The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-02

KEY WEST AND THE EPIDEMIC or LAST SUx
MER.-The first consideration Of the government
in regard to Key West should be to take all
necessary precautions to prevent, if possible, .
recurrence Of the terrible epidemic Of last sum
mer That Key West is in future to be the
great military and naval depot of the Gulf Of
Mexico one can doubt, although there are
some persons, from personal considerations, en-
deavoring to have it removed once more to the
ruins Of Pensacola. The cleanliness Of the
island should receive the first attention; next .
proper and effective quarantine, and, lastly, the
construction of a hospital on one OF the ada
cent islands for malignant diseases should at
once be commenced, so that il could be COM
pletsd by the coming summer. Key West is
now governed by man who is thoroughly con-
versant with all the wants Of the place, and he
should be instructed by the government to use
all means within his power during the present
winter to prevent the yellow fever being gene
rated when warm weather sets in by acoumu-
lations Of fifth and the importation Of the dis
ease in infected vessels or vessels arriving from
infected ports. Now is the season TO accom-
plish all this, and not leave it until the taking
of precautions may be the cause Of the disease
making its appearance.
We cannot understand the policy of the gov
eminent in leaving m infected ship, like tho
st. Lawrence frigate, remaining in the harbor
of Key West; for We learn from our correspon-
dent at that point that occasional cases are
even at this season making their appearance on
board. although of mild type and yielding
readily to medical treatment. If this ship il
permitted to remain in her present position
until the season of northers is over and hot
weather becomes the rule the yellow fever will
again appear on board in malignant form.
and the probabilities are that the balance Of
the squadron would not only become infected,
but the pestilcnce would extend to the troops
and unacclimated persons on shore, thereby
giving us a second edition OF last summer, II
not worse The 81. Lawrence should at once
he ordered to Northern port, where she would
have the benefit OF frost and thorough
cleansing, and her crew Of over three hundred
fine fellows. well disciplined and understanding
their duty, he transferred TO other ships, where
their experience would he Of benefit to the
government. aud not be kept On board large
vessel remaining idly 4, anchor in port, doing
nothing aud only Offering inducements for tho
reappearauec of yellow Jack.
TYR Co,ToN ExCrEsENr-T WALi. STREET
OpERAroEs CorxG lSTo THE Sofr GooDs LINE
One of the most curious features Of the de-
rauge,nent caused by the war in the usual
course OF our commercial operations is the
tnrn which speculation has taken amongst our
Wall street operators. They are abandoning
fancy stocks for fancy goods, and now nothing
l. talked of on Change but the price OF
long cloths and muslins. To such a point is
that one New England house in this city, whose
leading partner holds both gubernatorial and
military rank, i realizing, by multiplied com
missions on the same invoices OF goods, more
than their actual cost The great majority OK
the persons concerned in these operations being
capitalists outside the trade, the purchases
which they make arc Immediately reinvoiced
for sale and TINS stocks OF goods, worth in the
.r,,revate from five to one hundred thousand
dollars or more. are daily changing owners
wi,hou, changing warehouse, securing thereby
10 the firm selling them an amount Of com
rniss;o, exceeding their actual value. Some
ide. or the enormous amount Of its gains in this
,,,v may be gathered from the fact that IL sold
ne other day a single invoice. amounting Ia
500 900. at prices exceeding by three hundred
pcr cont lhose Of twelve months ago. Thui