The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-20
QUARANTINE INVESTIGATED.

observation-disclosures Real Estate
and Other Speculntions at the Expense
OF tho State-Vanderpocl Compile
mented.
Mr.. Adams, OF the Finance Committee or the
State Senate, yesterday took testimony at so and so
Pine street, relative to Quarantine AFFAIRS during
which some ugly revelations relative to ex-Health
Officer Swinburne were ELECTED. Mr.. Peckham, OF
Albany, appeared for the committee and cross-ex-
amined the witnesses.
Henry E. Nesbitt testified that he Is shipping
agent for shipowners; he had business with Quar-
antine in 1867 had the steamship Peruvian in
charge, which had cholera on board; she arrived
in May and was kept in the Lower Bay over a
month, the passengers being sent up to hospital
ship; the bills were rendered for care and keeping
by the Quarantine authorities; the bills were for
$1,000 IS, and one for provisions, vegetables &C.,
was for s12325; they were paid to the Quarantine
Commissioners; Cyrus Curtis was one; there were
cases OF brandy at $50 case; OF sherry at $45;
claret at $25 &C. the agent could not get the boat
till the bills were paid DR.. Swinburn was Health
Officer then; the other expenses were from $4,000
G. L. Shorthand testified that he was lighterman
at Quarantine, under DR.. Swinburne's appoint
ment; had monopoly Of the business; the rates
were double The usual rates charged; IL ought to
be more than harb0r rates. for the expenses are
there is q risk from disease; he was there fve
years the rates were subsequently cut down about
the third year by himself; they were then about
on the cOopering business to Obhge Mr.. Swlnburne,
not because he wanted IT, Ct double the city rates;
also did towing Ct double 81 na the city rates.
made by the Fletcher, which was used in towing,
to Swinburne, who pocketed 1t; she was the Quar-
Doctor; he asked witness to run the boat as ia.
vor; had done work under VanderpOel. but at city
rates; it is now open to competition; witness
owned third interest in the property occupied by
the Health Ofler; Dr. Swinburne and another own
the other two-thirds; there are twentyf0ur acres,
wsper WHO KEEPS down
there, has an interest in 1t; Weiner and witness
paid for 1t with money furnished by DR.. Swinburne
and the title was taken In our names; after
that when Swnburne went ont OF office we made
over Swinburnes third to Mrs. Swinburne; two
thirds Of the property Is now rented to the state
by the state Is $10,50O; the rest Is to be sold by
auction; witness made over all but one-sxth to
own one-sixth and Wiener the balance the goods
were principally stored with Robinson 4 Pinto;
received "u dollar as he was satisfied WIN his n
come; the taxes were paid by us in 1872 and 1875
the taxes on our part Is about I'VE hundred dollars
over four hundred dollars for my last quarters
rent, deducting taxes.
J. r Pendergast, Of Brooklyn. who is in the
Brazilian coffee trade testified that he had more
to say than =, appeared In his testimony taken on
ent conducted the quarantine officers Of the port
are satisfactory to ship owners; the law, as 1t now
stands, will admit OF all the old rascalities, but
honestly administered, we have no cause to COM
plain; these rascalitles were commenced under DR..
Thomas, increased under Swinburne, the screws
tigntened under Carn0cnan, and vast amount o.
had known OF cases where lighters were placed be-
tween the vessel and the wharf and full hghterage
touched the lighter; this was in 1869 or 1870
B. 7. Harlow, ship chandler, OF Brooklyn. late q
sea captain, testified that since about the COM
mencement Of DR.. Thompson's regime in yellow
fever seasons the captains avoid the port; he de-
scribed the delays and annoyances subjected to
which are net imposed Ct and
Read came on board; had no bill OF health; he let
others 60 up, and In the afternoon he came on
board and said that II would swear that the Con-
sui at Cardenas had not onered me q bill could
come up; signed IL and came up; the vessel was
called the Brett. Witness related much more OF the
same sort, which was FULLY exposed year ago by
tine old committee. As far as l can learn captains
are now satisfied with DR.. vanderpoel's admins
traitor.
P. T. Roache, chief clerk OF the Navy pay once
testified that last July we paid for treatment OF
United states ship saratoga, officers and Sailors
sick Of g bin and to
DR.. Swinburne, amounting to $3.50 this was for
treatment In 1859; there were between forty and
Sepa S TINS vas
paid last July to superintendent O'Rourke; he had
It approved by the Secretary of the Navy; the
ment; this appears to have never been paid into
the Quarantine Department
Robert B, Minturn ofMnturn Co., testified that
since vanderpoe came in there had been no COM
plants whereas before constant complaints were
being made.
some testimony as to the practice OF the Quaran-
tine officers when vessels were detained. but no
The committee adjourned to complete the labors
In Albany.