The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-20

In support OF the prosecution against the Staten
Island rioters without admitting that the So
called incendiaries have fully made out their
case. Not only have the Quarantine physicians-
including DR.. Thompson himself pronounced
the establishment as inconveniently located and
dangerous, but they have testified to the fact
that no regulations however stringent can ever
render its existence at this spot consistent with
the public safety. Dr.. Walser states that no
matter what extension may be given to the
| grounds, there will never be q perfect quaran-
| tine or protection against the spread of infcc-
tous diseases 20 long as there is population in
its neighborhood. DIR. Thompson, the Health
Officer, also thinks the present site an improper
| one, and although the danger from yellow fever
| might be lessened by locating Southern vessels
below the Narrows, he is of opinion that in the
event of the introduction of Asiatic cholera the
population of the island would be exposed to
great peril. Furthermore, the evidence of all
the medical officers Of the establishment and
of McIyman, the bargeman in charge of the
iron scow, goes to prove the truth Of the charges
preferred against 1t by the inhabitants of the
village. From the extreme laxity of discipline
which prevailed in regard to the stevedores and
ligbtermen and the daily violation Of the Qua
rantine ordinances by all employed, it is now
established beyond all question: that in acting as
they have done the people of Castleton only
obeyed the instincts of self preservation, prompted
by sense of pressing danger, and not the misera-
bic pecuniary influences suggested by the reports
Of the Commissioners.
We do not know how, in the face Of evidence
like this, the Quarantine authorities can persist
in their intention Of rebuilding their hospitals on
the old site. All the reasoning and conclusions
Of their last report are SO completely f,lsifed
by the admissions Of the Health Officer and his
assistants, that they will be compelled to admit
either Of the alternative charges that will be
made against -vindictiveness against
Staten Island, or desire to job away
the public money-if they persevere in
this foolish determination II having been
conciusively shown that the present site is per-
ilous one, and that no alteration of the Quaran-
tine regulations can render it otherwise they
win be taken either for madmcn or rogues If they
adhere TO purpose which can secure no possible
object but that Of stirring up bad blood and vast
ing the public means
But the party upon whom the results of this
investigation win reflect most severely is that
weak minded and spasmodically energetic official,
Governor King. II will be asked why a mau
placed in his high and responsible position should
seek TO bolster up abuses such as are here dis
closed, by INJECTING on the sufferers another and
more grievous oppression in the illegal procla-
nation of martial laws The answer must lead to
the political extinction Of Governor King and
the pack Of needy adventures by whom he is
surrounded. The party intrigues and schemes
which saddled US with the Metropolitan police
have reached In this Quarantine affair at once
their climax and their death blow.
From fair review of the evidence taken in
the pending inquiry another conclusion has,
we think, been established, which goes to the
root Of the question-whether a Quarantine CO.
Enlistment is necessary at all. II seems TO US
that no system that can ever be devised in con-
nection with the trade Of an extensive port like
this, can secure that perfect isolation which Is
commended for as an imperative condition of its
efficacy. With the corrupt political influences
always at work amongst us ii will be impossible
to maintain the rigid discipline which its parti-
zans say i necessary TO prevent the spread OF
infection. Employees win take liberties and
medical officers will wink at abuses. because the
one are politically dependent upon the other.
But even II perfect quarantine system could
be secured il seems 10 us undesirable The most
enlightened scientific minds abroad have de-
nounced II as a fallacy, and the facts brought
ont on The present inquiry fully bear out that
conclusion. Why, therefore, should we expose our
selves to this heavy annual expenditure and con-
tinually recurring vexation and trouble, by con-
tinuing an institution the benefits OF which are
so dubiousf Were not the hungry spoilsmcn
who hang On TO the skirts ofpolical parties In this
country interestedin its maintenance IL IL certain
that the practical common sense Of our people
would have long since made an effort to get rid Oft
A CoSTRasT-CoNsoLArfo FOR THE TAX
PAYERs.-The annual report of the Auditor Of
Suffolk county, Massachusetts,, for 1888,
shows the whole cost Of governing Boston to be
SS,37l042. The cost Of governing New York
last year was sl0,o00,O00 A Boston journal,
while apologizing for the large amount Of mo-
ney paid out" says
But y az spent for tho benefit Of tho citizen who re-
ceyes he qid pro quo The shape Of cican and quiet
Ercet good schools, an efficient FIRE department and es
Pecially well conducted and careful government which
has done much The pas year for The Improvement OF the
city Tor business and other purposes.
A truthful commentator on one OF Comptrol-
Ter Flagg's reports should write something In
this way; "In return for the vast expenditure Of
ten millions, the citizen gets comparatively little
advantage over three millions Of il goes into the
v,ocLata If sef of thipv;no of,csala s~,.i, Ia.