The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-07 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1866.

The approaching prorogation of Parliamen
naturally gives rise to some uneasiness lest anything
should be left undone for the protection of the
public health. Thanks to our system of divided
authority, excellent though it is in many respects,
the Executive has not, as in other countries,
the entire charge of sanitary matters. Mr. SMITH
last evening therefore asked the President of the
Poor-law Board, "whether, viewing the extensive
outburst of cholera in the eastern districts of
the metropolis, the Government were pre-
pared to allow Parliament to separate
without providing the means of summary
interference in cases where the vestries might ne-
glect the enforcement of sanitary precautions, or
might omit or delay the necessary arrangements for
the care of the sick and the separation of the
healthy from the dying and the dead." Mr.
AYRTON strongly urged the importance of at-
tending to the matter, and pointed out that
many of the evils complained of arose from the
unequal pressure of the rates in different parts of
the metropolis. Some other members advocated the
levying of a ld. rate on the metropolis for
necessary expenses, especially Mr. HENLEY, who,
in dwelling upon the urgency of the case,
reminded the Government that the cholera would
not wait till next February, but would do its work
while the members were away. The Chancellor
of the Exchequer thought it would be
unwise under the influence of a sudden
alarm to interfere with the principle of
local administration. At the same time he promised
that in case of great emergency the Government
would shrink from no responsibility. The new Pub-
lic Health Bill will greatly enlarge the powers
of the local boards, who at present have often great
difficulties to contend against when they try to do
their work efficiently. The owners of property are
often great offenders, and there is much trouble in
compelling them to do their duty to their tenants,
A different order of things must now be inaugurated
without delay.

Last night Mr. GURNEY explained an apparent
discrepancy that had occurred in his speech the
other evening, and in the report of the Commis-
sioners. The fact was, that a few months ago some
reports had been made to the authorities at Kings-
ton about some alleged drillings, near Kingston,
among the regroes ; but it turned out, upon inves-
tigation, they were of no importance. It was,
however, shown in the evidence given before
the Commissioners that at Stony Gut and
other parts in the neighbourhood of Morant
Bay midnight drillings went on under PAUL
BOGLE and others, and it was stated that 300
negroes came out upon a signal from BOGLE. lle
referred to these drillings the other night as a proof
of the organisation among the negroes before the
outbreak, and that it was not the result of the pro-
ceedings at the vestry. It is very satisfactory that
Mr. GURNEY should thus have plainly and positively
stated his conviction that there was in certain
parts of Jamaica an intention of rising among
the natives before the affair of Morant Bay,
because it has been over and over again declared
that all the riots that took place were in con-
sequence of the unwise steps taken by the
authorities, and they would not allow the term out-
break to be given to the disturbances. In nothing
that has occurred of late years has more prejudice
been displayed than in this Jamaica business, and,
of course, it is now quite impossible to eradicate the
impression that has been made in the minds of
many as to the great errors committed by the au-
thorities. This is to be regretted on every
account, and perhaps, in some respects, it may
be a good thing for Mr. EYRE if the Ja-
maica Committee fulfil their threat of pro-
secuting him, because it will bring the matter
in its true colours before the public. It has been
said that a fund will be raised called the Eyre
Defence Fund, and it would be a good thing if it
were so, because of course the expense would be
great which would be required for such a purpose,
and as a gentleman, who wrote to the Standard
of to-day, says, his thorough belief is that a " most
unjust outcry is raised against a man who did his
best, if not the best, which could be done at the
moment, and therefore he should not be immolated
to vulgar outcry." Mr. EYRE has been sacrificed to
clamour, and had Lord PALMERSTON or Lord DERBY
been at the head of the Government at the time of
the outbreak, we do not believe that he would have
been suspended, and thus had his case prejudged
most prejudicially,

Yesterday the Chamber of Deputies held its first
sitting, and, as might have been expected, the
greatest unanimity prevailed as to the expression of
opinion in favour of the Government. The senior
member of the house, General STAVENIIAGE, made
the opening speech, and declared that the Deputies
would be found quite willing to co-operate with the
Government in permanently securing the greatness
and liberty of Germany and Prussia. In conse-
quence of the resolute demeanour of their
Government, and the clever management of
the army, the enemy was conquered, and
their " heroic KING" had in a few weeks marched
to within a short distance of Vienna. In what
manner the KING displayed such heroism we are at
a loss to understand. He and Count BISMARCK
did not depart for the scat of war till victory had
virtually declared itself on the side of the Prussians,
and there was no such great bravery required in
anything that he undertook. If the Deputies and
those who send them to be their representatives
chose to be so taken in it is their own affair, and
they will now find out how grossly they have been
deceived. At present of course all wears a very
attractive hue, and the doings of the authorities
wear the aspect of devotion to the State, but
before long they will appear in a more true and
distinctive manner. 'When we consider under what
circumstances the Government and the last assem-
bly of Deputies
parted, it does indeed seem strange
that all things should have been so completelychanged,
and that the contending parties should now meet
on such amicable terms. Yet if we look more closely
into the matter, what do we find really altered in
the condition of affairs? In what has the Govern-
of Berlin given any indications of improvement,
and what guarantee is there for the Deputies that
the future will not be as bad aF3 the past, if, not