The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-21
JAMAICA.

NEW CRIMINAL CODE PREPARED BY THE BKrTIsH
RULERS OF THE IsLAND--EDrroRs TO BE
FLodGED--LAw WITHOUT REASON or JUSTICE.
KINGSTON JAM. Feb. -. 1879.
The air is filled with mutterings OF discomfort. II
there any possibility of success an open revolt
against British domination could be organized to-
morrow. In the panic of 1866 the people Of
Jamaica foolishly gave up their charter.
granted them by Charles II. Thus the island
lost its constitution and became Grown
colony" like Ascension and tho Falkland Islands,
governed by Captain General OF tho Legislative
Council eight members are officials commissioned
by the Queen and four are non-ofiicial residents.
nominsted by the Governor. without whose sanction
no measure can be introduced and no question de-
batctl. The common law of England, which replaced
the statutes of Jamaica when the constitution was
surrendered found ineffective for negro govern
ment and tho Colonial Office. therefore, through Sir
Henry Taylor, instructed Mr.. II. 4. Wright TO pre-
pare for Jamaica q penal code and a criminal pro.
ccdure code, under which public prosecutors should
enforce the provisions Of the former.
SECRET CODE.
One hundred copies OF each only were printed for
the use OF tho home authorities and the Colonial
Legislative Council SO that the press had no oppor-
tunty of seeing the law bills before they were read
second time, but the assurance OF the Attorney
General that the Code that which had been,
adopted in India and would be enacted In England.
they expressed general approval OF it's provisions.
Uniuckily for the bills however, the editor OF the
Kingston Cleaner secured a copy and convened next
morning at the commercial rooms meeting OF the
journalists and printers Of the city to discuss SOC
a newspaper who incautiously admitted libel into
his paper amcnablc TO i've years penal servitude
and hogging with cat o nine tails, no option pcn8
left to the Judge TO impose fine
SLAVERY on WORSE.
After brief discussion they appointed commit
toe TO petition the Council TO delay the bill and hear
them at the bar Of the House against this special
clause, limiting that otherwise they would petition
the Throne itself directly. On this the Council hea
its hand and stayed still longer day after dny.
the editor in series OF leading articles, analy
and held up to rdicule the Of thecodcs Under
their provisions a man might I've accused tried. con-
viced and sentenced and have his property
during his absence; or. IL he were apprehended COM
mttcd for trial without preliminary inquiry ana
tried by Judge without jury; wrongly convicted.
sentenced on appeal 20 greater punishment or Tor
another crime than that for which he was convicted
and at tho option OF the Governor. imprisoned Tor
longer period than the term OF his sentence. nc
the proceedings he conducted with closed doors, pc
ing commenced. continued or removed to any place
the judge or public prosecutor chose 10 d'rec1
ANYBODY.
But the public amazerlent at these nfringemente
on the rights held sacred by British Lawmakers WAS
succeeded by greater indignation when the eonso.
erations by Sir Henry Taylor which the Code nad
been drafted were reviewed. IN was FOUND tnao
he rejected the msSms tnat tho ,,sa ,nn",
cent until proved suilty-tbe prisoners oughs
not TO be required TO criminatc themselves
aud are not 10 be tried twice for the same
offence On the contrary. he declared hanging man
by mistake matter of ind hrence. go long ~ he was
q notorious
on other grounds He preferred TO imprson habitnL
thieves life seeking to reclaim them and pro-
posed that their list OF former convictions should
DC read over the Jury before they returned their
verdict, because IL they found man guilty and he
was not he was probably guilty Of some undeteced
crime. These views were implicitly followed by MT.
Wright, with the result that tho Council have re-
ferrcd the cxccratcd clause back TO England despair
ing in the face of the united PRESS ability to pass
utterly opposed 10 the spirit Of British egs-
lation.
VINCENT.
Tho riots at 81. Vincent have been quellcd I'M
happily not without bloodshed. 1t seems that, Ike
the bamboula dance. for which the blacks OF ST.
Thomas used 10 entertain such passion. the blacks
of ST. Vincent rejoice in an equally rcpulsve me nue.
ccncy in masquerade garb during the week of St VAL
entne. Strict orders were this given TO rcpress
the custom, and the police. in endeavoring TO do
resisted, stoned and driven back TO theirBar-
racks the mob threatening to burn down the town.
Arson liz n favorite amusement of the negro as the
very recent experience Of more than planter In
Barbados testify.
Kingston Is striving to become shipbuilding
port Aided by the advice and supervision of Cap
tain Low, of the Atlas Steamship Company, Now
York, tho first steamboat built in Jamaica was
successfully launched recently a the yard OF Mcssrs
vcrioy 4 Robinson She will be cmploycd In the
coasting trade.