The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-24
NATIONAL QUARANTINE AGAIN.

II Is a matter for surprise to find so
level-headed paper, so to speak, as the
Macon Ga, Telegraph advocating, as a
Southern journal, the surrender OF quar-
antine to the National government. The
Telegraph has its republican centraliza-
tion eanings, 1t Is true. but a regard for
the best interests of its State In the mat
ter of the absolute safety of the public
health would naturally be first with 1t.
| Such being the case 1t is difficult for
| The Post to understand how the Telegraph
can feel that National quarantine would
be more effective than State or local con
| troi-eapecially in view of the facts relat-
| ing to the epidemic at Brunswick in its
own State in 1892, These facts are worthy
of extended public consideration.
on reliable authority IL is stated that In
1892 ut Brunswick, or near there. sus-
picious case of fever was found. 1t was
diagnosed by the local authorities as yell
low fever and was isolated several miles
in the country. A young physiciaa of the
marine hospital service undertook 10
handle the emergency. He visited the case
in the country, declared 1t was not yellow
fever and that there was no necessity for
quarantine He returned to his hotel in
Brunswick and told the citizens of the
town there was no danger. In less than
five days he was himself taken sick and,
in three or four days after. died with yell
low feyer-and the epidemic spread at
once
This was AN illustration of what Is to be
expected from the marine hospital servi.s
and National quarantine!
The Telegraph now thinks that the prob
ability OF war with Spain adds to the rea-
sons and necessity for National control of
our Southern ports In the way of quaran-
tine. To The Post the very reverse seems
to be the case Is there n man of ordinary
intelligence in the South who does not
believe that in the event of war the Ma
tional government will subordinate all
other Interests to the naval and military
necessities, or rather supposed necessities.
of the country? Would the public health
stand i'll the way of any Intercourse be-
tween our coasts and those of Cuba that |
the Federal authorities might deem neces- |
sary in carrying on its war operations?
While the eXigances OF the strug gle |
might demand certain exposure of certain |
ports, they need not be used to sweep away |
the protection which the States now have |
against each other. More than at any other |
time there would exist the necessity for an |
uninterrupted and untrammelled local CON
troi. There would be no reason In adding
TO the horrors of war the horrors of yell
low fever epidemic in the interior of the
south But would the marine service, CON
trolled by the war and naval service ma
turally. be disposed to guard the various
Southern communities as would the local
authorities, under the circumstances or
exisencies suggested? Hardly.
The Telegraph says that Senator Bacon
quarantine was not sectional question"
He was rlght-it is local question and In
the South vital question above all others.
In the event of war not a Spanlard may
land on Southern soil, not n Spanish ship
threaten Southern port but II the Ma
ional government controls the quarantine
he South is likely to prove the only sec
ion In the Union upon which Will dis
lstrously fall the effects OF war.
II Is singular that the great State OF
feorgia for the sake OF saving the few
ioilars that State quarantine might cost,
$ DESTROYS of shifting the care OF the
seaith and lives OF the citizens OF the I
south upoa an unsympathetic and really
Inefficient branch OF the National govern
nent!