Fix this text
THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. 7—No. 84.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1881.
Fix this textPrice —3d.
Fix this textbulletin.
Fix this textSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1881.
Fix this textMr. Copeland’s Motion.
Fix this textThe individual weakness of “ the strongest
Fix this textGovernment ” has been repeatedly exposed when-
Fix this textever members of the Administration have been
Fix this textplaced under the necessity of striking out a line of
Fix this textaction for themselves, or of justifying such action
Fix this textwhen accomplished. But all previous exhibitions
Fix this textof this kind were surpassed by the feebleness of
Fix this texthe attempt made by the Colonial Treasurer to
Fix this textreply to the motion and strictures of Mr. Cope-
Fix this textland, on last Tuesday night. That motion might
Fix this textwith perfect justice have been made infinitely
Fix this textmore comprehensive in its scope; but it is easy to
Fix this textunderstand, in view of the present condition of
Fix this textthe Assembly, why the mover elected to base his
Fix this textcensure upon one detached feature of the mal-
Fix this textadministration for which the Ministry is respon-
Fix this textsible. There has been, ever since this Parliament
Fix this textwas called together, an unmistakeable timidity on
Fix this textthe part of new members, when called upon to
Fix this textreview the acts of the Administration, and a
Fix this textpatent disposition to condone any blunder—we
Fix this textmight almost say any crime—which might be
Fix this textdue to Ministerial incompetency, in preference
Fix this textto facing the responsibility of bringing about
Fix this texta change of Government. The wider the
Fix this textscope of censure, therefore, which a member in
Fix this textOpposition should give, the more avenues for
Fix this textescape from recording a vote on the logical merits
Fix this textof the case would weak-kneed members of Parlia-
Fix this textment have discovered. Mr. Copeland adopted
Fix this texta sagacious course in narrowing the issues, and
Fix this textcornering shufflers. The debate might cover
Fix this textwhat ground the forms of the House permitted,
Fix this textbut the ultimate question to be affirmed or
Fix this textnegatived remained always—whether in shutting
Fix this textup healthy persons in premises occupied by
Fix this textsufferers from a malignant, most infectious, and
Fix this textdeadly disease, the Government had or had not
Fix this textexercised their authority in a legal, an intelligent,
Fix this texthumane, and commendable manner.
Fix this text** • •
Fix this textTaking the legal aspect alone, what could have
Fix this textbeen weaker or more disingenuous than the reply
Fix this textof the Colonial Treasurer ? Mr. Watson quoted
Fix this texta clause which did not meet the charge of illegality
Fix this textat all. That clause, upon which he relied for
Fix this textjustification, confers, indeed, authority to cut off
Fix this textpersons sick of an infectious disease from the
Fix this textgeneral community, but it gave no power
Fix this textwhatever to coop up with the patients un-
Fix this texthappy people who have no malady at
Fix this textall. But, even supposing that Ministers had,
Fix this textby raking the statutory dust-bins for some enact-
Fix this textment which should justify their hysterical acts of
Fix this textimpotent flurry, turned up some clause which had
Fix this textactually conferred upon them the power which the
Fix this textlaw quoted by the Treasurer did not confer,
Fix this textwould that have been justification ? There lie in
Fix this textthe statute-books many obscure enactments, the
Fix this textevidences and outcomes of human fallibility and
Fix this textantecedent perversity, which have fallen into
Fix this textdesuetude and oblivion, as being contrary to the
Fix this textspirit of justice and the public good. Had there
Fix this textexisted any law—any clause—which could, by the
Fix this textingenuity of rulers eager to escape the penalty
Fix this textdue to their own incompetency, be twisted into
Fix this textmeaning that they might lawfully coop up healthy
Fix this textpeople with sufferers from a malignantly infectious
Fix this textdisease, would that justify the act ? Could the
Fix this textrecorded stupidity and inhumanity of a past
Fix this textgeneration of law-makers justify adoption of like
Fix this textideas by Administrators of to-day ? If such a law
Fix this texthad existed, it was plainly—nay, glaringly—repug-
Fix this textnant to modern knowledge, to public decency, to
Fix this textordinary humanity.
