The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-28
MICROBES OF DISCORD.
Jenkins's Hot Words Bring Sharp
RetOrt from Hamilton,
THE LATTER DECLINES TO DO ANY
WHITEWASHING.

Lfar when He Is a Thousand Miles
Away-The Government Officer and
Tammany's Appointee Discounting the
Violence of the Asiatic Visitor.
CHICAGO, September 27.-Dr. John B.
Hamilton, surgeon general of the Ma
rine Hospital service, arrived last eve
ming from New York, where he has been
in charge of Camp Low. En- route to
Chicago, when asked last evening If there
exists probability of an epidemic of
cholera in this country, he said: If the
quarantine in New York harbor is man
aged by the United States there is not
the slightest possibility that we will be
subject to the cohtagion, but if the quar-
antine is managed by the New York
state officials, as at present, 1 would an
swer your question by most decided
yes. In my opinion there need be no
alarm in Chicago. The health authori-
ties in New York handled the cases ad
mirably. They pursued the proper
methods in my opinion, and the fact that
they have so effectually treated the cases
and limited the spread of the disease is
in itself compliment to the organiza-
ton. But the proposition whether we
shall allow the State of New York to SUI
pervise practically all the quarantine of
the country is most pertinent one. Let
it be understood that about 80 per cent
of all the immigration to this country
from Europe comes through New York.
Now, it is my opinion that as the whole
United States is affected by the New
York quarantine it should be under the
Supervision of the United States.
believe that the establishment of
Camp Low met the necessity arising from
the massing of great number of immi-
grants in New York harbor.
DIR. Hamilton said that he did not care
to enter any word battle with DR.. Jen-
lxins, ssbut as he has seen fit to attack
me and my Methods said the doctor,
sit is only fair that should have word
to say. In the first place might remark
that it does not require a bold man to
call another a liar when the latter is sep
arated from the former by thousand
miles. DIR. jenkins said that made an
inspection of the vessel Hermann against
the rules of the quarantine and without
authority. In answer TO InaC can say
that. II inspected the Hermann under
specific orders from the Department of
the Treasury at Washington, and I think
it is generally conceded that Secretary
Foster is higher in authority than DR..
Jenkins. The vessel had been passed in
in by DIR. Jenkins, and under orders from
Washington, Lieutenant Lewis, a gradu-
ate of the naval acanemy, and myself
made a subsequent examination. I am
sorry that was called upon to injure
the sensibilities Of an officer, but have
No License to whitewash Anyone.
Consequently, when I found that theHer-
mann was exceedi ngly dirty, foul, ILL
smelling. the steerage overcrowded and
six cases Of measles and with four of the
passengers missing upon mastering, 1
recommended that the vessel be sent to
Camp Low. To say that DIR. Jenkins S
methods are very slack is putting it
mildly indeed. l have never seen any
patrol in upper quarantine and the fact
that persons have escaped his quaran-
tine and have been tried for the offence
on Staten Island is proc that it is ineffic-
lent Then, too, the two men who de-
serted from the Crystal, used in carrying
the patients to the hospital, are still at
large, and may be spreading pestilence
in New York city or elsewhere"