New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-23
AN UNNECESSARY ALARM.

A very unnecessary anxiety has been created in
the public mind as to the protection Of this city
against the introduction of disease from foreign
ports during the ensuing Summer. The apprehen-
sion is perfectly natural, for hardly more appal-
ing calamity could befal us than to be exposed,
in the present absence of all internal sanitary pre-
caution to the devastating inroads of foreign ep
.dclnic. So. far, however, as the Quarantine is
concerned, the alarm is unfounded. Precisely
the same machinery for intercepting all diseases
which might enter the port exist now as have here.
tofore protected us. The organization of the
Quarantine Department is unimpaired, and the
laws for its government aud support, and which
have always governed and supported it, are IN
repealed and in full force.
The misapprehenson on this subject has arisen
from the fact that the Commissioners for the re-
moyal of Quarantine, have dismissed the officials
on board the Floating Hospital, used last Summer,
for want Of funds which funds the Legislature, at
IFS last session, failed to provide. Both these
statements are quite true, but their real bearing
upon the case in hand is not generally understood.
The object Of the creation of the Board of Re-
moyal, was to find new place for Quarantine
Hospitals. AS they had not been able year ago
10 do ths-and indeed have not yet-they estab-
lished, last Summer, temporary hospital, in a
stationary ship, the expense of which was provided
for out of the removal fund That fund is now
nearly exhausted, and the Commissioners, there
fore, are unable to make again any temporary
arrangement, and can only attend to their original
duty Of providing future location for the Quaran-
tine. The Legislative Committee to whom the
subject was referred, did not again put them in
funds, probably because it was thought quite I'M
necessary to burden the Removal Commissioners
second time with the duty of providing temporary
accommodation, and because existing laws and the
fund thereby provided, were quite sufficient for
that purpose.
Every emigant coming into this port is taxed
-. Out of this tax large fund is created which
is chargabe b Jaw with the support Of the Quar-
antlne establishment. Upon this fund, in the
hands of the Commissioners of Emigration, the
Quarantine has always depended, and it has al
ways been ample for that purpose. 1t was only
relieved from it last year upon some question of
responsibility between the Commissioners of Emf
grafton and the Commissioners of Removal, which
The latter settled by providing temporary hospi-
fal, for which they then had the means. In that
question the public has no special interest, even if
it be again raised. But it may rest quite satisfied
that as the laws under which it has hitherto been
protected remain unchanged; that as the fund
which has hitherto supported the Quarantine has,
at this moment, large surplus; that as the Board
which has hitherto had charge of that fund and has
directed its use, still exists with unchanged rela-
tions and duties which it is not to be supposed
they mean to neglect; that as the officials
fIom the Health Officer and Physician of
Marine Hospital down to the bed-makers are
all at their posts there is not the slightest cause
for alarm, nor the slightest reason for supposing
that New-York las not the same ample means of
protection that she has always had, and which
have always proved efficient.