Speech #520113795

I desire to make some suggestions in regard to the bill. I think it is somewhat loosely drawn and might have been greatly improved as a bill to adopt and supplement State quarantine regulations and to aid in their execution. So far as the section that I understand is under discussion is concerned. by which it is proposed to authorize the President whenever it shall appear to him that. notwithstanding the quarantine defense. the danger from yellow fever and cholera is so increased by immigration that a suspension of the same is demanded in the interest of the public health. to suspend immigration from such countries and for such period of time as may deem necessary. I have no objection to it. although I wish now to say in regard to this section and in regard to a bill which has been reported from the Committee on Immigration. Senate bill 3513. for the suspension of immigration for one year. which I suppose is advocated partly upon the ground that it is necessary to protect this country against cholera. I have not a particle of faith in being able to protect the country against cholera by the suspension of immigration. Cholera is no respecter of persons. It enters the hovel and the ]:alace. It enters the city and the country. It followed the immigration to California in 1848 out from the Missouri River onto the plains and into the Rocky Mountains and attacked its vicims in the pure air of the great plains. In my judgment cholera may come to this country as well in the cabin as in the steerage. It may be brought as well by the American citizens as by subjects of foreign countries. It may be brought as well by the subject of a foreign country who comes to this country to visit the country. It may be brought as well by vessels and those who come for a temporary sojourn in the United States as by those who come here to make their home in this country and become permanent residents. So I have not a particle of faith. I repeat. in being able to protect this country against the coming of cholera by simply suspending immigration. I shall not attempt to suggest all the amendments I think might be made to the pending bill. but I call the attention of the Senator from Tennessee to some clauses of the bill. I fins in section 2 a provision which requires vessels clearing at foreign ports to obtain from the consul. viceconsul. or other consular officer a bill of health. in duplicate. in the form prescribed by the Marine Hospital Service and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury.