The New York herald., 1869-03-28
The Grab Quarantine.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HEgALD:-
Different interested parties are continually at
tempting defence OF the Health Onlcer's Depart
ment OF this port They are probably satisfactory to
poor guilible smpletons VINO arc not interested In
seeking the truth Of the matter as the paying does
not directly reach them; but we, who not only
pay the fiddler, but are obliged to dance TO the
music, understand the whole thing thoroughly and
snail endeavor to push into the sconces OF the gull
bes the fact that there Is quarantine anything
pertaining to SUCH neither has there been except in
name since 1860. There Is q boarding station in q
very dilnpdated condition, from whence vessels are
boarded at so much per ton. The men VINO do the
work Of putting the deputy on board he chief never
works except at Albany live promiscaously through
out the village. In the performance OF their duties
they are continually among levers, smallpox, &c; !;
yet they be at all hours Of the day and night
among their neighbors with perfect lmpunity. This
mas been the case Tor o number OF years aud eSpe-
cialiy during the prevalence OF cholera and yell
low FEVER the past four years. Not that there any
great danger, but the Health Oficer would make Il
great mystery Of his (unumportaat position 80 as to
create the impression that IN the case OF newsnen
or boatmen other thaa his own there Is great danger
10 tine puDc health. Why are his particular set OF
newsmen, boatmen and other fav0rites less detrl-
mental TO tile pubic health tnan Others equally
cleanly and respectabe2 The letter writing and
correspondence or the Aeaith ofhcer In defence OF
his small and selfish course is the most perfect iarce
In the estimation OF men al al conversant with
quarantine matters. The attempts made to keep up
Appearances rather lame, wlen IL Is patent to Us
Glas the whole Health Oicer's department Is mere
game OF grab and extortiyn on the saipmastefs
aud merchants Of the port, who are and should be
recognized as the peers OF any political oiiciai.
During the yellow fever OF 1867 the boarding and
passing oi vessels 10 tile city was done In several
Instances by tne steward OF the hospital ship (dr
James O'Rourkel Here are the vessels SO passed,
with the naes Of the pilots, VINO would be only too
glad to testify to the fact ii required 10 do so.
october l0--Brig Leonora, from Rio danerio, ].
BrisLoa, pilot; BARK Doris, from Rio Janelro, Isaac
CampDe, plot; Darkat.lIe, Herman and Motley,
from Rio Grande, l.. Ta0nis pioi.
III nn honest investigation OF the Health Depart
mcnt should ever take pla,c-and God knows ~ Il
required-I would have summoned before the CON-
mttee such men are familiar with the inside and
outside OF the institution thoroughly sucn men, Tor
instance, Dr. Gum late Health Oficer; Drs.
WALKER and Burdett, late deputies; DIR. Harcourt,
John Waters. Lenlel Jcnn,ngs, George Randolph,
and the policemen stationed by the state as body
guard 10 tle Health Officer, but whose real duties
are repairing pleasure boats, driving and breaSing
his horses, gardening, &c. These parties would be
only too glad TO tell the truth the whole truth aud
nothing but tae truth 50 help them God and tue
Healfa Oicer aGd his fees.
TWELVE SHIP OWNERS.