The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-16

Alabama river. in Wilcox county Alabama;
for the relief Of the Catholic church at Ma
con City, Mo-, which was occupied by the
federal troops during the civil war; TO au-
thorize the secretary of the interior to ad-
just and settle the accounts of the Kaskas-
kla, Peoria, Plaukeshaw and Wea Indians.
Mr. Gear, chairman of the Pacific Rail-
reads committee, called up a bill authoriz-
ing the secretary of the treasury to effect
and the Sioux City & Pacific Railway Com
pany in relation to 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. who
moved that the bill be recommitted to the
committee, He was supported by Mr.. Har-
rlS Mr.. Allen was inclined to believe that
the bill provided the best solution of the
problem presented. The bill was recon-
mitted to the committee without objection.
Other bills were passed as follows: To es-
tablish a lighthouse and fog signal at Point
Arguelo, Cal, at a cost of $4,000: to pro-
vide for monument to mark the site of
Fort Phil kearney massacre; to extend the
uses of the mail service, the plan being to
adopt the return postal card of the United
states Economic Company: for the pur-
chase of land and the construction thereon
or an asylum for insane Indians near Can
ton, s. D., at a cost not exceeding $4,000,
and TO authorize the President to appoint
and retire David McMurtrie Gregg, late
captain. Sixth United States Cavalry, with
the rank and grade of captain.
Inc national quarantine bill-the unfin-
ished business-was laid before the Senate
and read a length. Mr.. Vest, in charge of
the biH offered the following para
grapn as a COMMITTEES amendment: Moth
Ing in this act shall be construed to inter-
Iere with the right of any State to protect
lts citizens from infectious or contagious
diseases, by such rules and regulations as
the authorities of said State may deem nee
essaryi and which do not conflict with the
rules and regulations made by the Secre-
tary OF the treasury as hereinbefore pro-
yided, to prevent the introduction of in
fectious or contagious diseases into the
United States from foreign countries or the
spread of such disease from one State, Ter
ritory or the District of Columbia into an
other State, Territory or the District of
Mr.. Sewell opposed the bill, maintaining
that it placed too much power in the hands
Gf one man-the surgeon of the Marine
Mr.: Caffery opposed the position taken by
Mr.. SeWell. He held that uniform system
In fighting an epidemic or plague was an
absolute necessity, and that could be had
only through the national government.
In response to the intimation of Mr.; Sew,
ell that the Southern States were actuated
by mercenary motives in supporting the
pending bill Mr.. Vest sharply pointed out
come from the Southern States. Mr.. Vest.
replying further to Mr.. Sewell, asked
whether the United States government
slaughtered and its commerce crippled or
destroyed lest the reserved rights of States
might be invaded or destroyed. He main
tanned that the United States had sovereign
power to act in :he matter OF quarantine.
As further argument in favor of a ma
LlOnal quarantine, MT. vest SalQ II ndO DeeH
openly charged that during the yellow fever
epidemic of last year the embargo of
quarantine had been placed by some cities
against others purely for commercial rea-
sons. Under a national system of quaran-
tine no such unfair advantage could be
taken
At the conclusion of Mr.. Vests remarks
the quarantine bill was laid aside and
measure providing that United States mar
shals and district attorneys should continue
to fill their respective offices until the APP
pointment and qualification of their sue
ceSsorS was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Fairbanks the Senate
then at 3:45 p. M, went into executive ses-
sion. At 5:25 p. m. the Senate adjourned.