The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-06

tined before, and that no case had ever been
known In which such absence Ut quarantine
and by Mr. Berry, that in 1870 he had import
ed from Havana, during the sickly season
there, pine apples, which he was allowed to
transfer from the vesse1-which was detained
at the quarantine station--tO river steamer
and bring to the city without any evil result
Ing therefrom.
1t was also set forth that there are engaged
In this trade thirteen vessels lone steamerl.
owned In this city, besides those chartered,
which swells the whole number employed to
cargoes, markets for our productions other
wise inaccessible and which will again be-
cut off If this course OF action continues to
prevail, because, they claim, the fruit is So
damaged by the action Of the snphurous acid
gas that its commercial value Is destroyed,
and that for this cause they will be com
PEELED to dispose OF their vessels and with
draw from the trade.
1t was further urged that while, on the one
hand, no cargo OF fruit was ever known to
fruit was, in our climate, beneficial, If not
essential, to the health. Of our people, and
that SO far from conserving the public health.
q directly opposite result would be arrived at
IL the detention and fumigation Of such ves-
sells was persisted in.
After some further discussion the preamble
and resolutions were unanimously adopted
and ommittee consisting of Messrs Berry,
Oteri and Grande was appointed to lay them
before the Governor and the Board OF Health.
The following petition was read by the
chairman, and unanimously adopted, for pre-
sentation to the Governor:
Gov. +. T. Nichols:
"By the proceedings of the Board Of Health
at meeting composed of some of its men,
bers held the fifth instant, q resolution was
adopted to instruct the Governor to issue a
proclamation ordering quarantine for all
ports. Now. we, citizens and merchants, do
think this rather premature Never before
this has such course taken place at the early
part pf the season Besides, 1t Is q well known
TACT that there has never before been single
case Of sickness imported here in cargo OF
fruit.
I'm former times, when vessels were quar-
antned from Havana, the fruit always was
shipped Immediately to the city. There are
thirteen vessels engaged in this trade belong
schooners and one steamer). costing the own
Frs thereof about S150,O00; besides this, it
takes another $1500O0 or more to do the bust
ness of the vessels. Those vessels not only
bring fruit to this market, but all take cargoes
composed OF all kinds of merchandise, away
lose the whole of the other business, which
would amount to very large sum. Now, the
question arises, can we assent to lose this
trade when there Is not the least danger of
importing sickness. There is no sickness in
any Of the Bay Islands nor Jamaica Your
petitioners will pray you not to take hasty
action on the recommendation Oh the Board Of
Health"
committee, consisting of Messrs. j. FL.
Schenck, J. 7. Macheea and A. Caron, was ap
pointed to solicit signatures OF merchants to
the above document.
It was stated that the government inspec
tor estimated the damage to the bananas at
= sEyENTY-FIvE PER GENT,
and declined to charge any duty on the cargo
A committee was appointed to obtain GER
tificate from Mr. Jackson the government
inspector, to the effect that the cargo was
ruined by the fumigation. Messrs. i. Ca
zeres, s. Oteri and q. Tore were appointed
to serve on this committee.
After the discussion of questions bearing
on the fruit trade, the meeting adjourned
subject to the call Of the president.