The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-19
FLORIDA'S FEVER LAW.
A FIGHT OVER TIE POLICY OF
ANNOUNCING FIRST CASES.

An Attempt to Make 1t Unlawful to
Proclaim Infectious Diseases Until
the Proposed State Health Officer
Has Made an Examination-The out
look for an Agreement.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, Feb. lS.-Another
day has been spent by the legislature with
out reaching an agreement as to certain
provisions contained in the bill creating
state board Of health. The Senate t1-day
considered the House amendments to
the Senate health bill, and re-
fused to concur in the most important
changes proposed by the House. Among
them was one to reduce the salary Of the
health officer to $40 per day. The greatest
difference exists now over section O. re-
lasing TO penalties for reporting cases Of
contagious diseases before examination by
the state health officer.
OBJECT OF THE PROVISION.
Bv this it is sought to prevent panics
upon the report of cases by keeping matters
secret until examination by the health
officer. so as to avoid false alarms and the
panics consequent thereto. On the other
hand it is desired to allow physicians upon
discovering the presence of dangerous dis
eases, to warn the people to leave before the
disease seizes them, or quarantine is estab-
lished against them. The real fight now IS
over the provision prohibiting physicians
from pronouncing epidemic diseases in cases
until the health officer can examine and
first decide Tomorrow the conference
committee win be appointed, and If an
agreement can be reached on the points Of
difference the chances are that the legsla-
nltt1a &c m
adjourn Wednesday.
TWO BILLS PASSED.
Both houses to-day passed bill fixing tho
spring terms of the circuit court in six cir
cults, and one repeating the law giving a
reward for wild cat scalps killed in the
state. This latter has been a serious drain
on the county treasures, and its repeal is
hailed with delight.
Senator Parkhill to day addressed the
House in support of the bill giving special
health board to the port Of Pensacola,
which was favorbly acted on, and will
probably become law tomorrow.
The bill to reorganize the county boards
of health will probably pass tomorrow also.
THE AUTHORS OF AMENDMENTS.
While the bill providing for the establish
ment of q state board Of health was under
consideration in the Senate numerous
amendments were adopted, and among
them were several offered by Senator Dis
mukes of Quincy, who was singularlY sue
ceSsful in his suggestions. In the House Mr..
Berkelman of Putnam has the honor of
proposing more amendments that were
adopted than any other member. In the
House there are two CT three obstreperous
republican members who make themselves
conspicuous by useless motions, but in the
Senate the republicans have among their
number some of the most useful members,
notably Messrs. Schumacher OF Duval and
BiIlbty of Volusia, both highly esteemed
THE CoLoRED MEMBERS.
The only two colored men in the legis
lature are the members of the House from
Duval county. They have behaved very
creditably SO far, and nothing is alleged
against them.
Gen. J. J. Dickson of Lake county en-
joys the distinction of being the oldest and
most dignifed member of the legislature
The Tallahassee Gas Company is laying
pipes in the capitol grounds and when the
legislature meets in regular session in April
the grouJds will be brightly lighted with
gas. Other needed improvements will be
made to make the public buildings and
grounds look more attractive than at pres
emit
THE BONE OF CONTENTION.
The whole contest over the provisions OF
a bill to create a state board of health
seems really to be over the power given to
interrupt commercial intercourse with the
isands south Of Florida, from which it is
thought yellow fever is brought by the line
of steamers plying between those points
and the ports Of Key West, Tampa and
Punta Gorda. The idea that yellow fever
may originate within the limits of Florida
seems foreign to the minds Of the legis-
lators. The Plant Steamship Company con-
troll line Of steamers plying between Tam
pa and Havana, and to interrupt this
intercourse would prevent the carrying of
the fast mail over tn route.
Were it not for the constitutional provis-
ion commanding the establishment of a
state board of health, there would be great
improbability of passing a health bill of
any kind at the special or regular session.