The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-11-14

Chattanooga, Tenn, November g.
Almost 300 delegates representing four
teen southern states faced Governo.
John I. Cox, today when he called to
order the Southern Conference on
Quarantine anu immigration.
Governor Cox explained the object
Of the gathering to be to prevent the
coming TO the south of the pauper md
criminal classes from Europe which
now are focking to the west and north
west, also to provide for uniform legis-
latiOn by the southern states which
should have the approval of the nat
ional congress and thus have the force
of constitutional law SO that a citizen
going to any part of the south in times
of epidemic should know exactly what
conditions he would meet.
Senator ]. B. Frazier, of Tennessee,
advocated federal control of maritime
quarantine suggesting that if infection
from sources could be kept from our
shores, the more difficult question of
interstate quarantine would be simpli-
fled and possibly eliminate the PROB
lem.
Governor VarGaman, who made The
first response % the address of well
come, was received with prolonged ap-
plause. He stated his idea to be that
the absolute control of all seaports
should be vested in the federal govern
ment. But l am unwilling" said the
governor, ito surrender to the fede, al
government in times of epidemic, or
any other time, the control of the af-
fairs Of Mississippi. l believe in the
good Gid democratic doctrine that the
powers of government have their
PURGE in the consent of the governed.
The tendency of the times is toward
the concentration of authority a
Washington. The respect for the pride
and independence and power of pri-
vate citizenship is retrograding. [
want to warn this convention against
taking any steps which will trample
upOl the autonomy of our states. |
believe in TIE doctrine of state
rights
Regarding the subject of immigra-
ton, Governor Vardaman said:
No country ever needed home max
ing, home owning, white citizens more
than the southern states today. Negro
labor, which hitherto has performed
the work in our cotton and cane fields,
is becoming absolutely worthless. It's
place must be filed. l would rather
wait, let our fields lie idle for a time
than to fill up our land with men who
are not capable of understanding our
institutions, who cannot be asSimilat-
ed and absorbed into our citizenship -
After the appointment of committees
on credentials and permanent organl-
zation 4 recess vas taken.
The report Of the committee on per-
manent organization which was pre-
sented at the opening of the afternoon
session Was adopted 1t suggested
Governor John I. Cox, of Tennessee
as permanent chairman of the conEen-
ton and vice chairman from each
state. The permanent secretary nam
&c vas Hon. Thomas K. Bruner, of
North Carolina.
Governor r. B. Glenn, of North Car
DINA, was introduced to make the first
formal address IF the conference. His
subject was, "The South, It's Past,
Present, and Future"
Governor Glenn made a rapid sketch
of the growth Of the United States,
covering the last three hundred years.
He illustrated by quoting many Stats
tics. To-day he said, "the United
States is the richest nation on earth,
respected and honored by all the world
And the President of the United States
is the best known and the most re-
| spected ruler on earth"
The response to the sentiment was
an outburst of applause which lasted
! fully two minutes. The speaker drew
| attention to the growth and wealth OF
the south, emphasizing his claims by
figures covering many lines of indus.
try. He reviewed the desolation
wrought by the Civil war and the re.
construction period in the south and
noted her growth to the present era
of prosperity.
The report of the committee on ere
dentia!s which mad been delayed, fol
lowed Governor Glenn's address. rhi:
report provided that the representation
from each state should be according t6
the Congressional representation o
each state. These recommendation:
brought d discussion for an hour. Ths
question of representation was settles
by giving each state ten votes. Tn,
seating of the Cnio delegation was de
feated ninety to thirty, several staIe'
refusing to vote.
Surgeon General Wyman OF the Unit
ed States marine hospital service va
then introduced and spoke on the sub
ject, yellow Fever-Its Prevention
and Cure"
| The discussion OF DR.. Wyman's pa
~