The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-16

WASHINGTON, March 15.-After the
passage to-day of numerous bills from
the general calendar, the Senate began
the consideration of a measure pro-
viding for national system of quaran-
tine. Little beyond the reading Of the
bill was accomplished.
The deplorable death of Mrs. Thurs
ton, wife of the junior Senator from
Nebraska, Hon. John Nj. Thurston, was
made the subject of a touching ref
erence by the blind chaplain in mis- in
vocation at the opening of the Senate )
session to-day.
Upon the motion of Allen CThurston's
colleague from Nebraska) the prayer
was ordered printed in the Record.
Gear of Iowa, Chairman of the Pa
cific Railroads Committee called up
bill authorizing the Secretary OF the
Treasury to effect an adjustment be-
tween the United States and the Sioux
City and Pacific Railroad Company III
relation to bonds issued by the Uaitei
States in aid of the construction of the
railroad. and asked that it be passed.
Objection was made by Morgan Of
Alabama. who moved that the bin he
recommitted TO the committee.
He was supported by Harris Of Kan
sas
Allen of Nebraska was inclined to the
belief that the bill provided the best
solution of the problem presented.
The bill was submitted to the com
mittee without objection.
Bills were passed as follows: To es-
tablish a lighthouse and fog signal at
Point Arguello, Cal, at a cost of $50
Co., to provide for a monument to
mark the sight of the Fort Phil kear-
ney massacre; to extend the uses of
the mail service, the plan being TO
adopt the return postal card of the
United States Economic Company; 16r
the purchase of land and the construc-
ton thereon of an asylum for insane
Indians near Canton, S. D., at a cost
not exceeding $4,000, and to author
ize the President to appoint and retire
David McMurtrie Gregg, late captain
of the Sixth United States Cavalry,
with the rank and grade of Captain.
The national quarantine bill-unfin-
ished business-was laid before the
Senate at length.
Vest of Missouri. in charge of the
bill. offered the following new para
graph as a committee amendment:
Nothing in this act shall be con-
strued to interfere with the right OF
any State to protect it's citizens from
infectious or contagious diseases by
such rules ard regulations as the au
thorities of said State may deem neces-
sary, and which do not conflict with
the rules and regulations made by the
Secretary of the Treasury as hereinbe-
fore provided to prevent the introduce
ton of infectious or contagious dis
eases into the United States from for
eign countries, or the spread OF such
diseases from one State, Territory or
the District of Columbia into another
State, Territory or the District of Coi1
umbia.''
Sewell of New Jersey opposed the bill,
maintaining that it placed too much
power in the hands of one mantle
surgeon of the Marine Hospital service
Cafferey of Louisiana opposed the po-
sition taken by SeweH He held that a
uniform system in filing an epidemic
or plague was absolutely necessary,
and could be had only through the
national Government.
In response to the intimation Of Sew
ell that the Southern States were actu-
ated by mercenary motives in support
ing the pending BILL Vest sharply point
ed out that the greatest opposition to
the bill had come from the Southern
States
Vest, replying further to SeweIl,
asked whether the United States Gov
eminent should stand helpless and see
itself Sighted and it's commerce Grip
pied or destroyed lest the reserved
rights of the States might be invaded
or destroyed. He maintained that The
United States had sovereign power to
act in the matter of quarantine.
AT the conclusion of Vests remarks
the quarantine bill was laid aside. and
measure providing that United States
Marshals and District Attorneys should
continue to fiji their respective offices
until the appointment and quaiiics ton
OF their successors was passed.
on motion Of Fairbanks of Indiana
the Senate, at 3:45 p. m, went into
executive session.
At 5:45 p. m. the Senate adjourned.