New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-12
JAMAICA.

tabllfhed JAMAICA And tbat ChDluet Noufd CON
sist of Eve Mnisters-nsmey, two in the Council, and
three in the House of Representatives. Subsequent
events would seem TO prevent the realization OF that
impression; but am happy 20 say, thar alter all tho
buneling and laundering in the Assembly, our wise
men have at length determined on framing new Con
sttuton very near 10 what is agreeable o the wishes
of the people and conformable TO the desire Of tho
British Government All chance OF collision between
the governing powers and the governed u.s. therefore, az
an end and there is before prospect Of peace and
quietness if not Of prosperity, which can never co
exist with bad government in any country and tho
compliments of the auspicous season OF the year. M
the midst of which have arrived are intermnsled
with the interchange OF congratulations, that the
peoples Representatives have, even at the eleventh
hour listened 10 the voice of reason and have agreed
to the establishment Of system OF Government better
suited to free people than that which prevailed and
agreeable with a state OF slavery.
You will remember in my last letter 1 mentioned
that the report by the Committee appointed 70 take
into consideration the Governors message, OF the 18th
October relating TO Responsible Government was, alter
a great deal of tinkering made such Otto use
vulgar phrase-that the Assembly agreed 10 refer &c
back TO the Committee for reconsideration. mo
amended report was presented 10 the House on ths
Goth inst and ordered 20 lie the table On the fol
lowing day il taken up and Immediately referred ~
a Committee of the Whole House on the state OF the
Island And now, behold great change seemed tn
have come over the minds of the honorable members
for whereas, former occasions the utmost difficulty
experienced IN dealing with the question, auu nos
y manifested TO il in every clause, IN the shape o.
impracticable and ncOmprehenslbe amendments which
were ordered 10 be printed thus causing frequent delays
in this instance the diligence and zeal that eynced
were truly praseworthy and had stranger from any
other part Of the world visited our House OF Assembly
on the 2st inst be would have been delighted with
the careful diligence of the members in dealing with
a question of such vast Importance, nor imagine
that the sefsame body of men bad two short
weeks before appeared so incompetent or unwilling
10 perform so responsible duty After several
sprited debates and divisions resulting in various ma
ores ii was finally settled that there shall be gen
uine Responsible Government consisting of four Mimic
ers or as many less the Governor may choose 10 ap
pont-namely one in the Council, and three or ess IN
the Assembly at salary OF Ec0Oeach per annum wins
further sum of $500 for the whole Ministry, for the
payment of clerks and other contingencies. On these
Ministers will deyoye the entire duty Of preparing the
necessary bills for introduction into either Legislative
Chamber, and the oversight of the finances oil tho
country The Council is to be enlarged from twelve
TO seventeen members, who are to be empowered to
initiate legislative measures other than bills OF supply
but they are to be deprived OF the exercise OF
executive functions, which they now possess,
under the character Of Pryy, as well as OF
A Legislative Council The Governor is 70 be empow-
cred to select his Prvy Council he may think IT.
without restriction as to person or number And with
the view to render the Legislative Council more indie
pendent of the Crown, provided that the members
shall hold Office for life instead OF during the pleasure
if the Crown at present and that only four OF them
shall be holders of any Office OF emOument under tho
Crown An attempt was made TO infuse little OF the
democratic element into the reform ed Council, by tho
election of six of its members but the motion was LOST
on division The report further recommends the grant
ing of perpetual revenue to meet the several changes
under the Civil List and il winds up with promise
TO amend the elective franchise II is TO be hoped that
the contemplated electoral reform will be one IN real
ity-and not in only 1t is something too absurd
for people numbering some 100000 souls to boast o.
the possession of popular representation with constit
uency of about 5000. The report as amended mas
been referred to the Finance Committee, with instrne
tons to bring in the necessary bill or bills coniorma
bic 10 the recommendations contained in the report
The House of Assembly adjourned on the 22d inst,
over the Christmas holidays, and will Reasonable or
the 18th January next ensuing Previous 20 the ad-
iournment the Governor gave his assent TO several
bills that had passed the other two branches OF the
Legislature, among them bill providing for the issno
of 10000 in Exchequer bile, bearing interest, Tor
the purpose of paying of the liabilities oil the past
year. -
The Coolies seem to be anxious to have the island tor
their own country. 44 OF these people left Montego
Bay for this city, under an escort OF Police on tho
2Oth in order to claim their return passages Despite
all that is said in favor of these people by those who
delight in the detracton of hardy peasantry,
candid individuals cannot but regard the evacuation OF
the island of every COoe in 1t, az " happy radiance
for bad rubbish" II is by educating and civzing
the sons of the SOIL and not by foolish, hair Drained
dated by the refuse of Europe and the rabbe Of Ana
an intelligent and industrious laboring class may ba
obtained Ii we to have immigration at all let IL
be spontaneous the part OF the inhabitants oil onef
countries like that great stream OF Immigration winch
hasfOr ages been pouring into your own great kepsb-
lie and this most desirable end only be attained
BY liberal and enlightened policy on the part OF our
legislators Whether or not this viii characterize tho
new form Of Government which is about to be naugu-
rated, time alone can develop. -
a. M al
have attracted the attention Of the Assembly during
the present session. are an inquiry into the practcar
bty Of remOdeng the institutions OF the Island, ana
the right Of the Crown to oil ali the baser
metals and the rhoe of the gold and silver that may be
developed by mining operations in the Island On tho
subject of the remodeng Of the institutions, the Com
mttee that were appointed TO make the inquiry have
made their first report Tecommendinga complete aifera
ton in our cumbrous and costly Judicial system by which
it will be greatly simped, and the cost materially re-
duced In regard to the mining rights OF the Crswn
correspondence between Sir Charles Grey and the Colo
NAL Secretary has been laid before the Assembly m mo
form of a message from Sir Henry Barkly, in whick
those rights acre asserted On Saturday last depu-
taon waited on Sir Henry, for the purpose OF repre-
septpQ the grievance TO His Excellency, when His EI
ceepcy gave the gentlemen TO hope that the night
of the Crown would be ceded to the Mining Companies
for period Of ten years In order TO afford them time
70 develop the mineral resources Of the Island after
which the right would be Transferred to the Island
Legislature
The Christmas holidays are passing of very quietly
with very little to distinguish the from the othe
periods Of the year.
Since the date Of my last letter another death has
occurred among the higher grade Of clergy in the
Island. The Rev John Stainsby ST., rector VI Hano-
YER. 10 no more. The vacancy has not yet been filed
The public health In good The weather s remark
bly, serene and cool in the mornings and evenings Az
usual at this season of the year. north winds prevail
very mild on the south side, but extremely bolserous