The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-06

Washington, April By a vote of
POP to 20, the house today passed the
national quarantine bill. The bill
places he control of all quarantine sta
tons, grounds and anchorage under the
secretary of the treasury and directs
hat as soon as practicable after the
approval of TIE act he shall select and
designate such suitable places for them
n establish the same at such points,
on or near the sea coast of the United
States OH the Mexican border as in his
Judgment are best suited for the same,
in order to prevent the Introduction of
yellow fever into the United States.
The bill further gives the secretary Of
the treasury the right to establish a
quarantine station at the Dry TOrugas
Islands. and at such other points at or
near the seacoast mot to exceed four
in the aggregated as he deems neces-
sary.
The bill also provides that every
common carrier, engaged in Interstate
commerce, shall receive and carry
through any state or territory, Dassen-
gers, freight, and baggage which may
have been discharged and properly GER
tlhed in accordance with regulations
or the public health and marine hos
nFtal service and that every person in
trfprino with N. nhCt,1, -, o.I
r. or any passenger or any instru-
ntality Of commerce, in any such
rage or Journey, shall be guilty cf
.nisdemanor and Oh conviction may
punished by a fine not exceeding
hundred dollars OF be imprisoned
Il period not exceeding one year,
both, in the discretion of the court.
is provided that this section shall
ut be construed as giving authority
- any person to debark or unload
freight in any locality contrary to the
lawful regulations.
When the house ~re-cOnvened, Mr..
Williams, of Mississippi, reported a
rule from the committee On rules,
bringing before the house the national
quarantine bill, debate being limited
to four hours.
Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, face
tiously called the attention of the
house to the position assumed by the
leader of the minority reporting a rule
to consider a great constitutional
question which might with entire pro-
priety be considered for a week or
ven three weeks, the leader OF the mi
nority participating in the humor of
the situation.
Mr.. Williams, after the applause
died out, said that he would take oc-
casion to express his opinion, during
the course of the debate, of a code of
rules which required him, in order to
secure consideration of Il bill intended
to protect the women and children of
a third of the country from the ravages
of a foe more deadly than an armed
host, to resort to such a procedure.
Mr.. Bartlett, of Georgia, said he was
both opposed to the rule and the bill.
The rule was adopted.
Mr.. Brantley, of Georgia, saw under
the constitution the right of congress
to control, direct, and manage all
quarantine stations, grounds and an
chorages which it might establish and
no invasion Of the right of a state. He
said that the question presented ind
the bill was not one of constitutional
power, but one of policy, and that
policy made for humanity and the
health Of the whole people.
Mr.. Henry, of Texas, in opposition
to the measure, had read a telegram
from Jackson, Miss, stating that the
house appropriation committee had
agreed to unfavorabry report the ap-
preparation bill for the state board Of
health.
Mr.. Henry said representing three
million of people in part, he would re-
sist with all his might the aim of
congress to take away from the people
of Texas, the right to make their own
quarantine regulations. The govern
ment has not the power to interfere
with the quarantine regulations of the
state of Texas" he added.
MI. Bowers. of Mississippi, in favor
ing the bill said he believed it the plain
duty of the government to protect the
health of the people.
Mr.. Burleston, of Texas. resisted the
idea that quarantine regulations be-
ionged to the federal authority when
the states We're capable of policing
their own boundaries.
Mr.. BealI made the statement that
Texas did not want any Interference
with its quarantine laws.
81 am greatly interested in this bill"
said Mr.. Williams Of Mississippi, land
as it's author I want to say thai o
body, not an idiot, yer thought that
the state had any authority outside of