The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-04
yELLoW FEVER AND OUR TRADE.
Views OF n sontherner on the Need or n
Stronger National Quarantine.

VfS"hNE ~
Mr.. John Ciddin, Netr YORK.
DEAR SIR In view of the yellow fever plague
now prevailing in somo sections of our country.
parnlyzing its business interests and cntailing n
loss Of millions to the country, the present
seems q fitting time to call a halt and to formu-
late plans that will in future prevent this
dread exotic disease from landing on our
shores. That n single case OF yellow fever
should exist to-day in the United States is an
outrage; n reflection on the intelligence Of
Americans and u disgrace to their Government.
Aside from feelings Of sentiment and human.
ity, terror.stricken communities, dcpopulatcd
towns. and desolatcd hearth stones, and solely
rs a matter OF dollars and cents, this yellow
foyer crime should be throttlcd, for 1t has cost
the United States moro money in the past ono
hundred years than have all her wars. There ID
but one way to cope successfully with this
imported plague; that is. keep 1t out. TODD
this. n strong national quarantine is absolutely
essential. State organizations, no matter how
well conducted. frequently are hampered by
discordant elements at home and fail ut critical
periods to receive the cooperation of similar or
ganizations in adjoining States. They are pow
erless to prevent the destruction OF public prop
erty by wild. panic-stricken mobs, as WINS shown
recently at infected points. Hence the necessity
is apparent for a stronger national quarantine
system than now exists.
In this interest permit me to urge the impor-
lance Of the New York Chamber Of
giving consideration 20 the present grave condi-
tions prevailing and tho utter want of method
in the present national quarantine system. which
lacks the ability to keep out yellow fever. 1t Is
time that a better system BIO found, and that
practical business men get together to formulate
plans for an ironclad quarantine system. ono
that will stop forever the Importation of yellow
foyer. When such n plan is prepared lot 1t DO
sent to the Government for adoption and en-
forcement. No city In the Union is more deeply
interested in the formation Of a strong national
quarantine System than Now York. The yellow
fever plaques y s;d in The past have aSv D- cost her smid many y
millions. Hence 1T is fitting that the New York
feel assured that whatever tho above honorable
scourge will receive tho attention. support, and
deserved consideration of business men through
The health conditions Of the Southern States
will compare favorably with other desirable sec.
Now 0 Of the slS%h eb,, g aeS M II nG %o59 D esnsSP ha aUr
l Yor fn B eosSe%iPsh III siGT i and Hartford. These
epidemics Of which there is any record. with q
n neSve exists shss.i southern cites viii be IS free from
danger Of yellow fever epidcmics as New York;
responsible for the spread OF epidemic diseases.
as was England for the depredations of the Ala
bama. India has no more right to send US
cholera. nor Spain to send us yellow fever from
her ~cesspool Havana harbor, than to send a band
of pirates to devastate our coasts; and In
this interest I learn that an international
Health Parliament Is suggested to assemble at
Tampa in 1899. We cannot wait two years for
this conference of wisdom. The present de-
mands the earnest attention of patriots. Why
longer tolerate this crime OF ineficiency, and
ignorance when a conference of earnest bust.
ness men can formulate q plan to protect our
seaports from the foreign scourgef Now is the
time to act. II deferred until a frost destroys
sibly to be repeated another year with all tho
sorrows and fearful losses to the business in
dustries Of the country.
Trusting that you may deem tho subject Of
this letter Of sufficient Importance to present to
the honorable member Of the New York Cham
Der of l am. dear sir. very truly.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. 2. -.