The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-13 00:00:00

case that men at the first sight of a danger shrink
from the severe and perhaps even desperate measures
necessary to avert it. The merchant captain may
be unwilling to cast his cargo overboard. The man
whose premises stand next to an unquenchable fire
is averse to have them destroyed to arrest its pro-
gress. The unfortunate sufferer from some terrible
accident is reluctant to consent to the amputation,
which alone gives him a chance of life. Yet in all
these cases if the natural feeling which shrinks
from meeting the danger as it were half-way be
indulged too long, the opportunity will be lost, and
the sacrifice, if made, may may be made in vain.
There has been a growing conviction in the country
fcr some time past, as week by week the catalogue
of loss and disaster increased, that something must
be done of an entirely exceptional nature. We
are willing for once to surrender or put aside our
boasted and cherished privileges of local govern-
ment, in order to submit to stringent and impera-
tive regulations, with the feeling that at least that
chance remains to be tried.
It is remarkable as evidencing the strength and
unanimity of the public opinion on this matter that
the only fault charged against Sir G. GREY'S Bill
was its leniency. Private members urged for more
wholesome prohibitions against removal, and for
further restrictions as to ports and quarantine. It
would, of course, be quite impossible to frame a
measure which should meet every objection and
completely satisfy every person, but we think that
the general feeling will be that the Government
have acted wisely and fairly. The Bill is far more
stringent and imperative in its nature than any
Minister would have thought of proposing three
months since, or than would have been then ap-
proved of, though by no means going beyond the
necessities of the case cr the public feeling in
favour of repressive measures. Sir G. GREY, in
bringing in his bill, observed that the attention of
the Government had been mainly directed to four
points : Ist, the compulsory slaughter of all in-
fected cattle with compensation ; 2d, the absolute
or qualified prohibition of the removal of cattle ;
3d, the isolation of suspected animals and the dis-
infection of suspended premises ; and, 4th, the re-
gulations as to cattle brought into the country by

sea. On these points considerable unanimity had
been expressed in the resolutions adopted by the
principal agricultural bodies of the kingdom,
and the objects of the Government were therefore
to lay down certain general rules from which no
local authority could depart, and to give the local
authorities discretionary powers on certain matters
of which they are best able to judge. Thus, with
regard to the slaughter of cattle, the bill proposed
to make it imperative on the local authorities to

order the slaughter of all infected animals, while
giving them a discretion respecting the slaughter
of animals which have been exposed to contagion.
The compensation in the first case is to be two-
thirds of the value of the animal slaughtered ; in
the second, three-fourths. On the subject of the
removal of cattle statutory restrictions are laid down,
leaving the application of them to the local au-
thorities. For a limited time the removal
of cattle by night is to be entirely prohibited, and
a general prohibition of the removal of cattle at

other times, except by licences, to be given by the
local authorities on certain conditions. Instead of
a penalty of £2O the driver is to be liable to arrest,
and the cattle to be slaughtered without compen-
sation. The local authorities are to have power
to proclaim a district infected, and to forbid
any removal whatever from it. The public sale of
lean or store cattle is to be prohibited for a time,
and no market for fat cattle held without special
license. No beast brought to market shall be re-
moved before being slaughtered, and foreign cattle
shall not be removed from the port of entry before
slaughter, with certain exceptions referring to Irish
cattle. There are certain minor provisions regard-
ing disinfection and other matters, but these are
naturally less important. Compensation is very
properly to be retrospective, dating from the time
when the slaughter of diseased animals was
rendered compulsory. Sir G. GREY proposes that
two - thirds of the required sum shall be
provided from the county rate, the remaining third
by a cattle rate not exceeding five shillings per
head, power being given to borrow on the security
of the rates, and the magistrates having the discretion
to remit the rates in cases where farmers have been
losers by the plague. So far the bill is very fair and sen-
sible, and well calculated to attain the desired objects.
The general feeling of the house seemed in its
favour, although Mr. HuTT proposed to bring in a
rival measure forbidding any removal of cattle
whatever. The house will have to decide between

these two measures, and it is possible they may
succeed in combining their principal features. We
only hope that Mr. GLADSTONE'S remarks on the
necessity of promptitude will be borne in mind, and
that no unnecessary obstacles will be put in the
way. It would be better to pass a bill less per-
fect in its details than to waste precious days in
debating it, seeing that the disease will not stay to
listen, and that now really nothing is being done to
arrest its fatal and destructive progress. It would
be well to adopt Sir G. GREY'S suggestions and
divide the bill into two parts, passing the vital por-
tion, about which all are agreed, without delay, and
leaving the manner of raising the rates, and other
questions which can safely be delayed, for further
consideration.

The latest intelligence from Jamaica informs us
of some important doings, and on the whole is very
satisfactory. The Commissioners have landed, and
were expected to commence proceedings in a formal
manner on the twenty-fifth. Prior to this Sir

HENRY STORKS delivered an opening address in a
very appropriate style; and, after declaring that the
Commission was open, he stated that they were
anxious to obtain the fullest information respecting
all the occurrences in the island, and that the inquiry
would be open. If any evidence was given which
criminated any one, he should be allowed to test its
validity, and to give counter evidence in reply.
One suggestion was made which was admirable--
namely, that the publication of evidence should be
left to the discretion of the gentlemen representing
the Press, but it was hoped that where any infor-
mation affected individuals criminally, the publica-
tion of it should be suspended until those individuals
had been heard. No one can doubt that Sir HENRY
STORKS has a most difficult task to perform, but it
must be admitted that he has shown every disposi-
tion to execute his duty in the best possible man-
ner. As to the concluding intimation that the
inquiry should be 4, full, searching, and impartial,"
that isallthat we desire, and that all independent
parties request both here and in the colony.
A special
commission has also been appointed
for the trial of prisoners. The Jamaica Legislature
has met and been prorogued, and in all probability
will meet no more, because the Chambers will cease
to exist when the QUEEN'S assent to the last Con-
stitution Bill appears in the Gazette by the notifi-
cation of the Governor.

It is very significant that at this special juncture
addresses should continue to pour in on Mr. EYRE
from white and coloured inhabitants, all testifying
to his judiciousness in so speedily quelling the in-
surrection, and thus preserving life and property.
The ladiee in Jamaica are yery enthusiastic in sup.