Year: 1868

Legislative Report the Public Duties Of the


Health Oficer Of New York.


The Legislative Committee who were charged with
an examination of the public duties Of the Health
Officer unanimously report


That there were many burdens imposed upon COM
port Of New York which very Justly form the subject
OF complaint on the part OF those engaged In it, but
for which this committee is satisfied the Health
Onicer is not responsible that these burdens were
due mainly to the want OF proper facilities for carry
ing out quarantine, and that the Legislature alone
can supply this deficiency. The report proceeds in
detail to call the attention OF the Legislature to the
defects and recommends prompt action. Il Will be
remembered that this Committee of Public HEALTH
consists OF seven members three of whom are phy,
sicans; that on their return to Albany they, as
~ Were directed 1 to confer Win the Com
action might be obtained. What will be done re-
mains to be seen.


The Committee on Public Health, to whom the fol-
lowing resolution was referred-


Resolved That the Committee Public Health he
$ s OF to- s public or
said committee shall have power to meet at such times


employ renographer and during the time that
they may be engaged in the performance OF said nvestl


Respectfully report:-


That pursuant TO said resolution they proceeded to
the city Of New York ON the 9Th inst, entering at
once the duties imposed upon them by said reso-
luton. Dr; John swinbnrne, the Health Oficer Of
the port Of New York, was notified TO appear before
them and respond to any question relating to the
subject of his public duties well matters relating





responded to the notice. expressing an entire willing
that his Official acts should be subject O the fullest
scrutiny aud investigation; That your committee
proposed such general inquiries to the Health Oncer
as seemed to be necessary to elicit such information
would enable them to determine whether there
any abuses with the administration OF his duties
which might be the proper subject OF legislation:
that the answers submitted by the Health Oiicer To
these Inquiries satisfied your committee that there
were many burdens imposed upon commerce In the
administration Of quarantine In the port Of New
York which very justly form the subject Of complaint





committee are satisfied the Health Ofcer IL not re-
spOnsible: that these burdens are chiefly
s,ars%. neced with w the gterng seyedorng ,e and
and belief Of your committee these burdens
viii necessarily continue TO very great
extent until the entire quarantine establishment is
completed in accordance with the quarantine act of
1888; that that act authorized and directed that the
carried on below the Narrows and IL specified pnrfic
larry OF what the establishment should consist, and
It declared that warehouses for the storage OF in
nothing has been done toward their construction for
the want OF q necessary appropriation. To meet
this necessity, In part, an act was passed In 1856,
authorizing the erection OF quarantine warehouses;
in the upper bay. but the authority was surrounded
with many restrictions that the act has thus far
been imperative and useless, but more particularly
because no suitable site can he procured for
their location. The most suitable location Is
conceded TO he upOn what IL known Oyster Island
which belongs tD the general government but IL IL
believed that proper application TO Congress would
receive It's cesson to the state for that purpose f
that island could be secured and the necessary au-
tbority given for s use for the construction OF ware
houses for the reception Of goods from vessels which
have arrived from infected ports but which are not
infected and at the same time suitable warehouses
for infected merchandise could he provided IN the
lower bay, your COMMITTEES believe that many bur-
dens now connected with the administration of quar-
antine would be removed. Until these warehouses;
are provided the present practice OF dscharyinQ
goods In the bay upon lighters, at considerable dis.
tance from the shore. at large expense to
the owners and consignees, must necessarily
continue. Az necessary consequence of the alb
sence Of such warehouses Il might also re-
suit that the present practice Of designating a
brooklyn for the storage OF cargoes from vessels
under quarantine must he continued. thus giving
rise TO contentious jealousies and complaints or par
tality on the part Of the sanitary authorities An
other great want connected with the administration
OF quarantine which your committee believe has
given rise TO much complaint and has imposed many
burdens on commerce IL the absence Of any suitable
place IN the lower bay for the Temporary detention of
who have been expe,sed 10 disease but
are not actually sick. Temporary provision mas been
made Tor thetr care and reception board Of ves-
sells; and authority was given nv act passed at
the last session OF the Legislature to occupy nor
ton Of Barren Island for that purpose until per
nanen structure can he erected for that purpose on
Inc West Bank; but as no sufficient appro-
nave been made TO deiray the ex-
penses the erection OF that structure has not
been commenced. The vessels used Tor the
temporary reception of such passengers, your COM


,ee are informed. are only held at the pleasure of
any moment. Should that he done the burdens Uf |
he administration OF quarantine would be largely |
Increased until other provisions could be made.
me Quarantine establishment IL yet incomplete in !
,tner particulars, which your committee do not deem
y nccessary to specify In this report for the reason
at hey are particularly pointed out In the annexed
report OF the commissioners Of Quarantine which |
mas been submitted to this House during the present
session. When the establishment shall he fully
n'eied. as thcrc Indicated they believe that qdaran