The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-17
Wae Health Officer OF the Port--Dr. Oar.
nCc!san the Right Man.

The public will learn with pleasure that DR..
Carnochan has consented to accept the inn
portant position of Health Officer Of the Port
of New York, and they would be glad to
receive with still greater satisfaction the an
nouncement that Governor Hoffman had ap-
pointed him to that post. The Office Of Health
Officer is one of vital Importance to the city
and, indeed, to the whole country, and no one
knows its operations better than DR.. Carno-
chan. 1t is an office that should not be con-
troiIed by political prejudices or predictions.
Political favoritism should not enter into any
portion of its management. And yet we
know that under the present regime ii has
become exclusively political office, that the
place was filled two years ago by republican
Governor, and that all the influence and
patronage of the Health Office have since that
time been used tor party purposes. The
honest duty required Of the Health Officer has
for some time past been made subservient To
the interests of party. Now, what is that
duty? 1t is to protect the population OF this
city from the incursions of disease from
abroad, to see that our quarantine system is
managed in such manner as that the public
health may be secured as far as lies within the
power Of the Health Officer having control Of
the Quarantine. Certainly the duties Of this
official are not confined to the collection of ex-
brilliant dues from captains Of vessels or to
levying heavy taxes upon the earnings Of all
the subordinate officers of the department,
from the assistant doctors and deputies to the
boatmen. This kind of business does not
legally form any part of the duties OF
the Health Officer of the Port, and yet il is
complained that greedy Health Officers
have amassed considerable wealth from these
sources.
Therefore il becomes matter OF congratulate
ton that such man as DIR. Carnochan should
consent to accept the position Of Health Officer.
Standing, as he does, at the head Of his pro-
fession; recognized as the most accomplished
and sllilfill surgeon in the United States; q
master. indeed, of his art an honor to his
profession, and one whose name is familiar
throughout The length and breadth Of the land,
we consider ii y piece Of good fortune that
medical gentleman like him, enjoying princely
income from his professional practice, should
accept this position. That in doing 40 he makes
a great sacrifice is unquestionable. Pecunia-
ry he will probably suffer not little by
accepting the ofice but then the public will
happily be the gamers, and in that light we
are disposed to view DR.. Carnochan's candi-
dacy for this Office MS q great public benefit
There is still another reason for commanding
the action Of Dr. Carnochan, and that is that
he has set an example to other gentlemen to
make some personal sacrifice for the public good,
by accepting pablo Offices, and thus rescuing
these positions from the control of the rowdy
element which sits now in too many high
places and controls, by its banelul influence,
nearly every portion OF our local body polite.
We hope that Governor Hoffman will loso no
time in appointing Dr. Carnochan to the posi-
ton of Health Officer of the Port. He has the
legal power to do so, and we have no reason to
donbt that, with his keen sense of what is best
for the good government of this city and his
desire to do all that is most conducive to t3
interests, he has the will also to make an
appointment that viii be universally popular.
In fact, the appointment Of DR.. Carnochan may
be regarded as the best thing which has hap
pencd in this community for many day. IL
may be the entering wedge in the political
chasm into which many other citizens Of merit
ana intelligence may DO induced to follow.
Stpum BoiIer ExuIosS,ns