The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-03-04

he attention Of the people Of Great Britain,
s the futuic government Of India. The sub
ct is already before Parliament. and it is
one demanding the highest abilities Of her
statesman, for upon its decision, more than
any other event. depend the future power
and welfare Of England. The territories un-
der British control in India embrace popu-
lation of nearly 200, oOo, 900, being about one
fifth of all the inhabitants Of the globe. This
fact is a magnificent tribute to the country
and race that have gained the sway over so
large portion Of the world, and by the be- |
nevolsnt exercise of its power can confer the |
blessings CT liberty and civilization on 40
large. a portion Of the human race. England
by wisdom and justice to the conquered
tribes Of India may present the grandest
spectacle of national greatness, the world has
ever exhibited, by carrying back to the birth
place of human learning, her literature, sci
encc, and arts--making her conquests the
trump of civilization and of civil and po-
litical freedom.
The country governed by Britain in India
is nearly equal in extent to one halt Of Eu-
rope. The Bengal Presidency contains near
" 700 persons to the square mile; while Bel
GUM the most populous country Of Europe
has but 3S7-England but so4-Ireland 242
Scotland llo-and France but les. Not
withstanding the vast forests and mountain
ranges, the average population Of British In .
dia is I24 to tho square mile.
The trade with India is one Of tho chief
sources Of English wealth and power. A
largo portion of British labor is employed on
the exports to India. India not only sur
ports good share of English labor at home,
but she has more than $4,000 English Of
feials, merchants, Spectators, artizans and
mechanics living in the Various prcsidencies,
whose annual remittanccs to England Of
their profits is estimated at $5o, 900 900. In
dia besides pays q revenue into the Golfers OF
the Colonial government of nearly $50 ,00o,-
600 annually, out of which an English army
of from 80, 900 to so 900 men are supported
forming school that has given her all Of
her ablcst generals, and preserved the pres
tigc Of her military glory.
Il "A
pany's charter in 1888, its commercial char.
actcr was entirely taken away, Its priv.
leges for trading wero to cease on the ed o
April, 1894, and it was required immcdia.el,
to dispose ofits stocks and wind up business
All its real and personal property were vest
ed in the Crown, to be managed by the com
pany, for the benefit of the public treasury
> subject to all debts, contracts and charges
: and to the payment Of dividend Of 1911 pc
) cent. per annum to the proprictors Of th
/; stock. The machinery Of Government ha
been apparently in the hands Of q court o
directors elected by the company; but tn
company's directors are under the supcrvis
ion of board of control appointed by tn
. Crown, consisting Of six members Of tn
Privy Council, who were empowered. t
, check, superintend and control all acts, op
erations and concerns which in any wise re
, late to the civil or military government o
revenues Of the territories and possessions Q
, the East India Company. With the abroga
ton of the trading privileges in 1884, III
] board CT control became the real vernir
l body of all the affairs Of tho company, when
ever it should choose to interpose; and
give greater efficiency to the exercise of thi
. power, secret committee Of three Of til
company's directors was created, who hav
: acted rs the agents of the board of control
t through whom great share Of the bushes
c is transacted without consulting the board Q
y directors. Tho English Ministry have |
( this way virtually governed India for I'll
last twenty years. The principal power pos
scssed by the company has been in the man
agement Of the revenues; the land tax an
i the opium trade, by which they secured thei
: interest Of lo11 per cent on their stock. TIL
political power of the company has been 70
many years confined to the rejection or rec,
: Of the Governor General.
{ The last act ofincorporation in 1884, whic
: was for twenty years only, contemplated ii
dissolution Of the company at the end o { Il
term, and made provisions for it. The gov
eminent reserved the right to buy out tn
capital of the company, ut 1900 for al0o {
. the par value, at any timo after ls74-if Il
n charter was not previously abrogated-b,
, undertook to pay the same, If claimed, aft,
S three years notice, il the company were pr,
viously dissolved, after 1854.
The government of India will no longer
, carried on in the name Of corporation, b.
l. directly under the authority Of tho crow
/. and the responsibility Of ministers, as an il
:. tsgral part Of the British Empire.
So far as the company is concerned, Il
abolishing Of this double government is sin
ply question of business detail, which il
D. wolves no great question. They may make
:, more or less good bargain in the release
:: these claims, and may at least cquitably d
u mand the redemption Of their tea and hu
T. per cent. annuity, ut one hundred per Ger
Is advance on the nominal par of the stock.
IN But these are insignificant matters compa
ne cd with the political difficulty, Of rcconstruc
- ing the whole administration Of India, pr
, viding a new government for two hnndr
= millions Of people, of q multitude of tribt
languages and religions, who have been mi
&c governed for hundred years, and driven
o. misgovernment into revolt, and who are fiji
le to be subdued ard pacifed, and then made
nc feel that they are the subjects of wise al
"a benevolent care. The framing Of such il
situations, and the putting of them into G
fective operation, is task for the highs
OF wisdom and courage of Great Britain. and