Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-10-08
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.

HHll lAlk NiallAuDll VI AtttAiHAfN iA''"'
posed to us the inetiiclency Of our
means OF self-preseryation. AS a re-
suit Of the conflict Of authority between
nation and state in New York harb0r
the pleasing assurance comes from
Washington that national quaran-
tine established 10y federal legislation
win propably be enc Of the leading
recommendation Of President HaTi-
son I'm his message to congress in De
ccmber. The recent experience Of the
federal officials with the quarantine
system as enforced by The various
states has led to the conclusion that
there ought 10 be d uniform national
system Of protecting the country from
pestilence. This would prevent all con-
aicts between state and federal an
th0riHcs, and would make it certain
that whatever precautions were taken
bv the federal authorities to shut ont
pestilence would apply equally in every
part Of the country. The marine hos
pital service could easily assume the
work Of enforcing a national quarau
tine law, aud it would have within easy
summons The revenue marine service,
and if necessary the entire military and
naval force n the country. Citizcns
at home who feared the incoming Of
pestlIence would know just what steps
were being taken TO shut It ont with
ont consulting the laws and regulations
of Twenty or thirty states. Citizens
abroad returning to this country would
know that tile same rigid inspection
would await them ut the rcmotest
part OF the Cnrolinas or the gulf as
awaited ;hem at New York Boston or
Canadian points Immigrants and the
steamship companies would know that
they had but one authority to deal with
at quarantine ana that was the author
fly Of the nation. Foreign govern
ments would also be able to deal di-
recuy with the department Of state
In any negotiations regarding quaran-
tine and could cooperate with that de-
partmnt In measures for an nterna'
tional warfare against pesulence,
II constitutional warrant can be found
FOR placing the whole matter under
the absolute control Of federal officials,
It will undoubtedly be recommended
by President Harrison. There is no
specific reference In the constitution
to any such authority in congress, but
power may be found under the clause
authorizing congress Ito regulate com
merce with foreign nations and with
the several states" If authority could
be found for On absolute embargo up
on commerce for a merely political pur-
pose S. years ago, when the bonds OF
the federal union were much weaker
than now. it Is argued that the de
tention OF vessels in quarantine to save
the country from pestilencc is easily
within the powers Of the federal gov.
ernmant There is no question that
congress has the power to regulate
immigration, whether the power is de
rived from the authority 20 regulate
commerce or from The famous slavery
clause which provides that the mi
grafton or importation of such persons
as any Of the states now existing shall
think proper TO admit shall not be pre-.
hlblted by congress prior to the year
enc thousand eight hundred and eight
The absolute prohibition Of immigration
in times OF danger win probably be
placed in the hands Of tho president
II any Inv is enacted an3 this win be
strictly within the constitutional au-
thorty Of congress. If doubt arises
as to the power Of congress to exclude
the states from the exercise OF qnaran-
tine powers, it may still bc found prop
rr to establish some federal regulations
and 20 provide that they shall have
fun force subject 60 The laws or the
states
ANY action that the federal govern.
mont may take win undoubtedly meet