Page:Immigration and the Commissioners of Emigration of the state of New York.djvu/155

Rh paid off, and the amount realized from the sale was directed to be applied towards the erection of the new Quarantine structure on the West Bank. Thus, since 1858, although the Commission has received no benefit from the lands on Staten Island, and although, since the appointment of the Quarantine Commission, the Commissioners of Emigration have been relieved of the duties which formerly devolved upon them, yet they have been called upon during the past eleven years to pay the interest on the whole $200,000, of which $150,000 was debt incurred in support of the Marine Hospital, and acknowledged as such by the Legislature. All applications to the latter for the refunding of the interest thus paid, amounting to $115,000, by the State to the Commissioners of Emigration, so that the emigrant money maybe applied to its legitimate purpose, have thus far proved of no avail, and the Commissioners of Emigration, although desirous of getting rid of the debt unjustly saddled on them, are magnanimously allowed to continue to pay the yearly interest on $150,000, with money diverted from its original object for the benefit of American citizens.

To return, however, to Ward's Island, where, since 1863, all the hospitals and refuges of the Commissioners are concentrated. We shall first give a brief description of the different buildings erected there in the course of years by the Commissioners for the use of the emigrants and the several employees. These buildings are:

The New Hospital.—This is the chief building of interest on the island, it having been constructed upon the most approved plans for perfect ventilation and all necessary comforts for the sick. It consists of a long corridor, 450 feet in length and 2 stories in height, from which project 5 wings, each 130 feet long and 25 feet wide, and 2 stories high, except the centre wing, which has 3 stories. It is used exclusively for non-contagious diseases and surgical cases. The corridor affords ample room for exercise for convalescent patients, as well as a connection for the separate wings. The corners of each wing are flanked with towers, which have upon their tops tanks for water; below and attached to each ward are bath-rooms and water-closets. The rooms are heated by