The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-10
oUlBBLING OVER QUARANTINE.
FIGHT IN THE MOBILE CONVENTION
SPIRITED.

Delegates Who Favor Turning the
Matter over to the National Gov
eminent Appear to BE in Major
ity--DeIegate From Texas Declares
His State VIII Not submit to Fed
ernI Interference-NF. knowles of
Atlanta Making "a Hard Fight in
Favor of the Government System.
Mobile Ala, Feb. 9-The South Atlantic
and Gulf States Quarantine Convention
met at 10 o'clock this morning. With 80
delegates present from the states covered
by the title. After the opening prayer,
Gov. Johnston of Alabama was made tenn
porary chairman, and welcomed the lele-
gates in the name of the state. His con-
GLIDING sentence was: 'All we ask is that
all states take hold of this quarantine
question and settle it,"
DIR. A. ]. Moody was elected secretary.
A committee OH permanent organization
being appointed, reported in favor of DR..
c. P. Wilkinson of Louisiana as perma-
nent chairman. The report was adopted.
The committee also reported in favor of
adopting so much of the executive com
mittees prepared programme as would
bring to the front the relations of state
and national governments to quarantine.
A minority report was offered in favor of
following the prepared programme. The
majority report was adopted by deci-
siye vote.
This result is regarded as victory for
the national quarantine element of the
convention.
The first topic taken up under this re-
port was quarantine, with reference to In
ternational rights and interests, a paper
on that subject being read by ex-Minister
Hannis Taylor of Mobile. Five minutes
discussion followed.
The committee on credentials asked leave
to report later, the delegates present being
conceded the prirna facie right to seats on
the floor of the convention. The conven-
ton adjourned until $780,
At the afternoon session, the chair APP
pointed committees to recommend the APP
poiftment of medical inspectors at vari-
Gus foreign ports. DR.. John Il. Hamilton
of Illinois is chairman.
Hon. H. Farrar Of New Orleans read
paper on Federal and State Powers as to
Quarantine" He held that the police pow
ers of the state have never been delegated
TO the federal government. There Is no
poWer in Congress TO pass quarantine laws.
II is a reserved right of the states. Con-
gress has authority to pass quarantine
laws controlling commerce between states
and other nations, but not otherwise. The
rule limiting papers to twenty minutes
was reconsidered and abrogated, and Mr..
Farrar concluded, being frequently APP
plauded.
In discussion which followed a great va
riety of opinion was expressed. Ex-Con-
gresham Clarke of Mobile thought 1t ra-
Their Inconsistent that we should continue
ally be asking the federal government for
aid and still deny to that government
powers to aid.
Dr. s. A. Robinson of New York argued
that the quarantine was a common cause
against common foe.
DR. Smith of Texas said his state did
not want federal interference, and was not
going TO have it.
did not the Governor of Texas ask the
federal government TO stamp out tie
smallpox at Eagle Pass?"
Delegate-Gov. Hogg?
DR.. Smith-"Oh He was not RESPONSE
BILE"
DIR. w. A. Blount of Georgia said the
situation was one that Georgia could not
meet. What is wanted Is something
stronger than shotgun quarantine. lie ia
vored going to the general government to
get the assistance needed.
John B. Knox of Admission, Ala, Nor
man Walker of New Orleans, DR.. Rob
bins of Vicksburg Miss, Mayor Collier
of Atlanta, Hannis Taylor of Mobile, all
upheld the necessity and right of federal
protection.
Mr. Knowles of Atlanta offered a reso-
luton condemning the state, county and
municipal quarantine, and calling on Con-
gress 10 establish a uniform system of
quarantine.
A discussion followed, criticising state
quarantines, and in defense thereof. Rail-
road men present gave their experience,
which showed that in some instances I'M
der state quarantine, traffic had been
entirely suspended during the late cpl
ternic; in other instances traffic was con-
tinued successfully.
A committee on resolutions was then
appointed
A partial report was made by the COM
rnittee on credentials.
The convention adjourned until Z o'clock.
The night session was devoted TO the
consideration of a paper by Hon. P. w.
Meldrim of Savannah upon Quarantine
and Commerce From Local Standpoint"
the position being similar to that upheld
by Mr.. Farrar. Strong opposition was
shown in the discussion which followed,
IN which j. NJ Faulkner and W. f. Van
diver of Montgomery, and T. G.. Bush of
Admission, Ala, led All contended that
state, county and municipal quarantine
being a failure last summer, a national
quarantine is required to afford proper
protection and restore the confidence of
the people