New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-30
rHE TROUBLES IN JAMAICA
GOVERNORS HIGH-HANDED ACTION RE-
GARpING TARIFF BILL"

.r,srRr STRONGLY OPPOSED IN THE 1sLAND--
ELECTIVE HOUSE THREATENS TO RESIGN
,.,...o, Jamaica. March 22-The political crisis
1naic, thar was foretold in dispatch OF feo-
-. ., hos developed The colony entered the
.~,,,a stage Yesterday evening, and what the next
,esk or day may bring forth II wouid heeu Z" "''0
Uophet TO forecast =, - .ho
Tho legislative Council met on March H. ana ING
.oyernor's address proved apparently most co''-
sria,orv manifesto to the people. The papers &C
sn,ed it with Joy. Within twenty-Ionr houIS'
,oxever il turned out TO be waste paper Al '"e
,ext DAVIS session the Government introduce"
lew tariff bill making drastic Innovations sue"
IS taxing at lsa4 per cent se"ihs-H'do"'''e.' -
,r,ers printing material stationery. printed DOCKS
-sDa,ore maya zines school books, etc, ana put
So on the free list luxures. including Photographic
appliances $780, 49, b,u ~
.bich they had no notice, and by soha' un"''-
,ors vote threw out the first reading hy
,u,bha the Governor ruled that the bill from tnat
roroent went into operation. adjourned the Couhci
,,,u to-day and instantly convened the II'NE
,ouncil which sustained his ruling ana orde''u ''0
lew tariff into immediate operation concufIen''E
,ith the existing one. which expires on March OIL
This arbitrary act. 1t is designated. cauSeu
,ommot.on in commercial circles. The genera
I'M vas not less excited. The newspapers raVed
md prophesed no end of evil Even The "'ea"ei'
,erhaps one OF the most conservative anu Ho',
sornmittal papers In the British colonies anu WIN
seceives Government money, set aside all restraint
md said: ,,.,~
.One is inclined to ask whether we are NUNS
,,asr R,itish rule or under the dominion OF some
Eastern potentate. The thing Is prePoS'eioH''
What is really desired? is il dsafecuon ana rio'
,mong the people? There Is no surer way OF prI"S
M this about than by pursuing course ''"' wa
make it appear t. them that their social ana INA"
teral elevation Is undesHen, anu 'lo N''''~
nay be disastrous
II was understood UP TO yesterday that the elect
NJ members had determined unanimously TO biocK
III further business until the Government yleloeu
10 their constitutional right to accept or REJECT
financial measures and withdrew the outrageous
tulirc as they expressed IT. by which the ne"
iariN had been forced on the country. and WHEREBY
,verv conceivable mechanical aid to industry ana
sterature had been subjected TO heavy taxation.
The Governor yesterday evening took steps TO
block this programme. He issued proclamation
proroeuing the Council and another convenns ~
n meet to-day . o'clock At the same Time ne
ssucd a manifesto declaring that with the con-
.urrcnce ana under the Instructions OF Mr, ChdiI-
borlain he would by this step ne enapled 10 e
ntroduce the tariff bill and carry II through TAX
ing such steps as necessary and a. ne Is ~
lhorzed by the constitution to take TO secure 'n"'
S;ais means Just what was forecast on reliable
Informal ion in the dispatch OF feOTudIN -, anu
toward which the Government mas Oeeu va. oN.i ~
namely. the numerical increase o. ''le ol"Is"l 80
30 As TO outvote the electives ana ioIce Hot go
men, measures against which the Representatives
are unanimous. -,
The tariff bin thus passed. Crown Colony bili
x expected to follow to be similarly torcel
through. To meet this CRISIS ~ Is mn h n RENE
sentatvcs held late last night II was unaAfnous,E
decided ;hat n the Government brings In new OH
fa-,T altogether they will resign their seats in
body. thus compelling an appeal 10 ;he voters