The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-26

QUARANTINE PICXINos- TROUBLE AHEAD
THE New OrFICIAIs.-There is something about
the very name Of Quarantine which is suggestive
or all sorts Of unpleasant things trouble, ex-
pense, annoyance, bribery, corruption intrigues
of all sorts Any one who has been hauled mp
In ordinary at Gibraltar, yellow tagged at Malta
or lazarettoed at Naples, shudders at the word
To be quarantined is the next worst thing to
being quartered That is the European view of
1t, where such things are a little better
managed than they are here. Our quaran-
tine is not so much for the safety Of the
public health as for the renovation of
broken down politicians. 1t provides them with
the latest and most comfortable stalls The
beauty Of it is too that they can gorge them
selves with the public plumber in quiet way,
nobody except the merchants who keep quiet
timized, knowing anything about it, Sometimes,
however just an edge of the curtain is raised, and
the dear public get glimpse Of the Satanic
tail underneath. The correspondence which we
print today gives an accurate Photographic pre-
Raphaelite view of the old gentlemans hoofs,
horns, tail and all. 1t is sweet picture. Brady
couldn't do it better.
But, to thoroughly appreciate work Of high
art, a key is necessary. Here 1t is. During the
last session Of the Legislature there was rather a
pretty quarrel as to the distribution Of the quaran
tine offices. The nomination of Dr. Gum for
Health Officer was a bombshell in the camp of
the hungry politicians; but Gum went off with
his commission Next, one Shultz, familiarity
called "Aleck," who had been faithful vassal
of the Governors, was put in for the spoils in
the stevedorng and lightering business OF
course Shultz and Gum were expected to
make things comfortable for the small
fry. We do not say that they intend
ed, or did do so we simply observe
that matters not being exactly according
to Weeds slate, it was understood that the
patronage was to be distributed fairly among
Weeds men. Now, it appears that trouble has
commenced at the outset Some persons Gu
gagged in business az stevedores and lightermen
a fat monopoly given to Shultz rs douceur for
political services. Shultz don't think the appli-
cants will pay enough, or that they are
not on the slate, and therefore sells the job to the
highest bidder. To use his own words, she
knew nothing of the busincss-supposed it was
given to him to make what he could out of tin
tended to do 60 )" wouldn't take ten per cent
e. ten per cent, be classically remarked, amt
nowhere--it's mere chalk ') and, in fact, Shultz,
if not elegant in his diction made his meaning
remarkably plain. Gum being applied to by
another party, suggested satisfactory" ar
rangcment with the firm that held the job. II
that means that they were to pay twice over, the
merchants are to be pitied. They would be
obliged to suffer in q quadruple way, at least
The matter is before the Board of Health, and
if our local authorities have any pluck (Which
is more than doubtful), they will step in to pre-
vent the robbery of the public by Albany
politicians.
1t is probable that things will go On ia the old
way; that the Quarantine officials will pocket
the spoils quietly, while the public is in terror
about its health and the merchants are in agony
about their pockets. The way in which the
quarantine system is organized is a stupid and
ridiculous humbug so far as the public service is
concerned. While the spoils are so good the
politicians will manage to perpetuate the sys-
tenn ard to cbuckle at their own promises of re-
form, with which they gull certain number Of
silly people. If it were not for the undeniable
fact that there are several new fools born every
day, we know what would become of Che present
quarantine system and the suckers that sponge
upon the merchants by its means.
The VIRGINIA EIECTIoN.-The Virginia cleo.