The Anaconda standard., 1898-03-16
NUMEROUS BILLS PASSED
Senate Begins Consideration of
the Quarantine Law.
FOR A NATIONAL SYSTEM
Sewell of New Jersey Opposed the Bill
on the Ground That 1t Placed Too
Much Power in the Hands
of the Surgeon General.

Washington, March 15.-After the
passing to-day of numerous bills from
the general calendar, the senate began
The consideration of measure for
national system of quarantine. Little
beyond the reading of the bill was ac-
complished. The deplorable death of
Mrs. Thurston. wife of the junior sena-
tor from Nebraska, Hon. John NJ.
Thurston, was made the subject of a
touching reference by the blind chap
lain in his invocation at the opening of
the senate's session to-day. Upon the
motion of Mr.. Allen CHR. Thurston's
colleague from Nebraska), the prayer
was printed in the record.
a bill to regulate the collection and
disbursement of moneys arising from
leases made by the Seneca nation to
New York Indians was passed.
Mr.. Gear of Iowa, chairman of the
Pacific railroads committee. called up
bill authorizing the secretary of the
treasury to effect an adjustment be-
tween the United States and the Sioux
City < Pacific Railroad company, in
relation to bonds issued by the United
States in aid of the construction of the
railway. and asked that IL be passed
Objection was made by Mr. Morgan of
Alabama, who moved that the bill be
recommitted to- the committee. He was
supported by Mr. Harris of Kansas.
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska was inclined to
the belief that the bill provided the
best solution Of the problem presented.
The bin was submitted to the commit
tee without objection.
Other bills We're passed as follows:
To establish a lighthouse and fog sig
nal at Port Arguello, Cal, at cost of
$4,000; to provide for monument to
mark the site of the Fort Phil Kearney
massacre; TO extend the uses of the
mail service. the plan being to adopt
the return postal card of the United
States Economic company; for the pur-
chase of land and the construction
there of an asylum for insane Indians
near Canton. S. D., at a cost not ex-
ceeding $I5, ,000 and to authorize the
president to appoint and retire David
McMurtrie Gregg. late captain of Sixth
United States cavalry. with the rank
and grade of captain.
The national quarantine bill--the un-
finished business--was laid before the
senate at length Mr.. Vest of Missouri,
in charge of the bill. offered the fol-
lowing new paragraph, as a committee
amendment: Nothing in this act shall
be construed to interfere with the right
of any state to protect it's citizens from
infectious or contagious diseases by
such rules and regulations as the au-
thorities of said state may deem nee
essary. and which do not conflict with
the rules and regulations adopted by
the secretary of the treasury as here
inbefore provided, TO prevent the intro
ducton of infectious or contagious dis
eases into the United States from for
ei2n countries or the spread of such
diseases from one state, territory or
District Of Columbia into another state.
territory or District OF Columbia"
Mr.. Sewell OF New Jersey opposed the
bill. maintaining that it placed too
much power in the hands of one man
the surgeon Of the marine hospital
service.
Mr.. caffery Of Louisiana opposed the
position taken by Mr. Sewell. He held
that a uniform system in fighting an
epidemic or plague was absolutely nee
essary. and could be had only through
the national government.
In response 10 the ntimation of Mr.
Sewell that the Southern states were
actuated by mercenary motives in sup
porting the bill, Mr.. Vest sharply point
cd out that the greatest opposition to
the bill had come from the Southern
states Mr. Vest. replying further to
Mr. Sewell. asked whether the United
States government should stand help
less and see its people slaughtered and
its commerce crippled or destroyed lest
the reserved rights Of states might be
invaded or DESTROYED. He maintained
that the United States had sovereign
roWer 70 act in the matter OF quaran-
tine.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Vests re-
marks the quarantine bill was laid
aside. and a measure providing that
United States marshals and district at
tornevs should continue to fiji their re-
spective offices until the appointment
and qualification of their successors.
was passed.
on motion Of Mr.. Fairbanks of Indi-
ana the senate then, at S:45 r. m, went
into executive session. At 5:45 y. m.
the senate adjourned until tomorrow.
IN THE HOUSE.