The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-21
QUARANTINE QUARRELS.
More Attempted Interference with the Health
0fficer-Ihe zighterage Systematic Gus
toms Officials and Quarantine 0ficials
at Loggerheads-The Quaran-
tine Side Of the Story


the discharge OF his duties The latest interference
Of an important Offcial and one similar to thai
which would appear has before been acted upon and
deemed illegal by the then Secretary OF the Trea-
sury, Is that OF Collector Grinneu preventing the
discharge OF cargoes arriving this port nom IN
1eced ports as required by the law and regulations
provided for such cases. The story OF Tins inter-
ference, how like troubles have been decided and
what Is likely to result from such proceedings II not
checked, is given as follows by the Quarantine
oficiais:-
Having failed in carrying out the carriage system
which lie had established for the benefit OF the
numerous hangers.on OF the Revenue Department,
Collector Grinnel after casting about for some new
and extended field OF operations few days since
decided that the quarantine ighterage, II properly
managed, would
FOR his many friends and admirers, and at the same
tine prove to the commercial community tina the was
their proper champion and disinterested beneactor
and that they might rely upon MIN to defend them
against any restrictions which the Health Oficer Of
the Port might impose, entirely ignoring the
attempt was made by the then Collector,
the late Mr.. Simeon Draper, to control the Tightening
sumption that the prerorative OF the general gov.
eminent over this class OF vessels was superior to
the Quarantine authorities. Al that time the matter
was decided by the Secretary OF the Treasury who
AFTER due consideration directed the Collector Of the
Port to
ACT IN HARMONY
with the authorities OF the Health Department. Mr..
Draper complied with these Instructions and no FUR
tner interference was attempted during his term Of
ONCE.
In the following year, however, Mr.. Henry A.
Smythe, assuming the position previously taken by
Mr. Draper prevented for several days the discharge
OF the steamship Eagle, from Havana, claiming that
he alone mad the authority to employ lighters for
detained for five or six days, when Mr.. Smythe
feeling that he had exceeded hts authority, Withdrew
from the position contentng himself with COM
PLANT 70 Governor Fenton, charging the Quarantine
authorities with Improperly OBTAINING vessels and
cargoee and of improper and illegal conduct in re-
In the present Instance Collector Grinnel, afte
throwing all sorts or obstacles In the way Of the
Quarantine iightermen on Saturday last decided to
MAKE A TEST CASE
OF the steamship MORO Castle, which arrived few
days since from Havana, by issuing an order to the
revenue ocer on board OF that vessel not to deliver
the balance OF tue cargo TO any lighter except those
having the Joint approval Of himself and the con-
agents OF the Atlantic Mail Steamship Company to
which the MORO Castle belongs, at once waited
upon the Collector and begged OF HIM to
rescind the order, as his action was not only in
direct opposition TO the laws OF the United States
but would at the same time involve the company IN
conflict which could have no other result than the
breaking up OF their line. III the Health Oicer has
exceeded his jurisdiction the merchants have their
remedies in the courts But neither you nor they
have right TO hght the Quarantine authorities over
our shoulders; and II you must nght,n urged the
repre- enlative or the company, "try il possible to
select another field for your operations. We have
some
VALUABLE PLANTS IN OUR GARDEN
have no objection would prefer you to select another
subject for test case. The quarantine authorities
as far as consistent with public safety, have afforded
as every facility in their power, and except IN the
instance OF Collector Smythe's interference, have
Tor years always been able to sail from this port
our regular days" Mr.. Grfnneii's views, however
remained unchanged despite this appeal and yes
terday the matches OF The Moro Castle were sealed
by an Inspector and a further discharge OF cargo
prevented How far this arbitrary conduct OF the
Collector il warranted by law may he judged by the
following extract from
mn
passed February rs, 1799 and which is still in force
BY the terms OF this act II explicitly provided that
required and established by the health laws Of any
State, or pursuant thereto, respecting any vessel
wneer rom rg any ngr, ,ace rn snorSe
district OF the United States shall be duly observed
by the collectors and oil other officers OF the revenue
Of the united States, and they are authorized and
required faithfully to aid in the execution Of such
quarantine and health Iaws,r &c.
That the Health Oficer OF the port on the other
hand, SO far from exceeding his Jurisdiction has
done all In hts power to facilitate commerce, consist
emf with public safety, may DC judged from the TACT
and Port au Princeare vessels required to discharge
cargo In quarantine, at all OF which ports yellow
ha to the strict Interpretation Of the
quarantine law, vessels from 'any place where
DISEASE SUBJECT TO QUARANTINE
existed at the time OF their departure arriving be-
tween the first day Of April and the first day OF No
vember shall remain at quarantine for at least thirty
alter their cargo shall have been discharged, unless
sae Health Officer shall sooner grant a permit
else Of this discretionary power, the Health
OfHcer, during the present season, has acted
upon an Interpretation OF the law most favorable to
the commercial interests or the port. AS early as
March almost every vessel which landed In this port
from Rio Janelro and Port au Prince had lost some
porary detention no restriction was placed upon
them by the quarantine authorities; the weather
then being too cold TO admit OF the propagation Of
yellow fever. With the beginning Of the present
month, however, 1t became necessary, as a
MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
TO exercise great degree of caution In reference to
arrivals from the aforementioned ports. That
yellow fever is epidemic at Port au Prince was
proven py the arrival OF the French slOOp-of war
La Touche Treville short time since with number
Of cases OF that disease on board while almost every
vessel that has arrived from Rio for weeks had lost
portion OF their crews either In port or on the pas
sage. Yellow fever was at the same time reported
at Havana, and the season OF the year made IL
imperative that the Health Officer should adopt
every possible precauf1on TO prevent The introduce
ton Of this dread disease INTO our midst The
NECESSITY FOR THESE PRECAUTIONS
every one Will admit who considers the dense pOpu
lati0n which, surrounds the waters OF our harbOr.
The TACT that yellow fever for number Of years has
not extended beyond Quarantine is no reason why
all quarantine restrictions should be removed as
Collector Cunneli and few interested friends trad
ing with infected ports would seem to desire but on
the other hand, should be sufficient reason for the
continuance and enforcement OF those laws which
have for the past twelve years given us an entire
dom from Infection Is due 10 the present system Of
quarantine no right thinking person viii dispute
Wien IL Is tndb DSIOre Tue removal OF
the anchorage OF vessels from infected ports To t
lower bay cases OF yellow fever were
OF CONTINUAL OCCURRENCE
on the shores OF Staten Island and Long Island.
In the year 1856 over GOO cases occurred on Staten
Island and Bay Ridge, while as far back 1888,
when New York contained but $4,000 inhabitants,
nearly $500 died OF yellow fever during the epidemic
season Of that year. Again, In 1903, out or 1859
Cases 600 died OF yellow fever; In 1904 70s: in 1905
600 cases were reported and In 1922, out OF All
ported cases 275 resulted fatally.
The immunity which we have enjoyed during the
past few years. 1t is not too much to say, may
cribed TO the administration Of our quarantine laws
and which IL would be impossible TO overthrow
WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE SAFETY
Of the entire community. Under the present sys-
TEN vessels arriving from infected and doubtful
ports detained at Lower Quarantine where their
matches are opened and their cargoes subjected TO
proper ventilation and fumgation. II no cases OF
yellow fever have occurred on board they are al
lowed 10 come to the upper bay to discharge their
careoes by lighters. The propriety OF this, In the
absence Of quarantine warehouses Is apparent to
admit OF Question: for the only alternative consistent
with SAFETY would be their retention board of the
vessels In winch they arrived until the approach OF
winter.