The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-10

THE EEUTE AT QUARANTNE.-We stated yes
teriay that Vigilance Committee had been APP
pointed by the people of Tompkinsville, for the
purpose of closing the communication between
the inhabitants Of Staten Island and the inmates
Of the hospital. Yesterday morning, the object
Of the committee was effected, SO far as they
could effect it. by fencing in the gates of the hos
pital and grounds. Some considerable excite
ment appears to prevail in the locality. We hear
Of threats to burn the hospital down; Others, to
blow it up; and generally, the people Of the
neighborhood are or appear to be, in very ex-
cited frame of mind on the subject.
Though we do not believe that there exists
good reason for apprehending the appearance Of
yellow fever as an epidemic among us we can
quite understand that irritation should pervade
the neighbors of the Quarantine Hospital. So
great nuisance as a hospital full Of patients i'll
Of contagious and infectious diseases may well
arouse an cutlery. But the way to look at the
matter as we take it, is not that which the insu-
lar community has adopted.
The Quarantine Hospital was established on
Staten Island at time when the island contained
but few residents. 1t stood in a comparatively
isolated position. In many points of view-in
respect Of anchorage, salubrity and distance
from the city--it was desirable site for qua
rantine. Altogether at the time the selec-
ton was made, it was perhaps as suitable a
place as any. But since then, the condition
Of the island has altered. Its shores have become
peopled. There is village at New Brighton,
which is growing into Tompkinsville; which on
its side. is growing into Stapleton; which again
is connected by an interrupted row of houses
with the village at Vanderbilt landing. In the
ordinary course Of events. it may be taken for
granted that short while hence one unbroken
line of houses and streets will border the island
on the north and northeast sides. In the very
heart Of this now stands the Quarantine Hospital.
As 10 isolation there is and can be none. No
Vigilance Committee or other continuance can for
any length Of time prevent the constant and free
communication of the people within the hospital
with the people without. Nor will the barring Of
the gates be any sort of protection. The air that
is breathed in the hospital viii be inhaled by the
inmates of fifty houses outside: If disease can
be propagated in this way-and the very exist
ence of guarantees rests upon the supposition
that it can-the hospital will actually be the
means of creating an epidemic. 1t is therefore
clear that the fitness which there was many years
ago, in locating the Quarantine where it is can
no longer be said to exist; and that the Legisla-
tive Committee was wise in recommending its
removal.
As the choice Of site TO supcrsede it has al
ready been made. the only question now is how
is the hospital to be got rid o.. And here, we
think. the people Of the island wrong. Threats
of violence are only foolish. No one believes
that they are going to be fulfilled; and Vigilance
Committees in this State are apt to provoke
spirit Of obstinacy among our magistrates, We
make no doubt but the man who burns down the
hospital would go to the State prison for arson.
If the hospital be so great an inconvenience to
the island we presume that the county possesses
the power to do itself justice in legal way /:
that nusances may be abated there as elsewhere,
or that, in case Of need. the public can exercise
the right Of eminent domain.
We look, however, to nothing but noise aud
loud talk from Staten Island. The people of that
small but enlightened community will nurse
their sorrows for many year to come, If they
are not relieved by help from outside. And, in
truth, the removal Of the Quarantine ought to
come from here We are TO the full a deeply
interested in the measure as they IL yellow
fever spreads among the people Of Tompkns-
vile, with which we are in steady, constant COM
munication, it will surely come here. The whole
island cannot he isolated: if disease prevails
there, we cannot escape our share Of it.
II is for this reason that 1t appears 10 us to be
the duty of the city authorities aud citizens of
this city to take up the negotiations with New
Jersey where they were broken Off and to endea-
yor TO carry them through. The only point now
unsettled concerns Jerseys right Of jurisdiction
over the tract chosen at Sandy Hook A little
labor and little money would soon carry this
through.