The New York herald., 1871-09-01
THE HEALTH OFFICER OF The PORT
Letter from Governor Hoffman-The Complaint
of c. H. Marshall Co. Against the
Health Officer Referred to the
Quarantine Commissioners
ALBANY, N. Y, August 81, 1871.

ALBANY, N. Y, August 81, 1871.
The following communication from the Governor
was sent to-day TO Charles IL. Marshall K Co.. OF
New York In answer to a complaint made by the
firm against the Health Officer OF the Port OF New
York;
GENTLEMEN-since my letter of last week, ac-
knowledging the receipt oil your complaint agar st
Dr. Carnochan, the Health Onicer OF the Port OF
New York, with reference to the expenses and
charges IN the case OF the ship w. Il. SJ0rer, Inc
Health Oficer mas called IN person at The Executive
Chamber, at my request, and olered his explana-
tiOns
The bills against your ship, copies OF which you
enclosed to me, consist OF one from the Health
Ofhcer's Department, amounting TO S747, and one
from the Quarantine Department, amounting to
$2l92. The Health Oficer represents TO me that he
has interest In these bills, except in Jnat
from his own once OF $747thls beng for the fumi-
CATION OF the vessel the transportation OF patients.
burial expenses or the dead aud inc vac
charges for these he claims. are Just and
proper, and not excessive; That ne, nevertheless,
some time ago informed the President OF the quar-
anime Commission tnat II you dissatisfied
with them ne was quite willing to submit to slch
deduction as tney should think lit 10 make. The
charges for transportation aud 1Or burial expenses
made IN his bill as such nave been established by
the present Commission by their predecessors.
represents that the bill for 81 i93 Tor medical
treatment OF patents lie has interest; rnat the
amount goes to the Quarantine Commissioners and
not 10 him. and Is for medical treatment OF patients,
at rates liked 10y them and not by nim and goes TO
make up what Is called the hospital fund.
The Deputy Health Odlcer reports olcially that
with 274 steerage passen gers; deaths had
CURED on the voyage ana there were several cases
OF smallpox on board at the time OF her ARRIVAL.
After these had been removed to the hospital there
occurred all 1vrtylOur other cases. also removed
ana DroVldeu WIN uieuical tIeaIinent. Ine Vessei
was detained until no more new cases appeared, and
was relieved as soon the disease was eradicated
risk OF Injecting the city from TINS snip was
end. The smallpox, he states, was OF Tue most
mailgnant type the deaths being III Inucn larger
proportion among the cases from this ship than
from other vessels. He further reports that The
charges for the carriage Of the sick anu the burial
OF the dead and the lumlgatOn or The vessel were
the established rates, and the rates Tor carrying
when hired to do the same services at times when
the Quarantine tugs were being repaired he re-
ports tnat he can give no information concerning the
hospital eXpenseshe bill OF So l93-as they do not
belong TO the Health Oicer's department..
Having received this answer to your complaint /
Shall reler the Whole matter to the Quarantine Com
mission, composed oil Messrs. Richard Sche, sam
a board OF Appeals from any action OF the Health
officer. Ii any injustice or wrong has been done III
this instance they have the power TO remedy IT, and
wlll | am confident, do so promptly and cheerfuly.
avail myself Of this correspondence to make
some suggesions in reference to Quarantine and Its
alleged abuse. There is very general impression
that the Governor has the power TO sus
pend remove the Health officer. The Gov
is an appointee OF the Governor ana Senate ana
can be removed only by the senate. on the recom-
mendation or the Governor This question OF power
Gu. e:uy examined, ana upon the receipt OF your
recent letter embodying complaint against the
Health 0ilcer. a,ked the opinion OF the Attorney
question Tnev have sent TO me their separate
opinions IN writing and they agree III the conclu-
sion that have no power 70 suspend Or 70 remove,
or to conduct any enforced Or tofipuls0fy ex.
animation; that have power to recommend
removal and as incident to mat the right to OBJ
tain In the best way can information as to the state
OF AFFAIRS at Quarantine. The senate Is not now In
session and will not be until January next 30 that the
Health Oicer could not unSl then be removed, even
is case for removal were established. cannot
consider informal and anonymous accusations made
against a publjc 9flcer through the columns 9t the
newspapers. II any citizen has any knowledge OF
any misconduct on the part OF the Health officer
1t is his duty to present the facts to me
IN writing, with memorandum OF the evil
dence to pc adduced. ANY complaint so made win
receive my immediate attention and the fullest M
Yesttgaton which have the power to maze. NO
charges have yet been made to the Governor
against the present Health Oncer, except In the
single case presented by you. snail specially re-
quest the Quarantine Commission rot only to give
attention TO the matter BROUGHT before me 10y your
letter, but to inuure INTO any and all alleged aouse5
in connection with the administration OF the QUA
rantme laws and to report to me In writing, to the
end that may be prepared, at the next session OF
the Leg stature, to make such Official c0mmunica-
ton or tv take such official action as duty may re-
qure or NE.
JOHN T. HOFFMAN.