The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-16


more unhealthy thn the condition Of
that thoroughfare Ard this is only q
favorable specimen of numerous streets, in which
miasms is left fostering till il is exhaled by
warm sun. and taken into the human system
through the lungs-the poison thus becoming a
fruitful source OF disease and death.
The political hacks of all parties who are en-
trusted with public duties are 80 shameless that
they accept the peoples money for doing nothing.
or something worse than nothing. liz the matter
of keeping the streets clean, the duty devolves
on the City Inspector. But owing to the obsti-
macy of the Mayor and the Beard of Aldermen,
we have no City Inspector The Board of Alder
men will not confirm bis nominee, and he will
not nominate any other. The former City IT,
spector, (whose term long since expired), clings
with desperation to the Office till successor is
appointed; and he pretends to do the business,
but in such manner as to render the whole
thing farce. Thus between the three parties,
human life is triaed with, and the city is victim
lied. The mortality is greatly increasing, which
can be only attributed to the filth of the streets,
and there is every prospect OF the evil being
aggravated as the rays of the vernal sun in
crease in power. The Board Of Health ought to
look to the matter at once, as no one else seems
disposed to do go. Should an epidemic break out
now the mortality would be terrible.
The QUARANTINE Bills IN THE LEGISLATURE
Assembly at Albany for the discussion of the
Quarantine bills. It is about time that this ques-
ton were settled, before the season of pestilence
sets in. At present there is no provision exist.
ing for the accommodation of persons coming
from foreign ports afflicted with contagious dis
ease, except in the old location on Staten Island;
nor have any measures been adopted to prevent
vessels with infected cargoes coming through
the Narrows to the old anchorage In view of
these facts, it behooves the Legislature to take
final action on the bills for the removal of Quar-
antine, if the political and personal influences at
work in the lobby will permit it, 1t is true that
the law passed some two years ago, authorizing
the removal Of Quarantine, remains unrepealed,
and the new commissioners appointed by Gov.
Morgan are empowered to act under it; but as
nothing has been done in the interval towards
carrying out the intentions of that law, it would
seem that more definite bill is required to meet
the present emergency.
If, as stated by the Boards of Health Of this
city and Brooklyn, and as we have always main
tanned, the danger from the spread of pestilence
arises from vessels and cargoes coming from vel
low fever ports during the summer then it
hOvrId hn mod @1~of
and cargoes shall undergo their Quarantine in
the outer bay, below the Narrows. Differences
may occur between physicians as to whether hos
pitfalls, dwellings, passengers and patients are
dangerous but no such difference exists as to
the danger of infected cargocs and vessels. They
are and always have been source of danger.
1t was an infected vessel or its cargo and not its
passengers which in 1855 carried yellow fever
into Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, and in
like manner, from the same source, were Charles
ton and New Orleans decimated by the pestilence
during the past summer
But while the State authorities should protect
the public health by suitable location of Quaran-
tine, and the appointment of an efficient and ex-
perienced Health Officer, it is their duty, also, to
protect commerce from the burdens of Quaran-
tine restrictions by furnishing such facilities for
discharging, storing and speedily disinfecting
cargoes, as may be necessary and convenient.
1t is conceded that half the burdens-the deten-
lions and expenses-of our Quarantine can be
saved by the erection of wharf and warehouse
in the lower bay; and that is all the Quarantine
we require. For the want of such construction
it has been estimated that our shipping trade lost
last summer nearly half million of dollars.
We trust, therefore, that the Legislature will not
adjourn without making such necessary provision
for the safety Of the public health and the inte-
rests of commerce as the present system of
Quarantine demands