The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-06
Gov. Flower end QuarantLne.

| Gov. Flower end Quarantine,
| In his annual message Gov. Flower, Of
| New York, takes position against giving
the national government control OF Quaran-
tine. He says that it has become too much
| the tendency of the time 60 appeal TO tie
federal government for tbs correction OF
evils, the accomplishment of all public
works and the performance Of all public
functions lie further declares that be- is
not yet,convincei that "the old-fashIoned
JeffersouiRn theory OF self-goyernment
must be laid aside for the adoption OF a
[ centralized government exercising great
/ variety o. functions which the states or
! the people can best discharge for them
/ selves" Ho admits, however, that there
would be advantages in a national quaran-
tine. but doubts that the people of New
| York would be willing 20 entrust so i'm
portant a matter as the preservation OF the
public health to the exclusive jurisdiction OF
the federal government,
IL is quite true that there has been TOO
much Of a tendency 10 extend the control OF
the federal government ever since the Re-
publican party has been in powor, but the
aim of the Republican party has been TO
strengthen that party rather than to advance
the welfare of the country. The demand
for a national quarantine. however, does
not come from suy party. 1t comes from
the people irrespective Of party. There is
ct present no uniformity in respect to quar-
sntine regulations at the different ports. At
some Of the ports the quarantine Is quite
effective, and at others il is almost worth
less. and there is no probability OF an I'm
mediate change for the better. The con-
sequence is that the country has
no confidence in state guarantees. At the
first sign of danger the interior states pre-
pare to put up the quarantine bars against
the coast states and thus interrupt travel
and make interstate commerce virtually
impossible.
Gov. Flower takes a very narrow view
OF the question. He seems to be speaking
only for the state Of New York and the
Office holding class thereof. In order that
New York may control the quarantine at
her port he is ready to disregard the welfare
Of the whole country. And 1t does not ap-
pear that he represents the people OF New
York In the matter, because only recently
the New York Chamber Of Commerce passed
resolutions in favor OF federal control Of all
quarantine matters.
In fact, the governor himself virtually
admits that his position is not strong one,
because he says he is not opposed to a ma
tional quarantine, but only to an exclusive
national quarantine. and he even goes so far
as to suggest that the federal authorities
can assist the state quarantine authorities
greatly by preventing immigrants afflicted
with contagious diseases from coming to
this country. He would like the federal
authorities to cooperate with the state aus
thorities in keeping the country free from
contagious diseases.
1t is doubtful If Gov. Flowers views ro-
ceive very general approval. Democrats in
all parts of the country are as much opposed
as he is to any further Capitalization of the
government, but in cases in which the CEN
traliEation OF power would result in pro-
noting the welfare Of all they would hardly
stand 10 their own light by opposing it.
HThere was great complaint Of the man
agement Of the quarantine at New York
last fall when the cholera made its appear
auce there, and the state quarantine aus
thorities accepted the assistance OF the fed
eral government They were upprepared
to contend successfully with the condition
of affairs that was thrust upon them. II
the quarantine authorities of New York
couldn't do what was required of them what
might be expected Of the quarantine au-
thorities Of some Of the other ports IL they
should be confronted with n similar condi-
ton Of affairss Outside Of the New York
politicians Gov. Flowers views on the sub
ject Of quarantine will not find much favor.