The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-27

the commissioners, ana not or the OupoflnteA0eMS.
THE QUARANTINE DFFICULrr-PLAN FOR NEw
HosPTrALs.-The intelligence of the report
adopted at Albany ON Thursday by the Com
missioners for the removal Of Quarantine was
received by the Staten Islanders as message a
peace. That report, If accepted by the State
authorities, as it probably will be, will prove
virtual recognition Of the claims Of the inhahi-
tants Of Richmond county to protection from
pestilence, and that is all they require.
There is no reason to suppose, Il an assurance
be given that no permanent buildings for Qua
rantine purposes shall be constructed on the
island, that the residents will oppose the con-
struction Of brick shanties for the temporary
shelter Of the sick during the winter No at
tempt has been made to destroy the wooden sheds
now standing, where the sick are accommodated.
and il is understood that no attempt Of the
kind will be made, We think that the Governor
should relieve the island at once from military
occupation, and remove the just cause for exaa.
peration to which the presence OF the troops
there has given rise. He has pursued his unwise
and illegal course long enough, and in the pre-
sent aspect Of affairs perseverance therein can
only afford an insuperable obstacle to peaceful
settlement of this unfortunate difficulty. The
| militia Of Richmond county, affronted at the
slight put upon them by the employment of q
foreign military force, have already disbanded
themselves, while the citizens and residents gene
rally feel the outrage of this military occupation
more keenly every day. We trust, then, that
should the Eighth regiment be withdrawn to-
day, no other body of military will be sent to
take its place.
We have before expressed ourselves in favor
of the abolition of quarantine, as an unne-
| cessary institution at this port. 1t has never
protected the city from pestilence, but, on the
contrary, has exposed II to danger from the con-
| slant intercourse between the hospitals and the
shores of Long Island as well as our own
| wharves. 1t may take some time to bring about
the abandonment Of the quarantine system. and
| in the meantime the plan of establishing floating
| hospitals within basins Of masonry In the lower
| bay may be relief, not only to Staten Island,
but to this city and Brooklyn; but ultimately
quarantine system such as we have had must be
wholly abolished.
We would suggest far better plan than these
| floating hospitals. What is needed for a good
quarantine is not so much hospitals as warehouses
for the reception Of infected cargoes. Experience
has shown that II is not from the sick contagiou
| spreads, but from clothing, bedding and other
| materials. Instead Of floating hospitals-which
| in course Of time would become foul from bilgc
water and improper yentilation-why not build
commodious warehouse on the West Bank,
(where they propose to build basins), for infected
cargoes, and If necessary, small hospital on the
same site for dangerous cases Of yellow fever.
The warehouse might be erected on the edge Of
the bank, four miles from the southern shore OF
Staten Island, where the infected vessels now lie,
with breakwatcr in front to protect II from the
sea. and there would be no danger of the spread
Of pcstilence either on Staten Island, Sandy
Hook, or Long Island. This could be done for
less money than the basins would cost and would
be better protection against disease Besides this
plan would do away with all the unnecessary
restrictions and detention OF vessels now com
planned of. The vessels could be unloaded fumi-
gated, and permitted 10 come up to the city, and
the cargoes put In bond in the warehouse until
disinfected, and then taken out as any other
goods are from the bonded warehouses. No in
iectcd cargo should be permitted to pass through
the Narows until il is thoroughly ventilated
We repeat it is in the cargoes not in the patients
the greatest danger lies A hospital sufficiently
commodious for those who may arrive here sick
with contagious diseases is all we require. All
the rest Of the routine hitherto employed is .
nuisance.
The arguments Of the Commissioners at Albany
In favor Of their plan, as well as the various COM
muncstions on the subject which we publish to-
day. will be found very interesting.