The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-08-12
Journal goal gtbs ysratur srin sgruu
Shot Guns VS.. Humanity and
Common Sense.


Common Sense.
The unreasoning panic and cowardly
inhumanity that is developed during the
prevalence Of yellow fever gives rise to
the reflection that it is incumbent on the
State and National authorities to adopt
some sort OF regulations to put check
on the impositions that are practlced in
the name of caution and prudence.
The idea that an afflicted community
is entitled to aid and assistance is en-
tirely ignored, and every little cross road
hamlet imagines it has the RICH. to stop
the U. s. mails and interrupt freight
traffic with IMMUNITY. The fact that
money; medicines and supplies are mat
tiers of life and death to thousands of
people, is ruthlessly disregarded by vii
lage that is already safe by it's very isola-
tion. and the necessaries of life are cut
off from ten thousand families. because,
forsooth, ten individuals in their ignor-
ance and selfish cowardice fear to have
freight train or mail coach pass by their
doors.
1t is all very well for the various par
ishes. towns and communities to say that
people shall not stop within their limits.
ii they regard this as necessary for the
public protection, but they should not be
allowed to stop the passage of trains
through their borders.
II the people OF any community are so
scared that they will not receive their
freight or mail after all proper disinfect-
ing and fumigating precautions have
been taken, let them notify the railroad
authorities to that effect, and their wishes
in the matter can be carried out.
But do not allow them to cut off supplies
from people who need and want them.
This can all be arranged and systema-
tized by little common sense law on the
subject. The fears OF the masses will be
greatly sflayed thereby, and much panic
and hardship prevented. The law should
provide that as soon as yellow fever is
officially proclaimed to exist at any point.
the carrying OF passengers from such
point should at once be prohibited, AMI
health officers or detail of the State
Guard should be placed on each train to
see that no persons except the regular
railroad crews shall be allowed on any
train. As still further precaution it
might be provided that the train crews
shall be changed at the end of each d.
vision. and the danger of contact with
infected persons absolutely prevented.
Where The cars are thus officially in
spected, and the mails and freights fumi-
gated, disinfected and sealed until it
reaches its destination. it will give all
the protection necessary. The stopping
OF all travel by the cars would eliminate
every element of danger. Then the pro-
vision that nobody but officers OF the law,
health officers and physicians should De
allowed on trains during such times,
wouid be matter of assurance to the
public. and in large measure restore con-
fidence where panic now prevails. The
lack Of these safeguards we believe to
be the main cause of the present opposi-
ton to the moving of the trims. Let
the people understand that the strong
arm of the State and National govern
ment is being used to protect them, and
there will be no trouble in this matter.
This is shown by the universal satisfac-
ton and relief that is expressed at the
U. S. authorities assuming control in
New Orleans OF the present yellow fever
crisis. A uniform and sensible quaran-
tine Law is the crying need of our civil
zation.