Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-08-31
OFFICIALS ANXIOUS.
They Want to Hear of Cholera
Abating.
NEWS FRoM ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

Continues Bad, However, and Nothing
Can BE Done but Watch and Wait
Talk ola Twenty Days Ouarantine-The
Power Lies with the States-No Let-Up
of the scourge at Hamburg-Forty
Other German Towns Infected, and
Berlin Aiso-Sussia's Mortality.
WASHINGTON, Aug 3l.-The government
officials are very much exercised over the
reports received yesterday from the cholera
Infected districts of Europe. They regard
as very serious the fact that the dreadful
disease has secured foothold in England.
There long and important conference
held at the Jreasury-Giepartment yesterday
afternoon when the subject of establishing
a national quarantine was again taken up
The proposition was seriously discussed of
absolu ely excluding all vessels from chol
era infected ports, but the matter was
finally allowed to go over for day.
Opposed to Extreme Measures
The gradual but certain spread of the
cholera in Europe has alarmed the officials
here more than anything else, but they
still insist that the country was never in
better condition than now 10 combat the
disease. The tide of travel from Europe
has also set in with great strength and is
evidently made up largely OF Americans
who are anxious to get home before abso-
lutte quarantine i established. Assistant
Secretary Spaulding said that he was op-
posed 10 taking any such extreme action
until the last moment. because it would
work hardship on so many.
States Control Quarantine.
The governors of the states and tn.
municipal authorities may be able to
check the cholera by stopping immigra-
ton if the president refuses to assume
such power. The states cannot, perhaps,
directly prohibit immigration from the in
fected ports, but may produce quarantine
regulations rigid enough to put a stop to
the usual influx of immigrants. Good
lawyers here say that there is no doubt
taat this power exists in the states under
the federal constitution. The question Of
the right to make and enforce quarantine
regulations came before the supreme court
in the October term in 1855 and de-
cided in favor of the power of the states. .
viii lie Done il Necessary.
Acting Secretary SpauldinS said late
yesterday that it had been suggested to
him to establish a quarantine of twenty
days against all vessels bringing immi-
grants to the United States. 1t could not
he said that the treasury department was
considering such an extreme step. The
exigences of the case would have to he
very desperate TO justify resorting to such
an extreme measure and it would not be
done unless absolutely necessary for the
public welfare.
Believes 1t Will Sneak In
A state department official in discussing
the cholera question yesterday remarked
that it seemed almost impossible to pre-
vent the disease from making an entry into
this country. The strictest quarantine
regulations may be adopted and national
precautions may be taken by the marine
hospital service. and in spite of the COM
bined efforts of the state and national gov
ernments the plague is likely p sneak in
and settle among us. In dealing with
cholera, cleanliness is the surest prevent
i've.