The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-10-13
FEDERAL CONTROL OF QUAR-
TINE.

that it will be possible to solve the
problem of quarantine, and the part
the Federal Government should play
in it, satisfactorily to all, thereby
avoiding those legal and constitu-
tional questions which have stood in
the way heretofore.
That the entire Southern people
want a uniform and efficient quaran-
tine no one will dispute; nor is it
seriously disputed that the best re-
suits can be secured only through
turning this matter over to a central
authority that will be above local in
fuences or prejudices, will deal
equally by all and establish through
out the South an equally strong
quarantine. The chain is no strong
or than its weakest link; and every
Southwestern state is in danger OF
the invasion of disease from the neg
lect or carelessness of the health otfic-
ials Of neighboring state over whom
it has no control or discipline and
whose work it cannot even watch,
Nearly all of the Gulf and South At
lantic States have slipped up on
quarantine on one time or another.
Louisiana was guilty this time. Tex
as in 1908, Mississippi in 1897,
Florida in 1888 and Georgia in
1884. Under the present system
the States have not only to watch
Central and South America, Mexico
and the West Indies, but each other.
Every since 1897 the people of the
) Gulf and South Atlantic States have
tried TO solve the quarantine prob
lem. There has never been the
slightest doubt as to their wishes
but they have always been confront
ed with legal and constitutional OBJ
i, jections. Senators Morgan and En-
cry show hat this bugaboo can be
used no longer, and that the consti-
j.. tutlonal provisions relative to the
power of the States will not prevent
the Southern people from doing what
is SO manifestly to their advantage
and indeed the constitution would
be really different from what "Our
Fathers intended, if it prohibited
us from taking such action as is
necessary to keep out that danger
Gus enemy, the yellow fever.
Senator McEnery points out that
the lines between Federal and State
control of quarantine are clearly
marked and that the Federal Gov.
eminent has undoubted control over
quarantine with foreign countries
and to the matter Of the interstate
commerce. 1t is its duty to keep
infectious and contagious disease
out Of the country, and to maintain a
control over interstate commerce and
quarantines that will prevent the
squabbles end disagreements that
come with every fever outbreak.
Senator Morgan takes much the
same veiw, that the relative rights
and powers Of the Federal and Stale
Governments need not be brought
into the discussion; as the people Of
the Southern States, through their
legislatures, can give United States
whatever quarantine power may be
necessary for the protection OF the
South from the invasion of the di-
sease.
II would seem impossible there
fore, to secure united action in this
matter Of quarantine, giving the
Federal Government such power as
is now recognized to be necessary tx
assure a uniform system, and equa
protection to points without, in any
way, attacking the constitution OF
bringing about what 50 many per
sons fear Capitalization Of the gov
eminent. The two Senators men
TONED are stalwart democrats, OPP
posed 10 any surrender of the rescrv
ed rights Of the states, but recogniz
ing that more words should no
stand in the way Of what is SO neces
sary for the South's protection from
l infectious disease and the bushes
Generalization it causes, advocat
uniform guarantees in the hands o
,oon oLoxa 1ooo1 nra;udicoa and in