The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-09

keep the peace and secondly, they are re-
| garded as nucleus upon which to form q
national army In case Of invasion or insurrec-
ton, as they were used during the late rebel
lion. II must be evident that these objects will
be frustrated SO long as the members Of the
militia become lawbreakers and disturbers Of
| the peace while acting in their military capa-
city, as in the case referred to; and 1t Is equally
clear that as the nucleus of an army for service
in the field strict subordination is an essential
| quality. If a single regiment were to display
| the want Of discipline and obedience exhibited
at East New York the other day they would
demoralize . whole division. Therefore we
conceive that the militia needs reform. We
must either have fewer regiments in better con-
dition or there must be more rigid system
enforced. We do not require mere toy SOL
diers, who show themselves in fne plumage
on dress parades or holiday OCCASIONS but q
body Of we'll trained men, upon whom we can
rely in cases where the service Of real soldiers
is necessary. The militia have done well in
the late war. Their services will not soon be
forgotten but, looking to their future eff
cheney, we would urge the necessity Of more
attention to subordination and obedience.
With less display and vastly les expense they
might be made far more useful body.
The Quarantine Qucstion-Facts for tho
Staten Islanders.
The excitement in regard to the seizure of
Seguin's Point for quarantine purposes still
continues; but we trust that it will not result
in another such riotous and incendiary out
break as the so-called Sepoy war. The Staten
Islanders have the sympathy of the public and
will probably secure the removal of the quar-
antine to some less dangerous locality if they
act sensibly and appeal to the reason rather
than to the passions of those concerned. That
there are localities less exposed to the danger
of contagion more remote from the city and it's
suburbs and better adapted for quarantine pur-
poses than Seguin's Point we have official
evidence. The whole subject was investigated
last year by the Quarantine Commissioners,
and after stating that Sandy Hook could not
be obtained for quarantine they submit
ted to the Legislature report from
Health Officer Swinburne as to the proper
site. This report may be found in Assembly
document No. IS; and as DR.. Swinburne
is the quarantine officer of the Board Of
Health it would seem as if the Board ought to
pay some little attention to his opinion.
In his report, transmitted last January, DIR.
Swinburne first describes all the requisites OF
cholera quarantine, then shows that floating
hospitals will be expensive, announcement and
insufficient, and then urges that temporary
structures ought TO be erected in anticipation
of the arrival Of infected vessels. "a proper
place for the erection of these temporary struc-
tures," he continues, Gin such position as not
to endanger the inhabitants Of the adjacent
shores, may be found either on Barren Island
or the westerly end of Rockaway beach The
former site could be obtained for moderate
compensation and the latter already belongs
to the State. l suggest either of these posi-
tons, in anticipation Of difficulties being met
with in obtaining from New Jersey permission
to erect such buildings at or near the Horse
Shoe Bay upon Sandy Hook" Again, in speak
ing Of the theory of DR.. Marsden, that cholera
may be arrested "by an absolute quarantine
Of short Duration" the Health Officer says:-
"While l commend the plan Of DR.. Marsden to
your careful consideration, i still must say that
It would be impossible 10 carry out his recon-
mendations at this port without very largely
increased facilities. These cannot be had at
present unless the suggestions be adopted ~
10 Barren Island or Rockaway beach. II this
be done il will so extend the natural facilities
rs to obviate the necessity Of many Of the sug-
gestions therein contained"--that is to say, the
selection of either Of these localities would
render unnecessary many expensive precau-
tons incidental to other quarantincs.
With such sites as these, recommended BY
one OF their own officials aud with many others
decidedly preferable to Staten Island, why is
il that the Health Board has made this demon
stration upon Seguin's Points While Barren
Island, Rockaway beach and other sites
are remote from the city, uninhabited,
unfrequented, surrounded by Ae ocean and
famed by its constant breezes, Seeuin's
Point IL traversed by . railroad, and any
infectious disease there would endanger
all the people of Staten Island. who are mostly
families from New York. the heads of which
still do business here, and would thus carry the
contagion directly from their homes into this
city and expose us to the very risks against
which the Board Of Health Is to guard. To go
down with an srmy Of policemen; 10 land with
great ceremony upon Seguin's Point: to have
revenue cutter pointing her loaded guns
towards the shore--all this may be food for the
vanity Of President Schultz and Superintendent
Kennedy, but ID was not at all calculated to re-
concile the Staten Islanders TO the establishment
Of quarantine there, and the only wonder is
that II did not provoke an immediate quarrel.
II the Health Board chose 10 disregard the
recommendations Of the Health Officer and TO
seize upon site which presents fewer advan-
tages and greater disadvantages and to which
q majority Of the people are opposed, they
might at least have managed the affair with less
fuss and parade. Since an armed revenue cut