New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-27
REPORT or THE QUARANTINE COMMITS
SIONERS.
A REPORT THAT Is WANTING IL DETAILS

A REPORT THAT IS WANTING IN DETAILS.
TO the EdftOr OF The TrtOHne.
SIR: This report was presented to the Legls-
laure Friday last II dscloses state OF facts which
demands investigation and, unless satisfactorily ex-
planned should lead 10 the prompt removal or the pres
ent Commissioners from Office. In the last supply Bill
appropriations were made 10 them 10 the aggre-
gate amount OF ss5 400 be applied to general Quaran
tine purposes Including repairs TO the Illinois and the
Quarantine steamboats, The whole Of this sum has been
expended. and they have incurred large liabilities in adj
dtion which yet 10 be paid The amount OF these
liabilities is very clearly stated, but II We under
stand the figures OF the Commissioners correctly, they
amount to Si97H 81. No detailed statement OF these
liabilities or OF their expenditures ia given. One item OF
expenditure amounting to so2ls a. is given under the
general head OF disbursements for care and main
ten ance OF the Quarantine Establishment AS their
account Is not debited with any items or
clerk hire, Office rent, stationery or counsel fees
IL Is fair TO that they are included In
this general item, for that they expended moneys
for these purposes will not be denied How many other
items properly chargeable TO the support or the
Quarantine establishment covered up under the
same general head does not appear. II 49, to say the
least very suspicious mode OF making up an account
Nor the report more satisfactory as to the rea
assigned in 1t for running the State In debt nearly
$4,000 without any authority Of law. The Legislature
$4,000 for repairs upon the Illinois, yet tho
Commissioners have expended more than twice that sum
upon her She WAS hulk scarcely worth repairing
at ALL but assurance been given by those competent
10 Judge that all necessary repairs upon her could WIN
any reasonable degree Of economy, have been made
within the limits OF the appropriation. BE that as 1t
may there was no emergency which justified the Com
missoners In doubling the amount which the Legisa-
turc had decided 10 eIpcnd upon her They were
equally without Justification in doubling the expendi'
lures authorized to he made In the repairs OF steam
boats. II they can set the will OF the Legislature
at defiance IN one case. they can In another,
and thus compel appropriations from the State
treasury without limitation. They have Incurred debt
Of S7Sl9 81 In providing for cholera patients, and this
they seek Justify the ground that the statute OF
1868 provides that these patients shall be provided for
by the Commissioners in such manner 40 they may de-
termine aud occasion shall demand. But did the oc-
cason demand such expendurei Since that statute
was passed State has expended nearly half mil
lion Of dollars In providing hospital on West Bank for
the reception OF this class OF patients There was but
single arrival OF cholera during the year from wnch ~
persons all received into hospital aud the COM
mssioners had appropriation OF $780, 900 for genera
purposes. In 1865 aud 1888 there were ~ arrivals W.
from ports with cholera and over coo see
had 10 be- provided for The West Bank Hospital nau
not then been erected; yet the n0 ana
William A. Cobb provided for ell or the t VA
der the greatest disadvantages without running ano
State In debt than tl5ooO. and with an appoptn-
ton OF only $4,000 at their coinmsnu v nmra III
and even This contracted on Tue special
recomme ndaton OF the Governor. .
There In another matter upon when me report IA
silent and upon whcb the public are entitled " infor