The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-03
CONFLICTOF AUTHORITY
THE PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION
His Right to Declare National Quarantine
Disputcd-The Attorney Generals ODin-
ion-The Action Generally Approved.

ion-rhe Action Generally Approved.
WARRINGTON, D. c., Sept. 2.-The state
ment of DR.. jenkins health officer Of the
city Of New York. TO the effect that President
Harrison's proclamation directing qusran-
tine Of twenty days III the case Of all vessels
carrying immigrants from Europe would be
ignored, was tte subject OF discussion in
official circles this evening. It's tone of in
difference, not to say hostility to the pur-
pose of the Presidents proclamation, caused
considerable comment. "Dr. Jenkins is
technically right" said Attorney ey-General
Miller to a reporter Of the United Press.
\ MI. MILIER's REMARKABLE SUGGESTION.
when he says ne is vested with power
20 hold any vessel az long a. no deems 1t
Necessary under the statutes, the general
Government has no power 10 enforce
quarantine on its own motion. That was
the conclusion reached Ia the opinion fur
nisned by the Department OF Justice 20 she
President yesterday. and means that nothing
can he done by the Federal Government IN
opposition to or inconsistent with State
laws on the subject, and whatever force the
Presidents proclamation may have. must
no gwen TO it by the State authorities.
1T Was issued" continued Attorney Cen
,rai Miller. because 1t was believed that
the Government should DO vhatever 1t pos
sibly could TO prevent the introduction Of
the soourge. It has exhausted everv power
within its control, and whatever more is de-
sired from the Government must first be
authorized by Congress. In view OF the
unanimous approval which has met the
Presidents action in issuing his pr0clafna-
ton : very much doubt that DR.. jenkins
will attempt to ignore it. Should be do so.
however. the consequences must rest with
him in conclusion. Attornev- General MIL
Ter said; If DR.. Jenkins should desire that
the Presidents proclamation should not be
enforced, would advise the summoning OF
Congress 70 meet within ten days to clotne
tho general Government with the power IL
now lacks to act in such emergencies as
this.
WHAT FOSTER SAYS.
Collector Hendricks, OF New York, brought
the attitude OF Health Officer jenkins
10 the attention of Secretary of the Treas
ury Foster to-day in the following dispatch:
"CoHecfor's Ofioe, No,e York, Sept 2. 2.-ke-
ferrine 10 the last paragraph Of circular l5O
(ths quarantine circular. shall L detaln
vessels in quarantine that have not entered
but are passed By the health officer, until
special instructions are received from the
department, and will such detention apply
to cabin passengers"
Acting Secretary Spaulding replied as fol-
lows Circular 100 excepts vessels ahoat
AT the dA,e of the circular. Any yesse
within the exception and passing quarantine
will be entered in absence OF Information
received after they pass health officers thai
their entrance is likely to introduce chol-
| era ,
This reply. il will DO seen, covers only the
| case Of vessels now a1oat. and ls silent at
10 vessels bearing immigrants that sal! after
date set by the President for the Onlteu
States
COLLECTOR HENDRIcEs WILL ACT NYHo"
A representative of the United Press
! called on Collector Hendricks this morning
| IL regard To tho stand taken by Dr. Jen
| kins. The collector said: Our instructions
o. clear rs TO vessels coming from choler'
! ports. We will hold them under these
| orders twenty days unless modification L
received from Washington. whether TIT
health officer says they may come up or not ,
! Passengers will be held with the cargo, and
none will be permitted e. come on land. AS
| TO vessels already in the harbOr and not Ell
tered. although passed by the health oihcer
/ | nave telegraphed for special instruct on
and until received they will be detained.
repeat. the customs authorities will hold
vessels from quarantined ports the require'
twenty days, health officer or no health
officer"
QUARANTINE GORDON.
The United States is surrounded to-day al
| with a Chinese wall by a quarantine cordoi
against the cholera. At every port on th
| Atlantic coast aud all the principal ports
| the Pacific coast and ports OF entry alon'
| Al. h.r lar AlaYlCan frontier
United States officials stand as sentrle
guarding against the plague. All informa
tion received at the Treasury Department
| To the effect that the regulations nave Oeel
| strictly enforced by United otates olhcef
! and State officials, who are WORKING II
hearty conjunction. No case OF cholera OK
ists IN the Unlted States SO far as the lre@s
! ury Department is advised. and If its ehort
avail no case will be introduced. he wori
of sending out the circular agreeu upon q
the conference with the President was car
ried on at the Department till nearly mld
night. and by that time every official OF tl
| Goverument had been advised OF ms dut
! in the premises. The State. Departmen
! telegraphed the circular to ministers abroad
whom in turn notified the United State
| cOnsuls. ,,:
Customs officials, inspectors and medlcca
! officers were communicated Win from III
| Treasury Department. Assistant-Secretar
! Spaulding to q United Press reporter SUI
that An ocean steamer arriving now VIII
both immigrants and cabin passengers o
board would be detained twenty Gays
quarantine. The immigrants woUid De Asp
on the vessel for twenty days. out the oapl
messengers. in the discretion OF the hehlt
officials. would be permitted 10 iaho III
reasonable time.
| GARNET MEETING.
Meeting of the Cabinet was held at tn
Fyecutiye Mansion to-day. at which Secrs
tsrv of the Treasury Foster. Secretary
War Flkins Postmaster General WanAma
ker and Attorney-General Miller were pres
ent. All other members of the Cabinet are al
sent from the city. The meeting took piac
AT 11.8O the usual time for Cabinet mee
ines. and continued till nearly l o'clocH
The general condition of affairs was di'
cussed and matters requiring immedlate aC
ton of the President were brought 10 a.
attention.
An ADVISORY PROCLAMATION.
II ia stated on the authority Of Cablne
officer that the President Will issue an AZ
ylsory proclamation enlOinlng upoh tno "u
tborities OF the cities the adoption Oh san
tary precautions and the enforcemenI
the utmost possible degree OF cleanllne'
so as To lessen the danger Of cholera Iaklh
hold should it lie introduced into the coui coui
trv in spite of all the precautionary mea
nres taken. This step. 1t is SAID was Oh
cussed in Cabinet meeting to-day
coSsULAR ADyIcEs.
Consular adyices were received frol
~ -, -sCholera nj SreifswalC