The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-29


Coffee was steady; the chief sale consisted Of cargo Of
Rio, embracing $500 bags, private terms. Freighx
were heavy and engagements moderate.
The Abuses OF Our Quarantine System-A
Word 20 the Merchants OF New York.
The present quarantine system for the pro-
lection of the city Of New York from epidemic
and contagious diseases, is admitted on all
sides imperiously to require thorough and
wholesome reform. Complaints are rife against
1.-THE people Of Staten Island loudly assert
that the quarantine officers and employees are
permitted to circulate freely in the neighbor.
ing villages to the Quarantine station, and to
carry contagion among them. The commercial
interests complain that trade and merchandise
are subjected to onerous and expensive restric-
ticns, which are unequal in their operation and
unjust in their results. Travellers are dissatis
fed with what they deem to be vexatious an
noyances, which are irregular in their opera
ton and not imposed upon all alike. Lighter
men and stevedores murmur against the mono
poly system which is practised in regard to
ighterage and labor, depriving many persons
of employment, while the expenses are largely
increased to the merchants. Politicians beA
lieve that the Quarantine revenues are made
in a great measure to Ebserve party pur-
poses And the public is dissatisfied with
the conflicting exertions of the parties
interested in the quarantine system to
keep up an excitement on the subject of vel
low fever and other epidemic diseases, for pur-
poses which are suspected of emanating from
other sources than zeal for the public good.
There are, undoubtedly, many difficulties sur
rounding the reform and reorganization Of our
quarantine system. Among these we may emu
merate the interests of the property holders on
Staten Island, who wish it to be removed from
their vicinity; the opposing interests of other
parties, none of whom wish the new location to
be in their neighborhood; the objections of the
commercial CLASSES to have the Quarantine re-
moved to a long distance, where their property
cannot be in some degree protected from dep,e-
dation by their own watchfulness; the vested
interests of those who obtain participation in
the lighterage and handling of the great guam
titles of merchandise imported during the sum-
mer months the conflicting views of specula-
tors of all kinds and the antagonistic efforts
Vi pohdCiduc, WIZ iOoh uPOu TIC COutIOl vi
the Quarantine as a prize for party. But un-
doubtedly the greatest difficulty in the way of
its reform is the large income which aecrues to
the Health Officer, and which is far beyond
what In reason should be the remunera-
ton Of any public officer in any coun-
try. While the President of this great !
republic receives only $4,000 year, the
Health Of,oar or fbo Sc Mo- g
mated to have an income from his position of |
100000, and some parties estimate it as high |
as S150,000 year.
This is state of things that should no longer |
be allowed to exist So large an income not only |
affords palpable reason for the parties interest
ed in II to keep up an undue public excitement /
about yellow fever and epidemic diseases, but II
gives rise to such conflicts as we have witnessed
this season. between the Collector and the Quar-
antine officers, about warehousing goods, and
universal dissatisfaction at the system pursued at
the Quarantine station. A reform, therefore, Is
necessary. But who shall undertake to fight |
the windmill of this immense abuse? Political |
partisans will not undertake II, for they fear
the yellow fever cry that will be got up against
it. Legislators will not do it, for their interests
are not directly concerned, and the great in
come of the vested interests in the Quarantine
enables them to bring an i'm
mense lobby power to bear against reform. In
dividual efforts cannot accomplish It, for the pub
lie Is persuaded into the belief that the Qua
rantine is it's only protection against contagion
and death. The establishment Of proper qua.
rantine system is no doubt useful In allaying |
public excitement and fear, even If 1t does not |
keep out contagion, but the present system,
with it's attendant conflicting sources Of excite |
ment, is wore than no quarantine at all. One |
set Of men labor TO prove that ii brings In /
disease, while another goes TO work persistently |
TO show how much is kept within the quarantine |
limits Exoggeration is appealed to by both |
sides.
There is one class Of men in our city that is |
more directly interested in the preservation of /
lite health than any other, and this is the class |
which should undertake the necessary reform of /
our quarantine. The mercantile interest is the
one upon whom the burthen of its support most |
directly weighf, and that IL, besides. most |
heavily interested in the maintenance of a |
proper defence Of the city from contagious
disease. If an epidemic should break out here
trade would be the first and greatest sufferer.
Not only would large portion Of our own
consumers leave town, but none of the thou
sands Of purchasers that come here 10 lay in
their supplies would be seen In our marts. The
interests Of the merchants are therefore directly
affected by all the bearings Of the quarantine
question. They have an organized representa-
ton In the Chamber of Commerce, composed of
men commanding public confidence, and they
should take the subject in hand. Acting
through the officers Of that corporation, their
snrrestinna would narnrnan nd fha atLan4iau a.l