New-York tribune., 1868-04-08
QUARANTINE - REPORT OF TIE HEALTH
COMMITTEE

The Legislative Committee on Public Health,
TO whom ntrused the duty Of investigating the Port
PhySician's management OF Quarantine, have reported
They say that Dr. Swnburne promptly responded TO their
simmons and courted the fullest investigation OF his
official acts and that they pursued their inquiries wt
ve6 Of asceanng whether any abuses obtain at Quar-
antne. We quote the vital clauses OF their report:
The answers submitted by the Health Officer 30 those
inquiries satisfied your Committee that there were many
burdens imposed upon commerce ID the administration 0i
Quarantine in the port Of NeWlOrk which very yJuSty
form the subject OF complaint on the part OF tOse en-
gagged in it, but for which your Committee satisfied the
chiefly connected with the ightering stevedorne and
storage of cargoes, anu that in the Judgment and belief
time to very great extent until the entire Quarantine
establishment s completed in accordance with the ons
that the entire operations OF Quarantine shoud mere
after De carried below the NaTrOws and It specified
particularly OF what the establishment should consist
and declared that warehouses for the storage OF ln
fected goods should comprise part of ~ and YET nothing
been done toward their construction for the want OF
a necessary appropriation To meet this necessity. an
part act passed in 1867 authorizing the erection of
Quarantine warehouses in the Upper Bay but the author
ity surrounded with many restrictions THAT the act
has thus far been imperative and useless hut par
ticuarly because no suitable site be procured for
their location The most suitable location Is conceded 10
be upun what ia known as OYSTER Island which belongs
to the General Government, but 1t is believed that
proper application To Congress would receive It's ceOn
10 the state FOR that purpose II that island could be
cured and tho necessary authority given for It's for
tle construction OF warehouses for the reception OF
Goods from vessels which have arrived from infected
ports which not known to be infected and at the
same time suitable warehouses for Infected merchandise
could be provided in the lower bay, yOnr committee ne
lieye that burdens connected with the aunlb
stratIon quarantine would be removed Untl these
warehouses provided, the present practice OF dis
charging goods the boy urOn lighters at considerable
distance the shore at large expense % the owners
and gnees, must necessarily continue. As ncces
ry consequence Of the absence OF suCh warehouses II
must also result that the present practice OF designating
particular class OF warehouses IN New YORK ana BROOK
yn for the storage cargOes from vessels under quIi;
tine must be continued thus giving rise 70 contentious
Jeaousies, and complaints OF parti1lity on The
part OF the sanitary authorities. another great
want connected with the administration OF
quargutinc which yOur committee believe has gwen rise
much complaint. and has imposed many unnecessary
burdens upon commerce. is the absence Of any suitable
place the Lower Bay for the temporary detention of
passengers who have been exposed 10 disease bu are
actually sick. Temporary provision has been made
thOrity given by act passed at tle last session OF
Legislature. 90 Occupy portion Oi Barren Sabh Tor
that purpose until temporary structure eau po erected
that ptnpOse the West Bank but no 'nibcieA
approximation made to defray the expenses the
erection OF that structure has not been commenced The
vessels used FOR tire permanent reception OF snel
passengers your Committee informed are ouiy held
- the pleasure OF the national authorities, and may De
Withdrawn ~ any moment should that be done, tue
burdens OF the administration Of quarantine wOWd Dr
largely nCrcas sed until other provisions could bc lidc
The quarantine establishment IS yet incomplete IN oher
pacu1rs, which your committee do not deem IT nestss
,ary 30 specify In this report for the reason that they are
particularly pOuted the annual report OF the Com
mssi0ners OF Quarantine. which has been submitted 10
l,hmeut shall fully completed there Indicated they
that admnistCrt a. 70 secure
adequate protection the public health. without lmpos
iHS any unnecessary burdens upon commerce