The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-05
MAY 0FFERIT TO GOVERNMENT
COUNCIL INCLINED TO PART WITH
QUARANTINE.

|
the station over to the Marine
Hospital Service-Citizens Ovid
ed, But Majority of the Aldermen
Favor the Change, and VIII Prob
ably Decide TO Make "a PROPOSE
ton to the GOvernment-AIder
man Graham Urged His Resolution
TO Place the Quarantine in New
Control.
| The surrender of Savannah's quarantine
station was thoroughly discussed at spe-
cial meeting of the City Council yesterday
afternoon. TO which the public generally
had been invited. When the discussion
grew spirited, 1t seemed those who talked
were against Council. a majority Of whom
| are supposed TO favor government control
of the station. There was a free express
sion of opinion from all the interests rep
resented, which included the shipping, rail-
roads and mercantile
Among those present, besides all the
members of Council. with the exception
of Aldermen Williams and schwarz, were:
Mr.. ]. r. Shelcon. Mr. Jacob Paulsen
Capt. D. G. Purse, Mr.. W. f. Wlmpy. Mr.
j. B. Chestnut, MIR. w. d. Krenson, Mr.
T. M. Cunningham, Capt. Beirne Gordon
DR.. L. A. Falligant, Mr. H. P. Smart Mr.
w. G. Cam. Col. G. A. Mercer, Col. j. H.
Estil Mr. d. b, Lester, Mr.. S. l.. Iaza-
ron, Mr.. b. Ehtlch, Capt w. w William
son, Capt. I'D. Gaudry, DR.. w. w. Owens.
Capt. John Flannery, Mr.. G. w. owens,
Mr.. John w. Golden, Mr. ]. J. Wilder
DR.. V. II. Taliaferro, Mr. S. Krouskoff,
Mr. II. NJ. Conner, Mr.. j. 8. Tyson, Mr. r.
d. baltimore, Mr. w G. Charlton, Mr.. ].
B. Moore, Mr. c. G. Dahl, DR.. Morrison,
Mr. selig Mende, Mr. John Lyons, Dr.
Crowther, DR.. Howklns, Mr.. W. II. Daniel,
Mr. l. D. LaRoche. DR.. w. F. May
! Chairs were arranged outside the rail-
ing for convenience. Nearly everybody
present was interested in the question,
some because of property and others be-
cause of family interests. Mayor Myers
said the question before the meeting was
| in the resolution recently introduced By
Alderman Graham and adopted by Coun-
| Gil. The resolution was read as follows:
Resolved, in view of the suggestion
that the United States marine hospital
service may be willing to take charge of
| and conduct the Savannah quarantine sta
ton, that this matter be taken up by the
committee OF the whole, with view TO the
ascertainment of the advisability and ex
pediency of the plan suggested, and re-
port thereon to Council
Mayor Myers stated that the desire Of
Council was to hear from all present be-
lieving an interchange of ideas the best
method to determine whether it was the
proper course to take up the matter OF
transferring the station to the govern,
ment. There was an evident desire to
hear from Mr.. H. P. Smart. owing to
his familiarity with quarantine matters
from official visits he has made to other
stations. Mr.. Smart said that his views
had already been expressed against gov
eminent control. in the newspapers, ana
he could not add much to what had al
ready been said. He felt keen interest
in quarantine, he said having been res
ident of Savannah for fifty years. He
knew about the yellow fever epidemics of
1854 and 1858, had seen the prevailing dis
ease in its worst phases, and knew how
difficult II is to handle.
Mr. Smart said ne had no acquaintance
with the workings of the marine hospital
service, under which it is proposed to put
Savannah's quarantine. Two years ago he
went 10 New Orleans with others for the
purpose of investigating sanitary condi-
TONS and also the mechanical operation
of the quarantine. He heard statements
from those in charge. and found the meth
DDS there to be different TO what they were
in Savannah. The New Orleans station is
controlled by the state board of health
while the local station Is under municipal
control. He heard statements from eleven
special surgeons sent by New Orleans TO
West Indian ports TO aid in the protection
of the city. He found that the New Or
leans station had a good disinfecting plant,
and explained the theory of il.
Mr. Smart drew a comparison between
the effectiveness of quarantine in Savan-
nah and at Brunswick when he was in
the lumber business, some year ago, by
stating that he could ship through Bruins
wick cheaper by 50 cents thousand feet
than through Savannah 1t was later ex-
planned by Alderman Graham taht this diff
ference existed because of the fact Bruins
wick had an inefficient quarantine officer
at that time He said vessels were al
lowed to enter the port without being de-
tanned as .ong as the regulations required.
Mr.. Smart concluded by saying that the
local station had been satisfactorily man
aged so far as he could learn, and I'M
less there are strong reasons for a change
he did not think it advisable for the city
to make it,
Several questions were asked about this
time, and to bring matters 20 a focus. Mr.
Krenson suggested that Alderman Ora
ham, who was well posted on the subject
give the meeting the benefit of his views
and also the conditions under which it is
proposed the city shah surrender the sta
zion to the control of the marine hospital
service. Alderman Graham had MANY pa
pers bearing on the subject, and in hand
ling the subject almost alone from the gov
ernments standpoint, he made a clear and
striking presentation of facts in favor of
the change, Notwithstanding he was re-
peatedly interrupted by iuterrogations
AT the outset Alderman Graham desired
TO know If there were any present who
did not believe in quarantine He did NOT
receive any response. He then went on 10
say that quarantine rs necessarily a bur
den on shipping, though the better the ar
rangements for prompt disinfectson tho
lighter is this burden. He said his opinion
is that as soon as the government got
control of the station. it would eouin il
with drst-caass apparatus, such as would
permit of the prompt dlsnfecton of YES
sells This would be a pronounced benefit 10
the port for the reasons vessels Womb he