The Portland daily press., 1898-03-16
IN THE SENATE.
A National Quarantine Bill Discussed
Slightly.


Slightly.
Washington, March l5.-After the pas
sage today Of numerous bills from the
general calendar, the Senate began to
consider the measure providing for q
national system of quarantine. Little be-
yoDd the reading of the bill was DONE
some desultory discussion occurring on
an amendment by the committee, but no
progress being made on the general bill.
Washington, March l5.-The deplorable
death Of Mrs. Thurston, wife of the Junior
Senator from Nebraska, Hon. j. NJ.
Thurston, was made the subject of touch
ing reference by the blind chaplain in
his invocation at the opening OF the Sen
ate today. Upon the motion of Mr.. Allen,
Mr.. Thurston's colleague from Nebraska,
the prayer was ordered printed in the
Record.
A bill to regulate the collection and
disbursements of moneys arising from
losses made by thu Seneca nation, to New
York indians was passed.
A joint resolution authorizing the Pres
ident to appoint ex-Naval Cadet I. ID.
Parker, as an assistant engineer in the
navy was agreed to.
Other bills were Epassed as follows:
Authorizing the Secretary of War to pre-
pare estimates for the Improvement of the
harbor of Lynn, Mass for the relief of
the Portland Company of Portland, Me. !;
to provide for monument to mark the
-,~qkl H. lLs oocoor
to extend the uses of the mail service,
the plan being to adopt the return postal
card Of the United States Economic COM
pany.
Mr.. Gear, of Iowa, chairman OF the
Pacific rail road committee called up a
bill authorizing the secretary OF the treas
ury to affect an adjustment between the
United States and the Sioux City and
Pacific Railway company in relation to
bonds issued by the United States in aid
of the construction of the railway and
asked that it be passed. Objection was
made by Mr.. Morgan of Alabama, who
moved that the bill be reoommitted to the
committee. He was supported by Mr..
Harris Of Kansas.
Mr. Allan of Nebraska was inclined TO
believethe bill provided the best solution
Of the problem presented. The bill was
recomInitted to the committee without
objection.
The national quarantine bill the unf1n-
ished business, was laid before the Senate
and read. MIR. Vest of Missouri in charge
OF the bill, offered the following new par
agraph as committee amendment.
Nothing in this act should be construed
to interfere with the right Of any state to
protect its citizens from infectious or con-
tagious diseases by such rules and regula-
tien SIS ths authorities of said state may
see flt and which do not conflict with the
rules and reglations made by the secretary
of treasury, as herein before provided, to
prevent the introduction OF infectious or
oontagio a diseases into the United States
from foreign countries of spread of such
diseases from one state to another.
Mr.. Sewell of New Jersey opposed the
bill, maintaining that it placed / o much
power in the hands of one man, the sur
geon of the marine hospital service. He
regarded it as an interference with the
rights % the various states. 1t might, ne
said, be satisfactory to the people OF the
southern states but 1t would not be salts
factory to the people of the North, which
have the energy and money TO expend for
the projection of their own people.
Mr. Caffery of Louisiana opposed the
position taken by Mr.. Sewell. He held
that uniform system in fighting an ept-
demic OF plague was absolutely necessary
and that could be had only through the
national government. In reply to the IN
timation OF Mr.. Sewall that the southern
states were aotuated by mercenary
motives in supporting the bill Mr. Vest
shar ply pointed out that the greatest op-
position to the bill had come from the
southern states Mr.. Frye OF Maine said
that the absurdity of the present quaran-
tine system was illustrated at Phliadel-
phia where vessels. after having been In
spected without charge by the officials at
the national quarantine station had to be
subjec,e cd to q further examination by
state officials, for which fees were charged.
'tWell, what would you do about the
matter?" inquired Mr.. Sewall.
"If could have my way, !" replied Mr.
Frye, eI would place the entire subject
of quarantine under the control OF the
government as pilotage is placed.
9 Mr.. Vest, replying to Mr. Seweil. asked
whether the United States government
ought to stand helpless and see Its peo-
pie slaughtered and its commerce Grip
pied or destroyed less the reserved rights
of states might be invaded or DESTROYED.
He maintained that the United States
had sovereign power to act In the master
of quarantine. MIR. Vest said 1t had been
openly charged that during the yellow
fever epidemic of last year the embargo
of a quarantine had been placed by some
cities against others purely for CONNER,
cial reasons. Under a national system of
quarantine no such unfair advantage
could be taken.
The quarantine bill was then laid aside
and measure providing that the United
States marshals and district attorneys
continue to fill their Offices until the ap-
pointment and qualification of their sno-
ces sors, was passed.
The Senate then at g. As p, m. went into
executive session. At 5.25 the Senate ad-
journed.
ADMIT NAVAL GOODS FREE.