Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-04
The Federal Government Supreme in
Quarantine Matters,
AS THE COUNTRY is AFFECTED.
Dr. Hamilton to Be Given Charge of the
Canadian Frontier
10 KEEP OUT CHOLERA GERMS THERE
rrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

unotficlsl manner, to upset DE. jenkins
theory and assertion of State rights. They
say it will be time enough to come 10 a
trial OF strength when the health officer at
New York takes some step that is at vari-
aace with the order of the President
1t is by some admitted that it was an
oversight, however, that the difference be-
tween the power of the State and of the
Federal Government was not more clearly
defined, as it was quite certain that some
nincompoop of health officer somewhere
would try to advertise the grandeur of his
little brief authority, even at the expense
Of lie and the health of thousands. 1t is
thought that DR.. Jenkins and the Attorney
General of New York, now that they have
had their deliverance, will settle down to
business, and that the last thing they will
attempt to DO VIII be to make practical
assertion of the superiority of their author
ity over that OF the President OF the United
States by admitting cholera-laden vessels,
or any vessels whatever, contrary to the
spirit of the order of the President
a Conflict Criminal at Present
"Whrn the least infraction of the spirit
of the order issued from the Treasury De-
partment Thursday is committed by Dr..
Jenkins or anv other New York State Off
cial or any official of any of the States.
the people of the country will quickly find
out who is the superior power in this coun-
trv," said high legal authority of the ad-
mnlstraron to-day. Though some dis
agree with me-" he continued, 81 do not
think it would have been wise to go into
arv discussion or any explanation of the
order of Thursday. It would have been
unwise to have assumed in the fsintest
manner that there could happen any occur
renee so foolish as discussion of authority
where every citizen possessed of an atom of
sense would be thought anxious to work
with every other citizen to the end that the
cholera might be kept from gaining foot
hold if possible.
'Ot course, a Collector of Customs has
the power to prevent any vessel from en-
tering the port where he is stationed if
there is good reason for doing so. 1 do not
think ii would be well for Collector of
Port to act upon his own responsibility as
q Collector; but in case a disposition be
shown bv any of the authorities of the
State to vitiate the orier of the Federal
Government in the interest of the health of
the country, the Government can quickly
assert its absolute right to supplement and
control the quarantine, that the foolish act
of a State official may not endanger life and
health throughout the length and breadth
of the land.
Rights of the General Government
''The State may make and enforce such
laws as are deemed necessary for the safety
ald ralth Of the State but in all matters
of foreign commerce, or in case of foreign
invasion of any kind, the general Govern
nent has the right and the power, aside
from any of the questions involved in the
old dogma Of State rights, not to go counter
10 the laws and regulations of the State, but
to 20 to whatever length beyond and above
the laws Of the State is necessary for the
protection of the people of all of the
States. The federal power may not do less
than the State, bat it may do infinitely
more, to that extent which is prudent and
sensible.
Suppose State should refuse to enact
any laws or regulations at all to prevent the
entrance of plague, or should afford only
partial protection; surely the A States |
OF the " hole federation must not be left |
wholly az the mercy of such chance. Even |
in the contingency that Congress may not |
have enacted specific laws to reach such |
case, or the passage OF an act placing the |
G quarantine absolutely under the control of |
the Federal Government, as it might do |
under laws and decisions and precedents al !
most numberiess, the President may take |
the matter in his hands and issue proclama-
ton that shall be absolute.
No Mist IKE About tho Premises
81 only regret that the Preiident did not
use fiTmer and tarther-reaching language in |
his brief order of Thursday, but there can
be no mistake about his power in the prem
ises, Is the State authorities of New York
will discover if they attempt to do less than
is contemplated in the order l fancy that
no such attempt will be made, and especially
il view OF the fact that vessel after vessel
is arriving with cholera cases on board and
with reports OF deaths from cholera during
their voyage. I have every assurance that
the order will be as comprehensive in its effect
as though it had been absolute and with an
assumption of sole authority"
One Of the most important incidents of
the dav in connection with the treatment of
the cholera question was the arrival of DR..
Hamilton, late Surgeon General Of the
Marine Hospital Service, bur now engaged
Is an instructor in one OF the Western med
cal colleges at Chicago. Dr. Hamilton
comes at the request Of the Secretary of the
Treasury ard Will be assigned to assist in
he organization and supervision of the
quarantine. He is still a surgeon in the
Marine Hospital Service and at the CON-
mand OF the Government DR.. Wvman,
who Is now Supervising Surgeon General OF
the service, has proved himself to be
very energetic, but his head has been
swelied by the suddenly in
creased importance of his position, and be-
'Ides that, he is not as thorough an organ
ger as Dr. Hamilton, who has passed
through number of invasions bv one
md hoe |
lonal qualities for commanding the eff
;iency OF the quarantine lie has never
Glled where he was given the opportunity
0 stamp ont contagious disease before it |
aimed dangerous toothold
sat sfI d " iih What Hls Been Done
DR. Tamiiton had 4 conference with DIR.
81 -nan and the Secretary of the Treasury
o-GGy, and expressed himself as rratifrd
u he main with what has been done. and
eadv 10 do ANYTHING that is required of
nm to assist at Ine prevention of the spread |
II the conJagion in this country 1t is de-
ired that he shall have special oversight of
he Canadian border, which is considered 4
ne OF the most dangerous points, but he
'Iil be at all times ready to give advice in
egard to the arrangements of the Cuaran-
Inc in other parts of the country
In the event OF disagreeable contingency r
the plague asserting its presence on {
nlted States soil, 1t is probable that DR.. I
hamilton VIII be asked to have special !
IperrlSIon Gt the internal quarantine for
lie prevention OF the progress of the dis
use Throughout the cities of the country.
.mong those who are aware of the skill of
'r. Hamilton there is general conprstuls- =
ON to-day that the administration has