Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-25
GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH INDIA.

In the British House Of Commons, on the Sd instant,
or cHAHLEs WOOD made known the intentions Of the
British Government with regard to Indian administrations
lie commenced by audng to the magnitude Of the sub
ect-a subject which involved the veal or woe Of hum
dred million Of souls The act providing for the ROY.
eminent OF India expired in April next and therefore ID
was necessary TO egisate in present year Tie
pect OF the amount of public business next year rendered
Y not only desirable, but imperative 10 take the PRESENT
opportunity of dealing with this vast and momeptuous
question so far as the Legislature was concerned Her
estys Ministers were prepared to lay before the House
TIP plan they deem best for the happiness of the ebol
ofInda. Let the House amend it il they pleased ~. do
MOI let them delay it, The Marquis Of Dalhousie the
Gerner had written home by all means legislate NJ
on0e delay is Of danger and weakness After
such evidence Government would have totally mex
cus>be they had consented postpone their
Considerable Misrepresentation prevailed to the pro-
ges which India had made within the last twenty years
Thef disposition TO judge this subject by our
own lrogressa most fallacous test all events he
had Upon investigation, discovered that the statements
contahedn the petition from the native association
greatly exaggerated. He far, however, from saying
there lad not been sins of omission and commission
he mentioned variety of facts to show that great deal
had betn done in the way Of Improvement and that IL
hd not been effected it owing to the expensive
nIwhich we had been engaged. He reviewed the
amendments which had been made in the legal code Of
India and contended that justice had been fairly and i'm
PARTIAL administered by the English judicial officers
there wal defect anywhere it in the Queens courts
rather than in the Companys courts if he might judge
from the fate of appeals brought to be decided in
this country From return he showed that two-thirds
of the appeals from the Companys courts affirmed,
and one-Aird reversed while from the Queens courts
onethrd only affirmed and two thirds reversed Tho
native courts had improved in their Tone and they now
decided large proportion of the whole civil business Of
India
He then passed the question Of public works. and
deliberately described additions and improvements made
in the roads lie admitted that the great north road
in wretched state but all those of commercial impor-
lance had been greatly improved whilst the interior
munications with the coast by road and canal were
tending The construction Of railways had commenced
in each of the three presidence and had been par
italy opened He showed that much had been done for
the extension of irrigation Measures had been taken
put all such works upon better footing by means Of
effective superintendent and annual estimates
He then referred to improvements made in the tenure
Of land and in connection with this subject showed that
the growth Of cotton had been encouraged The Ameri
plant could be grown in almost every part of the Pre-
sidency of Madras And the Government having
tanned this fact it rested with private enterprise pro-
mote and encourage its growth He had doubt that
good and certain market provided for it in this
country the plant would be cultivated to very great
extent
The Of the country had decidedly improved OF
late years He admitted that the duty salt was OBJ
jeconable; but it the only article of consumption
i which taxed, and it not oppressive for the
average annual amount of it only ninetenhs per
1 head
Much then had been done the last twenty years for
1 the Improvement of the people of which might be
proud besides the dscontnuance of nantcde and other
revolving crimes The country indeed in bet
condition. morally than at any previous period He
nothing show that the condition of the peasanry
of India not fully equal that of any other civilized
nation in the world Exports from India had in the last
twenty years. increased in far greater ratio than
those of this country and immense increase had also
taken place in the Imports it important them that
these pcopa should be well governed and he would
proceed consider this subject in two branches the
government in India and the government at home
He first described the Government at home He stated
the principal accusations against the Home Government
defended it from Them and reviewed several recommen
dations for its change Lord Eenboroughs plan would
be a double Government under another Lord Hsr-
dnge, most competent authority it as his opinion
that the double form of Government the best With
regard to the intentions of Government the proposal
maintain the present form Of Government, but to i'm
prove the Court Of Directors by reducing the number to
twelve and add six from the Indian service. With
gard patronage it proposed to do away with nomi
nations AS regarded the civil service the introduction
Of military colleges and to be assistant surgeons compe
tency win be tested by examination The Board of Di
have e500 EACH and the chairman and deputy
chairman 81 900 each As regards India improvements
to be made the constitution Of the councils and in
the administration of justice The laws be digest
ed into CODE The Queens Courts and the Company 3
Courts to be consolidated Sir c. Wood concluded
five hours speech by declaring the determination Of Gov
eminent promote the education Of the people Of India
and to respect their religion.
Mr. BRIGHT followed, accusing Government of vacilla-
ton and advocating delay, when Mr.. Phlimore moved
adjournment of the debate, which agreed to-