New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-11
ORGANIZATION OF THE PIRACY.

FORMATION OF THE COMPANY WHICH ROBBED
COMMERCE. N 1S70-BHBERY or THE QUAR-
ANTIEE OFFICER, PRICE S4O,OUO.
The appointment of DR.. Carnochan to the
responsible position of Health Officer Of this port was
made in 1870 by Gov John I. Hoffman. 1t was under
stood that the Office would he conferred only on the re-
commentator Of the Medical Faculty Of New-Hork Cty.
There is very little question that this could not have
been obtained for the present incumbent but thlS I'm
portant consideration was forgotten, and Dr CaiHCcAan
was installed about April 1, 1870
Upon assuming the duties the first question which
seems 10 have ar en- in the doctors mind as to the
amount OF spos to be rcaped thcrefrom. The work OF
stevedoring and lightorng had been done under Dr.
swinburnc BY Peter H. Walsh. then at No 81 South-s
Aad Shorthand & Co.. No. LOG Wa-s, private indivdu-
els who did an honest and in the maln satisfactory
business because they did have TO pay the Quaran
iue doctor for tine privilege of doing the work But
new order Of thing had arisen. The new Health Ocer
st once expelled all tugs and lighters from Quarantine
grounds by the following rules and regulations TO be
observed 10y the masters Of vessels in quarantine issued
May 10, 1870:
Quarantine colors must he min lroa O. al vessels
QaSane u1 oare on furnished with clean ~ Of aeh and
e. All pt, whatever belonging vessel Quarantine strictly
f,o Se21., i5p' Of n. -altS oc
81 al reIrors iyer belonging Quarantine o
vessel and a passengers Otr persons VII live on shore art also
bib from oug on O'ar he o"n vessels except by permission Of
Al sogal between vessels put under Quarantine is
10 permitted to alongside Of ye..el Qu'.oa.
lave aaT .Hae2 % 1e-,g WIN n crew OF Ia ~ tg ger
o. Oh s1' purpose whatever ""''" "''" ''""'' '' li'''"
Provisions and neaes, intended be board ola
.ezse Quarantine he embarked the Health Office Wharf
say exert 'h He- oAceT grants special perm to proceed to any
The claims Of old ana experienced stcvedores, sup
ported by the most Influential shippers and merchants
pith port totally disregarded the money which
they had invested in their business well the good
will" which they had gained by reasonable charges and
general satisfaction, uhlessly thrown away by the
new Health Officer. Walsh Shorthand and all Others
denied The right 90 into the Lower Bay to prose
cute their calling and the influence and patronage Of
The Quarantine officer Staten Island was FOR the first
zine III q years, put up at auction.
The successful bidders were: Joseph Morgan, Vim.
Murdoch late Of the firm Of Murdoch & Smith, No.
Bowling green, Richard = Locke George W White, and
Dexter Tiffany
Morgan Locke & Murdoch claimed the exclusive hight
20 90 the gherage, towage stevedorage aud stowage
upon all vessels coming into Quarantine In addition
they claimed exclusive authority transport passengers
and mails between vessels lying at Lower Upper
Quarantine and the City OF NewYork. They based their
claims upon letter from the Secretary State which.
suit their Purposes they construed as charter The
following is copy Of the letter, the original being
IN the possession OF Locke the only other one In exist
snoe was lately in the safe keeping OF Pendeeast Bros
Of Pearl-st.:
bearer Richard s Locs has the pr1ege Of Gctc The
nftienng Nc3orrg Quarantine under and
provisions Of The Commissioners Of he
AIe subject their acc nee Signed) HoEERA NELos.
This Charter was peddled around the market by
Locke Morgan, and Murdoch, and although many bril-
ant Inducements were offered, found willing
20 buy They labOred hard to effect by private what
fhey had not the courage 10 lay before the public openly
flhdlng the case hopeless one they formed original
sdeA The great drawback 10 the title had been that
kc ia cash, was To he paid TO the Health Ofhcer at
Suaianiiue before operations could he ceuu and in ad
ston 70 ths weekly stipend Of O. 80 in advance 10
Ne paid during the four months from June October
ss At which time only the fall powers Of Dr. Carnochan
S<nh be exercised All honest had re-
peoated the offer from the simple reason that without
~hoesae and hndiscrinnate robbery Of the importers
eoo OF the ps&seDgers they could not pay expenses
edpefs lad been wary Of the project because they
saw ater careful estimates. long series OF lawsuits
bugauons. and compromises between themselves and
e importers, shpOvners and passengers every one
~ winch they were kfy 81 be wOTsted. They seen
shht The power Of the Quarantine officials would not
As iAsis from Tic righteous Indignation VI the power