New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-05
SECRETARY FOSTER HERE.
TO INSPECT THE QUARANTINE SERVICE.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT HAMILTON SAYS THE
PRESIDENT HAS FULL POWER AND HE
QUOTES A LAW OF 1890.

Ex.sURGEON.GENERAL HAMILTON SAYS THE
PRESIDENT HAS FULL POWER AND HE
QUOTES A LAW OF 1890.
Secretary Charles Foster, OF the Treasury Depart
ment arrived in this city from Washington last
evening and became a guest Of the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. The Secretary accompanied by ex
Surgeon { Gerf6ral Frank NJ. Hamilton, who was for
eighteen years the head Of the United States Marine
Hospital Service at Washington, and In that capacity
drew all the laws in regard to the United States
Quarantine system which have been put upon the
statute book since 1877
Mr.. Foster, who in the best OF health and
spirits, saio to a Tribune reporter who had asked
him the purpose Of his visit to New-York:
81 came here. primarily, TO meet my wife and
daughter, who coming from Liverpool by the City
OF New York. which Is due at this port on Tuesday
I believe / am naturally anxious about them and
bcI- that there Is no cholera aboard their vessel
II therp is my family must submit to the same quar-
antlne regulations which VIII govern the other pas
sengers II there Is no infectious disease upon the
ew there will be nothing TO prevent the landing
of her passengers. She sailed the day before the
cholera circular issued from the Treasury De
partment, and 1t does not apply to them
Now that am here, shall take day or two 10
inspect the Ouarantin and Immigrant stations In the
port, and shall confer with the Health and customs
authorities here also with the officers OF the steam
ship companies engaged in the ocean traffic over the
Atlantic. | really apprehend little danger from the
cholera, for believe that thoroughly prepared
meet It. There is more In the dread and appe-
henson which has produced the scare than anything
else Why, the fact is that five years ago this sum
mer I'm 1887 there was cholera In the port of
New York than there is The Alesia and the
Britannia steamers from Mediterranean seapots'
brought between hirtyfve and forty cases here many
of whom died There spread OF the disease
then. and l have every reason for thihhihe 'ha' II
will be handled successfully now
The Secretary disincined TO speak Of the recent
uttennces attributed 10 Health Officer Jenkins In re-
lation to his powers and duties expect no trouoe
whatever with DIR. Jenkins or any oi the i"''A
authorities in this matter Mr.. Poster sad Inc
Health Ofcer has acted In cordial cooperation Win uhe
United Mates authorities, and have formed g"'"
opinion OF both his ability and zeal There should p
no disagreement or friction between the state and
Federal Government and do not believe that there
will be any, Some OF DR.. Jenkins's declarations re-
Carding his powers and functions and the reiau'e
authoritv OF the United States Government, 'mhh
unwise but they must have grown out Of ms
snprehcnsson on his part II he will examine the
circular carefully he will that there Is spe'iai
reservation I'm the case Of State Jurisdiction 'h'
no feel sure that Dr. jenkins will continue tn labor
In harmony with for the general go"o. Sn"n
urobablv be here for two three days al lss'' anu
shall take pains to acquaint myself, with Dr. hahhi
toms assistance with everything that should know
AS
arise tbough sincerely hope there will be nothing
Of the kind / inaein it will he found that the
United States Government has some powT III the
premises"
Exsurceon General Hamilton, who although he
resigned his former Office few months ago, Is sun
surgeon I'm the Lnited states Marine Hospital service
his staon at Chicago, present during the
s.crearv,x conversation. The Doctor said that he
should make a thorough and careful investigation oil
sanitary matters here and for that purpose he expected
IN confer with all the several authorizes cOhheeu WIN
the Health Department OF the port ana city.
zone object have In view" the cx cxsurgeOn''ca
,al said is 10 meet a committee of ply scian' ap
poiuted at conference of different state boards OF
health which met a, indianapolis fortnight ago This
mr,i,t.e uas selected for the purpose OF making "A
Inspection of the quarantine systems Pracuaeo
.,one the Eastern seaboard. The physicians c"npoS
ing IL have Jus; finished lher inspections a' V"'D'o
and are TO be here today or to-morro" 'o oo'hu""'
their work. After examining the quarantine matters
etc in vogue In this city they Will 80 on oowh the
coast first visiting Philadelphia. am very deslfou'
a ascetning what they have far discovered III uer
travels" 80 u,
Referring 10 secretary Fosters remark ula' IL
would probably be found In case OF fncuoh oe'"e'h
the local and United states authorities tha' tne reu
eal Government possessed OF some ]ui'suio"oi'
Dr. Hamilton said
An act of Congress, OF which was the anthor a.
have been OF about all the Federal lcslsnuoh
pertalnlng TO quarantine matters when WIS P"''o'
q little over two years ago. seems |" nave eS''Pe
ueneral attention. Ii was enacted after the Seho"
fever endemic In Florida. where assumed the aio"
tion of sanitary affairs going to Florida TOT 'ia' pu
nse / was Obliged 10 enforce measures "hi0S "ie
have b~en regarded arbitrary, but "aS sus"in'u
therein by both The State and NaliOhal a"1"o''uo9
Fearing that similar exigency might anse III WIN"
tho United states health oilcers wOud hot pe az
corded the powers willingly bestowed III fi"riua'
I drew n bill which became a law on March ~ i0'o'
uh,ch 7 think gives to the President ana secretary
n, the Treasury all the power needed III suc' "''
pencies AS tue present. The first secuon reads a.
follows: .,.,
/. whenever 1t shall be made to appear sa"si"c'"F
q, the President that cholern, yellow ieVer' smaii
~ or plagle exists In any State, Territory OF IL!
~ nstrict Of Columbia, and that there Is ohhgrr VI
a.. Snr.ad Of the disease into other Sta'ts, iciii
,ros or thc District Of Columbia, ne ~ nereD5
authorized to the secretary oI INV ir'nsis o
M ,ran,uIea,r such rules and regulations as MA p
u" ,paonrc p TO preven: the spread of tie oiseaes
Secretary Foster said that the action p tle lreslu'
In decaring the twenty days quarantine uPpn .
,nd no grants had met with unlVeiS
d eam1rvaI both I'm this country aLio On the o,tr
tha 81 the Atlantic. The secretary "1'eht u.,
s n circuIar issued in pursuance OF 'hc Irsiu'n
~ the case and the best OF the results e'o"s ou' Vi
"a =. W. mas the cessation Of immigration: ,,
IL ""' 90 notcs Mr. Foster said that there cond be
-; o,o opinou al prcscnt-that was that the ude was
;o Dno I,,o stfrongly in favor OF the Republicans.