The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-16
[UIBBLING OVER QUARANTINE.
IENATE TAKEsUP THE BILL FOR A
] NATIONAL SYSTEM.

ggr. Vest Offers an Amendment Pro-
yiding That States Shall Have the
Right TO Impose Restrictions
which Do Not Interfere With the
National LaSv-Nir. sewelI Opposes
the Measure-1Ir. Vest Makes an
Extended Argument in Its Behalf.
washington, March 15.-After the pass
ice to-day of numerous bills from the
Consideration Of the measure providing a
aatioual system of quarantine. Little be-
-ond the reading OF the bill was accom-
-ished. Some desultory discussion ac-
.urred on an amendment offered by the
.ommittee. but no progress was made
IN the general bill.
Among the bills passed were the. fol-
ewing: To authorize the Pensacola, 'Ala-
Ama and Tennessee Railway Company
10 erect bridge across the Alabama river
81 Wilcox county, Alabama.
TO establish light house at the mouth
St cape Fear river, near Wilmington, N.
t.. at a cost not to exceed $4,000.
To extend the uses of the mail service,
the plan being to adopt the return postal
ard of the United States Economic Com
Iany.
The national quarantine bill-the unfin-
shed business-was laid before the Senate
and read at length.
Mr.. Vest of Missouri, in charge of the
ill, offered the following new paragraph
;s a committee amendment.
Nothing in this act should be construed
% interfere with the right of any state
% protect it's citizens from infectious or
Contagious diseases, by such rules and
equations as the authorities of said state
nay deem necessary, and which do not
conflict with the rules and regulations
made by the Secretary of the Treasury
IS hereinbefore provided, to prevent the
Introduction of infectious and contagious
gisea ses into the United States from for
agn countries, or the spread of such dis
Eases from one state, territory of the Dis
4ict of Columbia into another state, ter
itory or the District of Columbia"
Mr. Sewell of New Jersey opposed the
5ll on the ground that it put TOO much
p4wer into the hands of the surgeon of the
marine hospital service. He also regarded
30 as an interference with the rights of
trious states.
Mr. Caffery of Louisiana opposed the po-
zion taken by Mr.. SeWel He held that
q uniform system in fighting an epidemic
o. plague was absolutely necessary, and
rat it could be had only through the ma
uonal government
In response to the intimation of Mr..
hat he
lated by mercenary motives in supporting
the pending bill, Mr.. Vest pointed out that
ne greatest opposition to the bill had
CAme from the Southern states
Mr.. Frye of Maine said that the absurd
ny of the present quarantine system was
" ell illustrated at Philadelphia, where yes
sells, after having been inspected without
charge by the official at the national quar-
antine station. had to be subjected to a
further examination by state officials for
W hich fees were charged.
We'll, what would you do about the
rnatter?" inquired Mr.. Sewell.
If 1 could have my way" replied Mr.
j rye, II would place the entire subject OF
qIarantine under the control of the ma
tlonal government, just as pilotageA is
liaced
Mr.. Vest, replying further to Mr.. SeweIl
aslked whether the United States govern
mfnt should stand helpless and see its
PEOPLE slaughtered and its commerce Grip
ped or destroyed, lest the reserved rights
olf states might be invaded or destroyed
Ne maintained that the United States had
Sovereign power TO act in the matter OF
qtlarantine. AS a further argument in
e fvor of a national quarantine Mr.. Vest
sEaid it had been openly charged that dur
Ng the yellow fever epidemic of last
bar the embargo of quarantine had
Heen placed by some cities against others
purely for commercial reasons Under a
Rational system of quarantine no such un-
Vair advantage could be taken
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Vests remarks
4he quarantine bill was laid aside and a
neasure providing that United States mar
Ehals and district attorneys should con-
tNinue to fill their respective Offices unit
Mhe appointment and qualification of their
Wuccessors was passed.
Z On motion OF Mr.. Fairbanks of Indiana
he Senate then, at 3:45 o'clock, went into
executive session, and at 5:25 o'clock ad.
ourned.