Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-03
THEIR HANDS TIED.
The Federal officials Unable
to Override a State
officers Orders.
A SURPRISE FOR MANY.
Was Jenkins Announcement That
he Would Do as He Liked
ABOUT QUARANTINE MATTERS.
None of the Government officials Are
Willing to Talk of It
A SURPRISE FOR MANY.
ABOUT QUARANTINE MATTERS.
GREAT CONFUSION BOUND TO ARISE
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENCE

tFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, Sept 2-The President,
the Secretary of the Treasury and other
officials who were consulted before the
issue of the order for the 20 days quaran-
tine of all vessels carrying immigrants were
considerably surprised to-day when they
were informed that Health Officer Jenkins,
of New York, had declared himself to be a
bigger man than all of them, and that he
would ignore the order from the general
Government and use his own judgment in
regard to the admission of passengers,
whether they are immigrants or not.
Of course these august officials admitted
that they had no power to interfere with
the petty officials or the quarantine regula-
tions of State, and so confessed in the
order. 1t vas not expected, however, that
the oficials~of any State would find fault
with the order, or that they would attempt
TO vitiate it. The President has consulted
with number of the Cabinet officials to-
day in regard to the matter, but all seemed
to think that the general Government could
do nothing more than had been done and
that if the governing power of the State of
New York, or of any other State, could
afford to permit its employees to render
nugatory proclamation that was plainly in
the interests of the protection ofthe country
from the introduction of the plague, the
responsibility would rest with that govern
ment
Nobody Willing to Talk
None of the officials would talk about the
matter for publication. Assistant Secre-
tsry Spsulding, who has special charge of
arrangements pertaining to the cholera,
said this afternoon it was very delicate
question, and that it would be manifestly
improper for him to say anything, as the
slightest discussion might result in widen
ing any differences between the Federal and
the State authorities He hoped that sober
second thought would induce the health
officer at New York to see that all the
powers of all the governments should work
together to the same end.
1t is expected here that Governor Flower
will take some action to prevent at least
any less rigid supervision than that sug-
gested in the Government order, as, in case
the cholera should effect an entrance under
such circumstances, the condemnation of
the State authorities would certainly be
somewhat uncomfortable.
The action of DR.. Jenkins is generally
criticised as particularly foolish, as the
public up to this time had criticised no one
but the President for his Indifference and
tardiness, but now the President was largely
relieved, as he had dons all that could be
done under the law except by the calling of
an extra session of Congress
How Jenkins May Be squeIched.
As to the report that the Collector of
Customs at New York had declared that
every vessel carrying immigrants that ar
rived at New York should be detained 20
days, regardless of the action of the health
officers the highest authorities at the de-
partments assert that he has that power,
and that he will be quietly ordered to ex-
ercise 1t. 1t is expected, however, that the
immigrant business will be reduced to
very small proportion, no matter what is
done, the doubt in regard to the admis-
sion OF immigrants will impel steamship
lines to refuse to carry immigrants for an
indefinite period.
1t seems that beyond the immigrants
nothing is to be done, and that both the
Federal and State authorities are agreed
that passengers of other classes may come
on and proceed to their destinations all
over the country, without let or hindrance.
One OF the most regretted features of the
friction between the Federal and the State
officials is the Confusion that will arise in
regard to the restrictions at the various
ports, as, at some of them, immigrants may
be held In accordance with the Federal
order, while at others they may be admitted
as other passengers are, thus vitiating, DOS
slbIy, the more rigid regulations
Middle That - as Overlooked
1t is muddle that ought to have been
foreseen long ago, as everybody now con-
fesses, and therefore the mass of the people
still insist that the only proper and sensible
proceeding is yet to call an extra session of
Congress, and at once enact law that will
give the general Government absolute con-
troll of the quarantine. Those who oppose
this view hold that Congress could not at
any rate enact a law that would have any
important bearing on the matter before the
time of regular meeting in December, but
this is manifestly a weak argument, as no
one can tell what immeasurable good might
be accomplished by the enactment of such
law, as no one can foresee the extent to
which conflict between the Federal and
the State authorities may be carried.
Still another class takes the hopeless
view that the cholera germs have undoubt-
edly already been sown broadcast, and that
it makes little difference what is done now.
1t is very certain that if the plague does
make its appearance in the United States
there will be no end of eliminating asser-
tions as to the place where the response
biity belongs The New York port is but
one of many, and any lax enforcement of
preveEtiVes there by the State authorities
Will not palliate the tardiness of the admin
lstratlon, unless it should be plainly evi-
dent that the presence of the contagion is
due to the political jealousy and antagon-
ism OF the New York government through |
Health Officer jenkins
Harrison Very Much Worried. |
The President was much worried over the |
situation to-day, and was in doubt as to |
whether it is not his duty to stay ct the |
capital instead of trying to enioy himself |
killing fish and birds at Loon Lake. At |
last accounts the fascination of the rod and |
gun seemed TO have gained the asceudepcy |
over his qualms of conscience. 1t is pre-
dicted that ne will meet the cholera on his /
way back TO Washington, when he is forced |
TO return to play his part in the perform
ances attending the annual encampment of |
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Ihe Treasury Department to-day re-
celved dispatch from the New York Ship |
ping Company asking whether London /
comes under the 20 days quarantine circu-
lar, and whether freight boats will be Quar-
Gntined when they have only cabin passen-
gers. Secretary Foster replied that vessels
not carrying immigrants will not necessa-
rily be detained 20 days at quarantine, but |
that all vessels from foreign ports will be |
held long enough to assure the health off, |
GERS that there is no danger of their intro