and clothing is to prevent an epidemic
next summer. Jacksonville is not alone in
terested in this matter. The whole state of
Florida in fact, the whole country. is in
terested in it, because an epidemic, to a GER
tain extent. Injuries the whole country. Con-
gress appropriated 100000 to be used in
checking the epidemic, aud the whole of
this money, if necessary, should he used in
stamping out the diseaee.
Surgeon General Hamilton will soon va
cate his present position, but before he goes
he can do no greater service to the country
than to use his influence in having the gov
ernment pay for all infected articles that
it may be decided to destroy in Florida.