The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-17
VENEZUELA AND QUARANTINE.
Gen. Avery Sees Good in the Discus
sion and Urges Sensible Quaran-

Gen. Avery Sees Good in the Discus
sion and Urges Sensible Quaran-
tines.
News: I am very clad TO see in the News
Of to-day the continued agitation Of the
quarantine question at southern ports in
connection with the very important mat
ter Of tine Venezuelan visitors 10 the At
lanta exposition coming through the south
instead of going by the north.
The discussion Of the subject viii result
in the fixing of quarantine for its legiti-
mate purpose of protection against pesti-
lence, without unnecessary injury 10
trade. All are interested IN that result.
Neither the natural rivalry OF competing
ports, nor the extreme ideas OF quaran-
tine officers should be allowed 10 prevent
either an intelligent and fun discussion
or practical and correct decision OF the
matter.
/ have now brought this valuable bene-
fit Of admitting the Venezuelan visitors
at a time when the yellow fever season
is over, and under absolutely safe quaran-
tine regulations, before the cities OF Sa-
vannah, Jacksonville, Brunswick ana
Charleston. the four leading South Allan
tic ports, the preference, being given 10
Savannah.
The people and municipal and trade au-
thorities of all have been eager to arrange
for the safe admission Of these desirable
travellers. They have all understood the
benefit of such visitors in every respect
and especially on the fact OF It's leddlnB
to new and large trade relations with
great near country with which none now
exists.
The health officers have treated the mo-
mentous matter differently. In savannah
there was a prompt adverse decision, upon
a general idea, and without thorough IN
VestigatiOn, without conference, as I'M
derstand II, with authorities, without care
ful and exhaustive consideration OF the
subject, and even upon incorrect suppo-
-HH Na aAE fnfffp hq
favored the matter If IL could be done
safely. and taken every proper step 10
accomplish the much to be desired result,
seeking the completest information, and
laying the situation fully before, and sub
hitting the decision to, the controlling
power, the surgeon general. before, in adj
vance declaring the impOssibility Of the
admission without quarantine, without
giving him chance to pass upon new
and vital set of conditions. involving large
public good.
Without reflection on any one, 10 will
not be regarded as improper for me to
very kindly express the view that this
most thorough examination, and not to
be hastily determined upon insufficient
Information and inaccurate conceptions Of
facts.
There is one statement of the health
officer IN this mornings paper that de-
mands grave consideration from our
southern people. II there are valuable
South American countries and ports,
against which the South Atlantic and
Gun ports are TO be quarantined regard
less of their conditions of health, this is
an embargo on southern trade that should
be remedied Immediately.
If such quarantine exists, iron-clad and
immoVable under any conditions, this is an
opportune time and the very occasion
for the authorities of the southern coun-
tries and ports so affected. to unite to-
sSther and have an overhauling of the
whole quarantine matter so that while
we shall be guarded from pestilence, yet
that our business shall not causelessly
be damaged.
The other health officers do not share
in the dlstrust of the Savannah health
officers of the truthfulness of the consular
service of the United States, and il is
due to all interests that the health Of
hcer here should bring before the United
states government the grounds of such
distrust and have the evil If IL exists
have cOnsuls that we can rely on, and
the government will have them. The
wholesale Impeachment of our consular
service is a serious thing. That service
is the reliance for truth about the health
of foreign ports. and the basis of United
States action. And If the consular service
is reliable our quarantine should not be
be because OF an unfounded idea of its
unreliability. In other words. the trade of
our south should not suffer detriment
because consuls are believed to give false
bills of health, when they give truthful
bills.
The fact is undenable that our southern
commerce is suffering on account Of quar-
antine regulations that do not exist else
where in the union.
We should try to keep away epidemics
and yet not Kill commerce, as others do
i. w. Avery.