The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-13
QUARANTINE AFFAIRS.
A Few of the Many Extortions.

Few of the Many Extortions.
It would I'LL a volume OF no mean proportions TO
recount the many curious, devious and diverse Ways
employed in the institution OF Quarantine for rails
Ing the private revenue upon which the o1cials who
control Its affairs faten and 1ourish OF course the
absolute authority vested in these irresponsible auto
Gratis enables them to institute and compel the en-
forcement OF just such rules and edcs contribute
most to the sinking fund-literally the most appro-
pirate term that be used for the unseen and ever
disappearing revenue that Quarantine enjoys. Such
case the following is but one out OF very many
that could be readily produced to show how easily
and with what impunity the regulations Instituted
by law for the guidance Of the quarantine oincials
can be dlsrcgarded, 80 49, isssssSsT|
a captain Of certain bark arrived at Quarantine,
and, having suffered the customary detention,
desired to engage steamer other than the Heath
O1ncer's which had more than enough Of business
to attend to, to tow his vessel to New York; The
deputy in charge refused to allow him to use his dis
erection in the matter but procured tug himself for
the purpose and presented the captain OF the bark
with Dill to sign for fifty dollars, telling him that
unless he attached his signature thereto he should
still remain In durance vile at Quarantine. ~ =
The SUM for which this tug was engaged BY the
quarantine ocer was the regular rate thifty dollars.
uncomfortable anchorage at any COST but afterwards
on calling ct the office OF the tug steamer In
thirty dollars from the Health ofcers deputy. Now
what became Of the twenty dollars extra which this
victimized mariner had to pays Did it ind Its way
pocket or did the Doctor, In the first blush OF his
benevoence, hand II over to gladden. the depleted
The captain Of the bark according to quarantine
regulations bad perfect right after his term Of de-
x dn to employ baS he
this right He might keep appealing to the Board Of
Quarantine commissioners until doomsday and
counsel to the Board, 'that matters resting
purely in the discretion OF the Health officer not
rS Se me now
ever will not be left to the indifferent consideration
Of the Board and Mr.. Johnson, court Of equity,
independent OF Quarantine will shortly take the
matter under Its serious attention, and no doubt,
decide that the twenty dollars extra charge. was
neither more nor less than an extortion Of the
gravest and most nagrant character and that 1t
must be accordingly refunded; IL
sea captains who have been similarly victmized.
The one decision will cover oil the other cases. 80 We
may expect lively sensation Of long deferred salts
ships'' and meet with Dr. Swinbune before they re-
turn
for the work OF lghterage pressed more heavily on
the owners Of vessels than did the towing and
said before that the Board gave the igterage con.
tract away to Shorthand Co., after the shps0wners'
Association had already made application for the
cent less. The regular rate is avelcents per hogs
head. The Board allowed Shorthand to charge 81 10 or
100 per cent more. The Shipowners Association were
satisfied to do the work for an advance OF ten per
cent Now, why was the contract made with short
land in the face OF such garng differences Surely
the subject demanded fair and honest consideration
In view Of the fact that the commerce Of the port OF
New York was vitality interested In its equitable set
tement. Yet 1t Ia found that the Commissioners
rushed into this contract with Shorland-one Of the
trio u partners In the recent purchase Of the Quar-
antlne groundswith an honest offer already in their
hands to do the work SO much less However, the
scheme partially broke down. The shipping mer-
chants clamored loud and long against this new I'm
position. They showed such q menacing and angry
'front.' that the Board became alarmed and cut down
the rate twenty-five or thirty per cent; but even at
this figure It is still greatly above the regular rate
and the spirit OF discomfort among ship owners IL rs