The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-12

unnecessary, and som anersi hssi,h 0v..svene
can & sn1 spf 9, sns tuct Of this board As dire
violation duty snone $50 'ns% w5ioSy y the ssh
lon OF the Quarantine act OF msqisratss srS - G ~
officers, and Of ali Citizens or I the S s e aid e the
most Of their power the Board Of sha Ina al Of %
q fs Se 'es e. the
upon the Physician Of the Marine Hospital Is 0fSpou
the Health Officer the persons who are sua. entV g g
covered from sickness TO be discharged Upon bpch re
coyery, and when the Health officer deems SAFE 70.
such persons to leave Quarantine becomes his duy %
grant permit for that purpose Under the ordnance 70
which have referred such permit becomes imperative
for the reason that the board have prohibited
from the Quarantine enclosure into any part Of the town
IN which II situated To carry their ordinances into
effect the board authorized their Health Officer stop
all intercourse bet ween the inside and outside OF the Qua
employ persons to fasten up, guard and keep watch
over all the places OF entrarce TO and exit
their Health Officer has caused fence to be erected out
side OF the gate Of the Marine Hospital and thus the only
entrance 70 the Quarantine grounds has been cosed
and those whom sickness has caused TO be confined within
the walls Of the hospital until they could safely 60 forth
to engage in their accustomed pursuits compelled 10
guardians Of the public health shall see ut to ye them
freedom If this is the kind Of aid whi'h the statute
to the officers Of health, then I very much
mistake the import Of It's language. If it
was the design Of the act of 1885, which these or
dinances were passed. 70 give town board power thus
TO cripple the Health Officers Of the State In the perform
OF their duties tho Legislature greatly mistook the
Officer of the town thus be authorized without ex-
animation to give the lie to the judgment or the Quaran
tine authorities, when they pronounce person in safe
condition to leave the hospital the public health s
mercy Of the caprces of single Individual. l cannot
believe that these enactments are within the scope and
object of statute in existence The Quarantine OF this
port Is State institution; ls officers regarded as State
officers and their duties relate to the interests safety
Of the entire people OF the State There necessity for
compliance with their directions and that necessity
fully recognised and provided for In the statutes rela
ing public health for they make the special duty
Of all plao Of tho
There are many other respects than the one which
have specified in which these ordinances contravene the
policy Of the Quarantine laws Of the port and vioAte the
rights of the Commissioners Of Emigration as the legal
owners OF the Quarantine grounds. have not the time
pot e ~
IA copy Of which enclose. As the legal title 70 the
Marine Hospital and the grounds within the enclosure
vested In your board II lies with you adopt such
shall to the people Of the State the
tree of the property for the purposes for which
acquired Unless something done TO remove the OBJ
staces that thus thrown in the way OF dschargng
my duties, the efficiency OF Quarantine will be destroyed
al time when lis benefu are most needed and those
who have been restored TO health win be compelled to
remain in the hospitals as prisoners during the pleasure
r. h THOMPSON, Health ofcer
An informal conversation occurred TO the best
Of breaking the barrcades erected by the Staten Island
ers, and Mr. DEyLN submitted points for the consdera
ton Of the Commissioners. He was clearly OF opinion
that the action of the Stapleton Board of Health
The ae.s s % 1ss noSsS TO
self competent for the position he held and he the
only person who was justified in taking pre-
vent the spread Of the infection. Dr. Thompson, how
ever would not be justified in contesng the action OF
the local Board Of HEALTH that the oce Of the
mission who owned the grounds on which the Marine
Hospital was situated.
Several motions were made az to the best means OF
testing the legality Of the action OF the local Board but
eventually determined TO refer the whole matter TO
the counsel Of the Board with to take such action
as he deemed advisable Meanwhile the Commissioners
express themselves determined 10 do all N power
TO prevent the spread OF the infection.
Il stated thai the yellow fever diminish
Ing at the Marine Hospital, and fewer from the
infected ports arriving In week or two the alarm
will be over.