New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-07
THE PUBLIC SAFETY.

Every NATIONAL emergency DrllSS nohc W
Americans with increased force each year the
question whether they are benefited in every
particular and at all points by the malnte-
nance of State lines and divided responsibility.
When the lynching of Italians at New-Oreans
involved the United States in a controversy
with friendly nation it seemed to many
people of this country somewhat humlllat-
ing to be obliged to explain that the United
States had not in its own hands the power to
cause its treaties to be respected in regard to
subjects of other nations accused Of crime IN
this country, but was obliged to leave the prose
cution and punishment Of criminals. and the
protection of persons accused, to the authorities
of State or city. The urgent necessity OF de-
Tending the Nation as a whole against the ad-
vanccs of pestilence promptly elected from
one State official, who acts under state law only
a declaration since Withdrawn, that he did not
intend t. regard the Presidents proclamation,
but would pass foreign vessels from Quarantine
whenever he thought fit.
Regarding these and other cases, public opin-
ion seems 10 be tending strongly toward I'M
patience win tho divided responsibility which
necessarily results from the old distribution OF
mower Protection against pcStllencc, 1t Is
said. ought to be treated az duty of the Ma
tional Government. and all the powers for such
protection ought TO be lodged in its hands.
Though all the States save one should discharge
their duties most thoroughly, the whole Nation
might be swept by destroying epidemic be-
cause at single port the State or local officer
might neglect needful precaution. Such di-
vision OF power obviously deprives every State
of the security which It seeks and ought to be
able 10 attain Though it may pay out large
sums for efficient service at its own seaports 1t
NAV vet see the entire expenditure and labor
rendered Of no avail whatever. because some
official Of another state takes different view
Of his obligation. or acts without proper sense
OF his responsibility.
IL was long ago laid down as a conservative
rule. by those who were resisting tendencies
toward GENERALIZATION, that the General Gov
eminent ought not to be empowered TO do things
which could be done as well and as effectively
by the State. But this same old rule, II APP
piled to present affairs would clearly require
concentration Of powers for protection OF the
public health No state can protect It's own
citizens aswell a. they should be protected. nor
can il in fact protect them at all, unless other
bility. Nothing that the State of New-lork
has power to do would be Of much service if
Ncw-Jersey or Connecticut could admit pest
laden vessels to ports within an hours ride OF
this city
What single State cannot do for the people
effectively it should not be left to do. 1t can
not shut the doors against pcstencc, and that
is a sufficient reason for intrusting to the one
authority which can act in all the states alike
the entire control of precautionary measures
Of that character IL is true that negligent
or incompetent National Administration would
then he a curse TO all the States. But there is
less reason 10 fear that National officials, having
full responsibility in the matter, would be found
incapable or worthless. than that the people OF
a State conscious that they cannot III fact Sc
cure safety by any measure within their power
NAV not always take care to have competent
men on guard armed with ample legal power.