Page:Senate Reports 1892–’93.djvu/799

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I am credibly informed of these methods, and that many outside of fishing and smuggling circles know of them. Captains of steamers running along the coast from Charlotte Harbor to Tampa, etc., tell me that they often see about daybreak this class of vessels, which they know to be Spanish, coming out of the inlets, bayous, and passes. They have no business there, except to smuggle. If this smuggling was limited to articles of commerce it would be bad enough, but when terrible infective disease is smuggled into the midst of an unsuspecting people in this manner it is in the highest degree culpable.

Florida, with an extent of seacoast greater than that of any other State bordering on the Atlantic or Gulf, is more exposed by these smugglers than any other State in the Union.

A condition of things has increased this illegal business very much within the last few years. Several years ago Spain put so high a duty on the importation of live fish from the States that the many fishing smacks, which up to that time had been doing a nice paying live-fish business from Key West and other places of Florida, were obliged to suspend business. A large portion of those little vessels were then sold to live-fish merchants in Havana, and since then there have been not far from fifty of these light-draft, fast-sailing vessels going out of the harbor of Havana. Being nearly all built in the United States, in American waters, they are taken for American vessels till they are made to show their papers.

During that period, or the last five years, a large and rapidly increasing population has appeared in Florida, and particularly on the Gulf coast, which requires the very articles to be found in Havana.

It is well known that where there is a demand for an article the article is very sure to be obtained in some way, either by fair or foul means.

Finally, I would say, that in view of the facts stated, and as a result of my personal observations as sanitary inspector at Havana, I am decidedly of the opinion that one or more lines of steamers to Florida ports, under proper sanitary supervision, and all the restrictions mentioned in the first part of this paper, whereby danger of their conveying disease is reduced to a minimum, will do much to suppress this illegal traffic by transporting the articles required.

The danger of introducing infectious disease by such steamers is so small that it can not for one moment be compared to that infinitely greater one by the smuggling by vessels referred to.

Senator. I would be glad to have the doctor state briefly now, what are the present regulations.

Dr. . During what is regarded as the dangerous season of the year a system of certification has been adopted, particularly by the State of Florida. Florida was rather the pioneer in the matter.

Senator. Requiring certificates to be brought from the authorities here?

Dr. . No, sir; not from the authorities here; from a representative of the United States.

Senator. Are these three papers which I show you blank certificates such as you speak of?

Dr. . Yes, sir.