The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-26

contracted, - free expression OF popular
opinion, by their appearance ix terrorem at or
near the polls. The volunteers oan vote. bet
must not strut to the hustings o. dual foros
voters in uniform.
The publication Of this order reflects great
credit on the Disraeli Cabinet, as it proves
that, although anxious for retention of place
and power, the Premier will not descend Ia
mar grand measure of Acknowledgement q
derogate from citizen duty to secure it. Tho
example is worthy Of imitation in Washington
as furnishing precedent for official reply 10
our hungry politicians who become daily moro
clamorous for the march of soldiers into thu
Southern States as the day Of the Presidential
election approaches. General Grant will. per-
haps, take note Of 1t with respect to the
many itinerant political generals who are iusa
now troubling the country, North and South.
Tho Quarantine Laws-A Reform Neodcd-
1t has frequently been suggested during the
sessions Of Congress that the control Of che
quarantine business belongs of right to the
United States, and not to the States, and sew
eral attempts have been made to secure the
passage Of laws which would insure uniform
system throughout the country in this impor-
tant branch of the government This has
been in great measure owing to the objection
able character of the New York statutes in
relation to quarantine as Interpreted by the
State authorities. Under the pretence Of
regulations necessary to the protection of
the public health the broadcast license
has been taken by the State officers
to compel the commerce of the port to nav
tribute TO the Quarantine Department in every
conceivable direction. 1t has been maintained
that the Health Officer Of New York possesses
the arbitrary power to hold any vessel arriving
in the harbor, whether with or without a clean
bill of health, subject to all the Quarantine
rules and restrictions, and to entirely prohibit
all communication between her and any other
craft save such as may be authorized by him
or his deputies. Under this construction Of
the law the press has been debarred from COL
lecting marine news, except in such manner
as the Health Officer may please to direct and
the merchants of the city have been subjected
to much inconvenience, annoyance and I'M
necessary expense. A ship arriving in the
Lower Bay is stopped by the Quarantine
authorities, and the owners and consignees
are made aware that she cannot 90 to her
dock or discharge her cargo until she receives
the permit of the Health Officer. At the same
time they are notified that the Quarantine
lighters can be employed it desired, and while
it is Of course entirely q voluntary matter with
them whether they will or will not engage
these boats, they have to choose between thu
imposition of about thirty per cent additional
lighterage and the delay which the Health
Officer may otherwise occasion them in the dis
charge Of their cargo.
This tax upon commerce is justified under
the plausible plea of protection to the public
health. But it is very well known that this
cry Of danger from infection is raised for self
ish and sordid purposes. The men employed
upon the Quarantine lighters and tugs scatter
over New York, Brooklyn and Staten Island
after their days work is ended and pass to and
fro on the crowded ferryboats immediately
after their contact with Quarantine vessels
The ambulance sloop employed by the Health
Officer to transfer the sick from vessels arriv-
ing in the harbor to the hospital ship and to
transport the dead to the place Of interment
was constantly, before her seizure for snug
Cling, brought up to Washington Market
during the sickly months to procure provisions
a. 4 H. @
also frequently visited Brooklyn and the differ
ent landing stations on Staten Island, and her
hands have mixed unreservedly with the cii-
zens at those places. The pretence of danger
to the public health from communication
with homebound vessels is therefore
clearly traceable to mercenary motives, and
the Quarantine laws are strained and per
verified for the selfish purposes of those engaged
in their enforcement.
These impositions upon commerce are likely
to prove of serious injury to the port Of New
York unless speedily checked. If the State
laws cannot be amended so as to clearly define
the powers and duties of the Quarantine autbo-
rites Congress will have to take the matter in
hand and pass general statutes regulating
the whole business and placing II in charge Of
United States officers. This will probably be
the best method Of getting rid of the present
difficulties. As now conducted the Quarantine
regulations in the harbor of New York ara
simply an unnecessary burden upon commercs
and wholly Intellectual as a means of protecting.
the public health.
Americans In Trouble iu britain.
Mr.. Hiram Fuller, a newspaper editor and
American. appeared in the Court Of Bank
ruptcy. London. ON the 10th inst. TO seek his