The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-16
REGULATION OF QUARANTINE.
The Rights of States Under Discussion
Lighthouse Near Wilmington.

WASHINGTON. March 15.-After the
passage to-day of numerous bills from
the general calendar, the Senate began
the consideration of the measure provid-
ing for a national system OF quarantine.
Little beyond the reading OF the bill was
accomplished. Some desultOry discussion
occurred on an amendment offered by the
committee. but no progress being made
on the general bill.
Among the bills passed were the follow
ing:
To authorize the Pensacola, Alabama.
and Tennessee railroad 10 erect a bridge
across the Alabama river, in Wilcox
county. Alabama.
To establish a lighthouse at the pitch
OF Cape Fear river, near Wilmington. y.
c.. at a cost not to exceed $4,000; to ex-
tend the uses of the mail service the
plan being to adopt the return postal
card of the United States Economic
Company.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
The National quarantine bill-the unfin-
ished business-was laid before the Sem
ate and read at length. Mr.. Vest. OF
Missouri in charge of the bill, offered the
following new passage as committee
amendment.
Nothing in this act shall be construed
to interfere with the right OF any State
to protect its citizens from infectious or
contagious diseases by such rules and
regulations as the authorities of said
State may deem necessary, ana which do
not conflict with the rules and regula-
tions made by the Secretary OF the
Treasury as heretofore provided, 10 pre-
vent the introduction of infectious or con-
,se,fo,tc Diseases into the Tinted States
from foreign countries or the spread OF
such disease from one State. Territory.
or the istrict of Columbia into another
State, Territory or the District Of Column
bia.
Mr.. Sewell OF New Jersey opposed the
bill Oh the ground that it put too much
power into the hands OF the surgeon
of the Marine Hospital Service He also
regarded il as an interference with the
rights OF various states.
Mr.. Caffery (of louisiana opposed the
position taken by Mr.. Sewell He held
that A uniform system in lighting an
epidemic or plague was absolutely neces-
sary. and could be had only through the
National Government
THE OBJECTION.
In response TO the intimatiop OF Mr..
Sewell. that the Southern States were &C
tuated by mercenary motives In support
ing the pending bill. Mr.. Vest sharply
pointed out that the greatest opposition
TO the bill had come from tho Southern
States.
Mr.. Frye (of Maine) stated that the alb
surdity OF the present quarantine system
was well illustrated at Philadelphia.
where vessels, after having been inspected
without charge by the officials al the
national quarantine station had To be
subject TO a further examination by state
officials, Cor which fees were charged.
"Well what would you do about the
matter?" inquired Mr.. Sewell.
IF | could have my way replied Mr..
Frye II would place the entire subject
OF quarantine under the control Of the
National Government. just as the pilo,age
IS placed"
Mr.. Vest. replying TO Mr.. Sewell. asked
whether the United states government
would stand helpless ard see its people
slaughtered and its commerce crippled
or DESTROYED lest the reserved rights of
States might be invaded. He maintained
that the United States has sovereign
mower 10 act In the matter of quarantine.
AS a further argument In favor OF a
national quarantine. Mr. Vest said 1t had
been openly charged that during the yell
low fever epidem'c Of last year the en-
bargo OF a quarantine had been placed
nv some cities against others purely for
commercial reasons. Under a national
system Of quarantine no such unfair ad-
vantage could be taken.
At the conclusion OF Mr. Vests re-
marks the quarantine bill was laid aside
and a measure providing that United
states rnarshals and district attorneys
continue to Ill their respective of,ces