The Commonwealth. — 1866-07-14 (London, England)

THE JAMAICA COMMITTEE.  A. special meeting of this committee was held on Monday evening at Radley's Hotel; Mr. P. A. Taylor, M.P. in the chair. Amongst those present were Sir T. F. Buxton, M P., Mr. Bright, M.P., Mr. John Stuart Mill, M.P., Mr. Charles Buxton, M.P., Mr. J. Burke, solicitor of Kingston. Jamaica, Mr. W. Sheen, Professor Goldwin Smith, Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Frederick Harrison, and Mr. M`Arthur. The Chairman explained that it had become necessary to call the meeting in consequence of the letter which Mr. Charles Buxton had published, resigning the ohairmanehip of the committee, on the ground that he dissented from the resolution to prosecute Mr. Eyre for the murder of Mr. Gordon. He (Mr. Taylor) thought that Mr. Buxton was in error in stating that the Jamaica Committee had decided by a majority " that Mr. Eyre should be prosecuted for the murder of Mr. Gordon, either through the Government or by Mrs. Gordon." Now, the fact was, the resolution went no further than this—that the committee thought the Government ought to institute a prosecution, and that they would press upon them to do so, and that in the event of the Government not doing so, they would give Mrs. Gordon every assistance if she prosecuted (hear). Having dwelt upon the extreme inconvenience of the course Mr. Buxton had thought fit to follow, and after referring to Mrs. Gordon's unwillingness to prosecute, lest she might appear to be influenced by personal vengeance, Mr. Taylor said the question to be decided was—on what principle were they prepared, for the future, to act (hear, hear) ? Mr. C. Buxton, M.P., said that what occurred was this :—There were two meetings held to discuss the qeestion of prosecuting Mr. Eyre, and at the last meeting it was decided to prosecute by a division of 11 to 3. Next day he saw the resolution published in the papers, not the slightest hint being given that there was any difference of opinion in the committee. It was impossible that he could allow his position with reference to this matter to he misunderstood. If they could have prosecuted Kr. Eyre for misgoverning the colony he would have been ready to tak , action in the matter, but he could not look upon him as being guilty of the deliberate murder of Mr. Gordon. With re.pect to Mrs. Gordon, he had not soon or communicated with her, and the sot of which the chairman spoke must have been voluntary on her part, as far ar he knew. . . _  Mr. Bright, M P., said that Mr. Buxton was quite at liberty to differ from the committee, and if the difference was on a matter of vital irnportence, to withdraw from the committee; but he had not done that. The committee did not even divide; and he (Ur. Bright) went away from the meeting under the impression that Mr. Buxton, seeing the great majority of the committee on one side, might probably feel himself able to go with them. Two days after they saw this very letter—this very speech made at the meeting—in the newspapers, although there were no means taken to report the obeervations of members on the other side of the question. When he (Hr. Bright) moved the resolutions with regard to the prosecution of Mr. Eyre, he put them in words having special reference to the point whether Mrs. Gordon would undertake the prosecution or not, as he had not come to the conclusion that it was desirable for the committee to pro- • seaute if Mrs. Gordon would have nothing to do with the prosecution. As to prosecuting Mr. Eyre for a misdemeanour, Mr. Buxton spoke of the crime as if it was not murder. He (Mr. Bright) recollected at the meeting of rerlieneent he discussed this question with one of the oldest and most esteemed judged in Englend, who said—not in his (Mr. Bright'e) presence alone, but before several persons—that in his whole life he bad never seen or known a case more distinctly of murder than the putting of Mr. Gordon to death. Ris opinion distinctly and clearly was that if Mrs. Gordoe was willing in her own name to commence proceedings with a prosecution of Mr. Eyre, the committee should undertake to collect fends and give her such legal assistaues as was in their power (hear, hear). Bat if Mrs. Gordon was prevented by anybody from prosecuting, and was altogether against such a thing as a prosecution, it would make the position of the committee more diffieult, and the whole question would have to be reeanesidered.  Mr. Ludlow moved "'Net tbia committee approves and confirms the resolutions passed by the executive committee on the 26th of June."  Professor Goldin Smith seconded the resolation in an able speenh. _ _ _  Sir T. P. Buxton defended the mune pursued by Mr. C. Buxton. Several members of the committee havi t. spoken, The resolution was carried, there beim.: but one diesentieot. On the motion of Mr. Beale, Mr. John Stuart Mill, m.p., was unatiimously elected chairman of the coinmittee._  --Mr. Mill, M.P., said: Gentlemen, I thank you for this honour and mark of 3,our confidence. I accept the post you have given me ((sheers). I do so in the fall c9nviction that the objects of this committee are simply to ascertain whether there exists in this country any means for making a British functionary responsible for blood üblawfully shed (applause)—‘, and whether that be murder or not.. I believe it to be murder (hear, hear). Tnis committee ought not to rest until it obtains from the legis,ature the assurance that men like Mr. Eyre will be made responsible for the'r criminal actions (bear, heat). Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs. Gorrie and Payne for their services in Jamaica, and to the chairman, after which the meeting separated.  The Tragedy in Yorkshire.—An inquest has been held on the body of the man Smith, who, after murdering Sarah and Emma, his two daughters, committed suicide. The evidence showed that about two years ago deceased threatened to kill himself in consequence of the conduct of hi,, wife. Shortly after she was taken to the asylum, where she has been confined ever 12 ince. Daring that. time he and his children have managed the hom.ehold affairs. There were three children and the tether, all of whom slept in one bed. The house was wretchedly furnished. The evidence of the manager at Nlesrs. Cro,.sley's was that no more orderly man entered the works. The neighbours of deceased spoke of him as a quiet, sober man. A verdict of "Wilful murder" was returned against the deceased, but as to his state of mind there was no a ' evidence.