The New York herald., 1868-08-18
QUAR- ANTiNE OPERATIONS.

The Shipping Merchants and the Quarantine
Mismanngement--Abmses, Overclurges and
Bluckmnil-The Quarantine Autocrncy-A
Story with NToral-Practical Hints to
shippers.
The abuses at Quarantine, which have been venti-
lated for the first time in the HERALD, have occa-
stoned the deepest sensation among our shipping
! merchants and we are in the receipt of numerous
communications giving details OF particular cases.
These communications are for the most part anony-
nous. The writers have too much fear of the con-
sequences to themselves should they openly avow
themselves the authors OF the charges which they
make. The fact is a sad commentary on the justice
of our institutions. Merchants and brokers, Of
the first standing In the community, are actually
afraid to sign their names to papers making COM
plaint OF the grievances which they compelled
endure at the hands of public official.
THE QUARANTINE BUGABoo.
We sent one of our reporters through the various
shipping offices yesterday, but in all instances, as
soon as his business was made known, the officers
or clerks declined to relate anything that might
offend the authorities at Quarantine.
"1ts no use, Sir" said one gentleman, ''trying to
fight the Doctor. We thought to do so at first. We
objected to this bill and to that 1t wasn't no use.
He could put us In quarantine just as long as he
liked, and we couldn't help ourselves. So we
gradually yielded. 1t costs great deal now, it's
true-more than we ought to pay-but it would cost
us great deal more to have the Doctor quarantine
us for a few days even."
This fear Of the Official who more Immediately pre-
sides the duties Of the Quarantine station extends
to the whole shipping community Should the name
OF firm get into print in connection with any mar
rave rejecting upon his administration the name of
that firm would be marked and every vessel coming
into port thereafter would be vigorously quaran-
tined.
APPEAL
has been taken in few instances to the Quarantine
Commissioners, a set Of gentlemen duly authorized
| to hear grievances and redress them. They are
very hard 10 find, as any one Will ascertain who has
| complaint TO make. One refers TO another, and
the other to the first. and third to fourth, and
| on All refer back 10 the Doctor and the Doctor
| fers back again; so that the poor complainant is
made shuttlecock and is tossed backward and for
ward until he pays the charges demanded and with
draws In disgust. The Doctor ''runs the machine"
entirely as any may also ascertain by little in
| vestgatiOn. The Commissioners seldom meet, or II
they do II is for the purpose OF transacng business
merely OF routine nature, In connection with the
support Of those belonging to the Quarantine estab-
| iishment.
THE QUARANTINE hUrOCRACY.
The truth is the law which contemplated securing
the health OF the metropolis beyond peradventure
| upon the Health Onicer rendered so arbitrary in
pursuance of this wise end, that the edcts orgnat
| ing from the Doctor have no gansay-a fact of
which our shipping merchants are painfully aware,
and hence their submission 10 what they call unjust
charges and all sorts OF unpleasant restrictions.
| From the moment a vessel passes Sandy Hook she s
the prey Of the Quarantine sharks until the last pack
! age of goods is taken out OF her hold, what with
towage, and fumIgation. and ghterage and all
|
whether the wind be fair foul, the bill OF health
clean otherwise 1t IL against the charges which are
imposed for these services that the merchants
plain. The Doctor has according to report, interest
| In the towboats and lighters which the vessels de-
| string speedy quarantine are compelled to employ.
There is no redress rs the law stands at present.
The Doctor Is shielded by It, The shipping merchants
know this and anxious for his removal that some
person more conservative to the commercial in
| teress OF New York may be placed at Quarantine to
| administer the duties of the boarding officer The
| law itself may be altered by the next Legislature.
In the meantime the merchants look for a change In
the oGicia who interprets II and submit with good
grace as they can to the evils which they cannot
| remedy at present.
The Quarantine officials are largely drawn upon by
the political committees for contributions In support
| OF the cause In this State. Their 'pckingsr have
| the reputation OF being very numerous aud cOrre-
| spondingy rich. Hence, with the Port wardens
| and Harbor Masters they are levied upon to
support ''the machine" The positions are political
| ones. They are worth good deal to the
| ncumbents, according to popular belief, and 80 they
must make generous return TO the sources of power.
The excessive charges complained OF are the result
OF the high tax imposed TO run the machine during
the past year. the landlord puts up the rent for
his own benefit when his own taxes increased, so
the tarif has been raised gradually and the on.
cials pockethat is to say they give return of-he
revenues thus derived. The agitation OF the subject
has seriously alarmed some OF them, IL would appear
and yesterday one OF our prominent shipping firms
received back the overplus which they had paid In O
recent instance, over the regular rates. How many
similar Instances Of restitution will be recorded In
short time depends on the success OF the movement
! which the merchants are making to protect them.
selves.
A CASE OF BLAcKMAfL.
CAPTAIN A. Hausen, Of the Brig Uller, which mr..
rived few weeks since, reports that he was boarded
| as usual In the lower bay when on examination /,
was found that the bill OF health which the Ameri
can Consul at Rio Janeiro had made out had been
mislaId
''sorry,n said the Doctor, one of the Health ON
GERS deputies; "but I'll have to quarantine you
few days"
"why Doctor. there's no sickness on board and
do not come from unhealthy port,r pleaded tnt
Captain.
"scc here Captain, what's your cargos'
"Conce.r
"CodecS why can't you lower away bag now
and it will be all right. Hard times these; we mu
have something for ourselves. you know"