The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-16
PRAYER Is RECORDED
Of the Senate Chaplain Rel
alive to Mrs. ThurSton.
SOUTHRONS MADE OVER
Vest and Cafery Oppose a
State Rights Sentiment.

Washington, March l5-After the pas
sage today Of numerous bills from the
general calendar, the senate began the
consideration of the measure providing
for q national system of quarantine. Lit
tie beyond the reading of the bill was
| accomplished.
The deplorable death of Mrs. Thurston,
wife of the junior senator from Nebraska,
Hon. John NJ. Thurston, was made the
subject Of a touching reference by the
| blind chaplain in his invocation at the
opening Of the session.
Upon the motion of Mr. Allen, Mr..
Thurston's colleague from Nebraska, the
prayer was ordered printed in the record.
BILLS PASSED.
A bill to regulate the collection and
disbursement of moneys arising from
leases made by the Seneca nation of New
York Indians. was passed.
Among the bills passed were the follow
ing: OF authorize the Pensacola, Ala
bama and Tennessee Railway company
TO erect q bridge across the Alabama
river in Wilcox county, Alabama for the
relief of the Catholic church at Macon
City, Missouri, which was occupied by
the federal troops during the civil war:
TO authorize the secretary of the interior
to adjust and settle the accounts of the
kaskaskia, Peoria, Piaukeshaw and Wea
Indians.
PACIFIC RAILROADS.
Mr.. Gear Qowa), chairman of the Pa
cific railroads COMMITTEE, called up a bill
authorizing the secretary of the treasury
70 effect an adjustment between the Unit
ed States and the Sioux City and Pacific
Railroad company in relation 10 bonds
issued by the United States in aid Of the
construction Of the railway, and asked
that it be passed.
Objection was made by Mr.. Morgan
(Aloa), who moved that the bill be re-
committed to the committee. He was sup
ported by Mr.. Harris (Kan)
Mr.. Allen (Neb.) was inclined to the
belief that the bill provided the best
solution of the problem presented. The
bill was submitted TO the committee with
out objection.
MORE BILLS PASSED.
Other bills were passed as follows:
To establish light house and fog sig
nal at Point Arguello, Cal. at a cost of
S0OsVVO, 10 pTONlQe lot a monument 10
mark the site Of the Fort Phil Kearney
massacre; to extend the uses of the mail
service, the plan being TO adopt the re-
turn postal card of the United States
economic company; for the purchase Of
land and the construction thereon of an
asylum for insane Indians near Canton, I
S. D., at a cost not exceeding SIS 900, and |
to authorize the president TO appoint and /
retire David McMurtrie Gregg. late cap /
tain Sixth United States cavalry, with |
the rank and grade of captain.
NATIONAL QUARANTINE.
The nationa Quarantine bill-the unfin- |
ished business-was laid before the senate
and read at length.
Mr.. Vest CHo) in charge Of the bill. |
offered the following new paragraph as
committee amendment:
Nothing in this act shall be construed |
to interfere with the right Of any state
to protect it's citizens from infectious or
contagious diseases by such rules and /
regulations as the authorities OF said !
state may deem necessary and which do |
not conflict with the rules and regulations /
made by the secretary of the treasury, /
as hereinbefore provided, TO prevent the 1
introduction of infectious or contagious !
diseases into the United States from for I
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 Columbia"
Mr.. Sewell IN. j. opposed the bill. main /
tanning that 1t placed too much power in !
the hands Of one man-the surgeon Of the 4
marine hospital service.
Mr.. CafTery Ga-) opposed the position 1
taken by Mr.. SeweI He held that a .
uniform system in fighting an epidemic or
plague was absolutely necessary, and /
could he had only through the national /
government.
In response to the intimation OF Mr.
Sewell that The southern states were ac-
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 the southern
states.
Mr. Vest, replying further TO Mr. Sc
well, asked whether the United States
government should stand helpless and see
fts people slaughtered and it's commerce
crippled or destroyed lest the reserved
rights OF states might be invaded OF de-
stroyed. He maintained that the United
States had sovereign power 70 act in the
matter OF quarantine.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Vests remarks
the quarantine bin was laid aside and
measure providing that United States
rnarshaIs and district attorneys should
continue 70 I'll their respective Offices
Until the appointment and qualification OF
their successors was passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Fairbanks Gnd) the
senate then at 2.t5 o. m went into exec
utive session
POWderIy Not Vet Confirmed
Washington. March f5-The nomination