The New York herald., 1876-01-31
THE QUARANTINE INVESTIGATION.

MINORITY REPORT OF THE CoMMITTEE-A PROP
osITIoN TO MAKE QUARANTINE sELF-sUsTAIN
ING.
The following is the report of W. H. Gedney the
publican member OF the legislative committee who
looked into quarantine matters last summer
To THE HONORABLE ASSEMBLY NEW YORK.
concur in the report by the majority OF the com
mittee except in the particulars specified in the follow
ing dissent:-I cannot agree with the report OF the
majority OF the committee or with the convictions
rived at by them ON the following named points, which
beg leave to state briey am fully persuaded that the
original State law creating the Quarantine Commission
is very proper enactment, and that such
all the powers that have since been taken
from them and in addition thereto possess the power
to appoint the assistants or deputies TO the Health
Officer and the employees, and to fix their salaries and
compensation; also to fix the salary Of the Health
Onicer. And the fees and emoluments now collected
by the Health Officer Tor his deputes) and by him re-
tanned should be collected and Immediately paid over
TO the Quarantine Commission, and then, by order Of
the Board be disburscd by the Treasurer for all the
expenses connected with the quarantine establishment
If at tho end OF any year there should be sur
plus of funds in the hands OF the treasurer, after
all the expenditures for and maintenance are
paid said surplus shall be applied to repairs OF the
Island buildings and to making such improvements AS
may be required from time TO time.
From the evidence obtained have not been
able to arrive at very accurate conclusion as
to the gross amount OF the fees and
emoluments collected by the Health Officer in any
year but forced to the conclusion that they have
approximated very near to- If not exceeded $lO0 900.
At all events, the has been largo enough, IL
economically expended by the Commissioners, TO pay
the Health Ollcer, his assistants and all their en-
ployes fair aud just compensation for the
rendered and to keep the property of the State such
as lands. buildings, boats, &c, in good repair
The evidence OF the three Commissioners went to
show that the fees and emoluments have been aud
doubt will continue TO be, equal to all the necessary
expenditures that no further appropriations for
that purpose need be made by the Legislature. IL
may be objected that the Legislature has not the power
TO authorize the collection OF moneys fees, or in
other words, levy tax commerce. II is sufficient
answer to say If tho State has and does exercise the
power to appoint Health Ofcer TO collect fees, after
such fees have been in part fixed by the State,
assuredy the State has the power TO say what other
disposition shall be made OF them except they may
not be placed the credit of the State the State
treasury.
do not In the report OF the majority of the
committee in their recommendation to create ap-
peate board, composed OF the President OF the Cham
Der of Commerce. the President OF the Board of Health
and the President of the SHIP Owners Association all
OF the city of New York Severally they are gentle
men OF the highest integrity and no doubt will
tnue to be such; but IL would be an unwcldy board
account of its number but account OF diveres
interests and matters affecting quarantine could not
have the immediate and necessary attention and de-
termination they would demand Whereas, on the
other hand the Commissioners organized by law hold
their sessions daily Ind can Immediately consider and
determine all matters Affecting quarantine. And /
further recommend that the Commissioners Quaran-
tine be required to annually make detailed statement
TO the Legislature OF the receipts expenditures Of
the department. and that all quarantine officials be pro-
hibted from having any pecuniary interest in lighter
age stevedoring from receiving any revenues or
fees pay whatever beyond that fixed by the proper
authorities.