New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-07
DISCUSSING QUARANTINE.
SENATOR CHANDLER SPEAKS ON The
HARRIS BILL.
1T STEERS MIDDLE COURSE. BUT MAY BE
MADE THE GAsIs FOR STRICT


QUARANTINE LAW.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE1
Washington Jan. G--In accordance with last Wed
nesdays special order the Senate took up to-day the
Quarantine and Immigration bis, on which Senators
Chandler and Harris and their committee colleagues
have been laboring for several n0nths only mo
Harris bill was considered this afternoon, 1t being
thought the promising bnsis for immaculate
legislation This measure tries to steer sort OF
middle course between State and National con'roi
m quarantine. giving the National Government,
through the Marine Hospital service full powers Of
quarantine administration in all cases IN which Tie
State authorities invoke Federal aid. III the author
tiles OF any seaboard State do not request Nauohai
aid the Federal officers are directed simply 10 co
operate with the local authorities and to Keep out
Infection as best they can.
The bill does not please, on the one HAND those
who advocate an exclusive National quarantine, nor
on the other those who contend that quarantine
powers are vested solely In the States III serves
however, as a good basis for compromise ana may
easily be made 81 Congress desires It, the skeleton
Of radical quarantine law. An amendment 10 IL
now pending authorizes the President TO suspend
all immigration at his discretion, in case an epidemic
Is threatened; and it IS over this clause no uou0''
that the real contest on the bill viii be made.
Senator Chandler who has still in reserve Ills blu
suspendng immigration entirely for year. occupied
most OF tn, time today in explaining the dangers Oh
nfectl,a from the free entry Of immigrants and sug-
costing various means Of prevention. 1t was evident
from the OF his remarks that ne scarcely eAp'eu
the one-vear suspension bill 10 pass, for 10 made some
more or less serious charges 10 the effect that the
Steamship companies were using all means to block
such legislation including the time.honored one o.
giving dinners representatives. OF the newspaper
nross Tho North German Lloyd Companys recent
dinner at Hoboken 10 dining club OF Washington
correspondents was taken as topic for some o.
ha hpr q
thought he cond shoulder the probable failure OF his
hill on tits innocent fesvity was not clear to MS
colleagues The Harris ill will be taken up again
tomorrow, and may pass in some shape or c'her
before adjournment.
Mr.. Chandler complimented Mr. Harris, the author
Of the bill for his zeal and intelligence as chairman
Of the Committee on Epidemic Diseases, and TOOK IL
for granted that the details OF the penang Dill were
wise and judcious He in favor OF every possible
step that could devised for the protection OF ms
country from cholera during the coming season. AL
the powers OF the State governments and OF the Ma
tional Government should be put In motion 70 pre-
vent II. lie believed that when the Treasury De
partnent had done all it could and when the pnoihs
bin should have become law, II would be expedient
for the present Congress 10 go farther, ana 10 pass
the hill for the entire suspension OF alien immigration
for year.
Mr. Chandler then read extracts from the state
mcnts OF leading physicians OF New-fork as 70 inc
imminency OF an invasion OF choic'a uui"e '"o ''e
spring and summer
Mr. Vcst inquired whether the opinion OF Dr. Ham
uton was included In the paper from which Mr. Chsnd
Ter was reading; and when he was Informed that IL
was not he said that Dr.. Hamilton had tod MN there
was no necessity for excluding immigrants, ana MAD
expressed the apprehension that II the Dill 70 Sspchu
immigration became a law 1t would result In the WORST
class Of immigrants coming in through Canada
Mr. Harris interrupted Mr.. West TO say that DE-
hamilton was decidedly In favor OF the pending I'm
migration bill.
Mr.. Chandler described the preparations made In
the harbor OF New-York treat cholera patients ana
said that he had been favoraby impressed with these
preparations. But he believed that the Secretary Of
the Treasury should, without weeks delay, put
Camp Low into most perfect condition. and that al
emergency appropriation for that purpose should be
made by Ills Congress.
Mr. Cullom inquired whether Mr.. Chandler was
satisfied with the kind Of .oint stock arrangement
between TIC State governments and the National Gov
ernmert.
Mir. chandler denied that there rras Joint stock
Arrangement There was n National Jurisdiction and a
state jurisdiction the subject OF the quarantine
While he was aware that there might be some
cnce In this ne did think wise for the
United states to take the sole responsibility Of cxcnd
| ing cholera in the coming spring and summer.
Mr.. lqatt-Do you Intend 10 throw The Sole re-
spops'buty on the State authorities!
Mr. Chandler-I do not. My proposition IS that
VIC should pass the bill reported by tho Senator from
| Tennessee (Mr. Harris. l think that we should go
On as We are. Tue government OF che State Of New
York should put at the head OF the quarantine cS'ab-
| lishncnt df such Is not the casel a supcTin-
tendcnt who will get well with TIE Federal auih0ri
lies and the Secretary OF the Treasury should put at
the head OF the National quarantine establishment at
New-York Gf he is not already there, man who VIII
| get on well with the State authorities.
Mr. Hansbrough-Do you not think that the sus
| pensIon OF Immigration would only divert II into
Canadian ports from which 1t would flow over Into
| the United States
/ Mr. Chandier-I do not. do not think that II tins
radical measure be adopted By the United states I'M
migrants are going 70 be allowed On the first Place
on board OF steamships. and certainly do not believe
that the Canadians are going to protect themselves
| any less rigldly than We protect ourselves.
| Mr. Plat asked whethe: the seventh section o.
the Quarantine bill tgiving the President power K
| suspend Immigration would not answer the purpose
Mr. Chandler said In reply that It would be cowardly
TO lay the responsibility the President II was no
| a question what should be done when the chocr'
Ind broken ont.
Mr. Trye-The President who is 10 come in OF
March has courage enough TO Issue proclamation
| to suspend immigration 81. In his Judgment II l.
| necessary: because long before March he issued
proclamation TO prevent what he believed would be
an infection Of the Senate. Uaughter).
Mr. Chandler-I know that eight years ago the
President elect In the month OF February, issued
proclamation on The subject OF the free coinage Of
oliver. and requested that Congress should pass n
LII suspending the law for the monthly purcilas, O
| 100000 Of silver, and aIu now waiting for the
| pronunclamo Of the President elect to de
eide ms In the LII introduced by the Senator
| from New-Jciscy (Mr. McIhcrsCn). But / do not
think he has any views Oh the subject OF III, sls