The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-10-14
. SCRANTON MISSISSIPPI FRIDAY. OCTOBER IA, 1s9S

demand that we care for
he whole body of the people-the
,oor, who are compelled to stay as
we'll as the rich, who are able to fly.
"Another serious complication is
he want Of personal and professional
between the State boards
If health. The Mississippi board |
mas publicly announced its skepticism
Jf the Louisiana health authorities,
and, further, gave evidence of refusal
to accept their reports Gy sending an
expert representative to New Orleans
to make personal and independent in
specton and report the same to Jack
son. Louisiana health guardians felt
affronted, and declined to give Missis-
sippi permission personally to inspect
their sick, and it is reported that
there was personal alteration be-
tween the medicos growing out of this
Interstate misunderstanding. This
sad state of affairs has destroyed pub
lie confidence. When doctors disa-
gree, what are poor laymen to do?
But while the Esculapian war be-
tween the States goes on the disease
Is introduced, panic spreads, COM
mcrce is Frustrated, values decrease.
men arc bankrupt, and general de-
moralization ensues.
"The suggestion, as a sure safe
guard, that quarantine against New
Orleans should he established the first
OF May and continue until frost, is
not complimentary to the medical pro-
fession, and means the commercial
degeneracy of Mississippi. The plain
English of that system is, that Mis-
sissippi Quarantines against the de-
cet and conceit of Louisiana doctors.
And then it is no sure protection. Not
all our microbes come from the Crcs-
cent City. AS matter of fact, there
was an epidemic of fever in Memphis,
and another in Shreveport, when
there was no infection in New Or
leans. So, while we are guarding the
front door, the germs may creep In by
the side entrance. No. II the State
boards cannot establish condition
of perfect amity and confidence, max
ing quarantine lines Of State lines
will be almost worthless as protection
from disease. 1t may provide for a
few unemployed, but, in so doing,
there will be a destruction Of public
confidence.
If, therefore, our only protection is
ina quarantine, then 1t seems tn me
it will have to be national and under
stern Federal control. 1t must he a
part of the nations coast defense, and
for its maintenance the Federal gov
ernment should be held to rigid &c.
count. Any measure Of DIVIDED re-
sponsibility will, in my judgement,
be limited in its efficiency. No coop
erative scheme between independent
State and Federal authorities will
work harmoniously. That fact has
already been demonstrated to oul
countrys sorrow. II the nationa
government is held solely and strictly
accountable for the incoming Of vel
low fever, there will be no occasion
for expensive machinery maintained
by the several States, and the worl
will be efficiently done. The recent
outcry against the national authori
| ties on account OF so much and Sucl
fatal illness in the American army
and the readiness of the President Il
search out and locate the responsible
ity therefor, indicate the efficient ser.
vice that will be demanded. Men car
not be held to rigid account when tht
responsibility is too much divided
The Hon. James G. Blaine contendct
that we ought to own Cuba in ordel
to keep the yellow fever out OF th'
United States. Now that 1t is prac
tically under our control the nationa
government should be held resp0nsi
bic for the introduction OF infection
from those fcver-breedlng parallels
l would not contend over matters o
mere detail In any measure that ma.
be drafted, but for the principle OF ;
national quarantine under Fedora
control / am an earnest advocate.
"Some things we have learned from
the history Of this disease: lst. 1t |
not indigenous to the United States
1t Is an importation from the tropics
2nd. All parts Of our Southern coun
try below a certain altitude, are liabl
to the infection II the disease is In
ported. Certainly no community !
Mississippi can claim immunity bt
cause of boasted salubrlty. Holl.
Springs, one Of the highest an
healthiest points in the State suffere
scourge In 1878. 3rd. There is a ten
dency In the disease to assume mild
er type. The history Of 1897 Is mos
suggestive. 4th. Our people are stil
, afraid OF the yellow fever of 1858 ant
1878. II the physicians would onl!
change its name there would be les
occasion for alarm"
What fs the difference between
rooster, Uncle Sam and an old maid
The rooster says, cock-a-d0odlc.dC