Fix this text* * *
Fix this textTake the case of those most unfori unate victims
Fix this textof the Government, who were imprisoned in the
Fix this texthouse at the Haymarket. Sixteen people, all at
Fix this textthe time without any symptom of disease, were
Fix this textcooped up in premises of limited dimensions,
Fix this textpoorly ventilated, and in a densely crowded part
Fix this textof the city—in which premises one sick of small-
Fix this textpox had been lying for days. Two of these most
Fix this textunhappy prisoners have caught the malady : how
Fix this textcould it have been otherwise? Was it humanity—
Fix this textwas it necessity—was it sense—that such means of
Fix this text“stamping out the disease” were taken? This
Fix this textis the question which Mr. Copeland has asked
Fix this textthe representatives of the people to decide. For
Fix this textthis decision, the people—perhaps not yet tho-
Fix this textroughly aroused to perceive how vitally the issue
Fix this textaffects the popular liberties, nay, the very right
Fix this textto existence —will, sooner or later, call their repre-
Fix this textsentatives to account. No one but a fool—or a
Fix this textmember of the “ strongest” Government —imagines
Fix this textthat we have seen the worst of the epidemic. Con-
Fix this textsidering the trouble which the Government has
Fix this textbeen at to establish centres of infection in differ-
Fix this textent parts of the city—and to stock them—it is but
Fix this textreasonable to look for a spread of the disease to
Fix this textwhich its present prevalence will be as a flea-bite
Fix this textto a cancer.
Fix this text# # #
Fix this textIt could not, of course, be expected that the
Fix this textdiscussion would be restricted to the particular
Fix this textfeature of mal-administration challenged by Mr.
Fix this textCopeland. The air has been too heavily charged
Fix this textwith the bruit of kindred neglects and iniquitous
Fix this textincompetences for that. The Government have
Fix this textseemed neither competent to arrange one thing
Fix this textnor another. While they shut up healthy people
Fix this textto catch the disease, they drag patients in high
Fix this textfever from their beds, and. depositing them in
Fix this texta leaky open boat, tow them through the raw
Fix this textdrizzle of a wintry morning, down the harbour.
Fix this textThey place sick patients on board of a “ hospital ”
Fix this textship where there is no nurse. They destroy the
Fix this textgarments of their detenues, and neglect to provide
Fix this textsubstitutes. They give them rough shanties for
Fix this texttheir better cure, and religiously keep commodious
Fix this textand airy buildings closed against them, because
Fix this textthese are for “ first-class ” ship passengers.
Fix this text# # *
Fix this textTo all these charges, their replies are of an
Fix this textinvariable kind. They plead incompetency, in
Fix this textfact, and cower behind the professional gown of
Fix this texttheir medical adviser. It does not seem to occur
Fix this textto them that a man does not need to be a doctor
Fix this textto have common sense, or to hold a medical
Fix this textdiploma to have the talent for governing. The
Fix this textgenius of the man born to rule consists in no
Fix this textslight measure of an aptness for distinguishing
Fix this textcapable instruments, a promptness in discovering
Fix this textthe right men to perform what the exigencies of
Fix this textany situation require, a resoluteness in substitu-
Fix this texting efficients for inefficients without delay, and an
Fix this textinstinct for rapid organization. The Ministry
Fix this texthave exposed their deficiency of all these qualities;
Fix this textyet the majority in the Assembly are disposed to
Fix this textlet them continue to govern. In taking this
Fix this textcourse, that majority pays to its own members a
Fix this textpoor compliment. Admitting that the weak and
Fix this textinsufficient men who make up the nucleus of the
Fix this text“ strong Government” are fit to lead them, how
Fix this textdo they fix their own rating P
Fix this textThe Late Right Rev. Dr. O’Quinn, Roman
Fix this textCatholic Bishop of Brisbane.
Fix this textThe late R.C. Bishop of Brisbane, who died on
Fix this textthe 17th August last, had been identified for so
Fix this textmany years with the colony of Queensland that
Fix this texthis successor will scarcely fill the blank created by
Fix this textthe decease of the late prelate. Bishop O’Quinn’s
Fix this textimposing figure and dignified face were familiar to
Fix this textall Brisbane people, and indeed had been seen in
Fix this textmost parts of Queensland where settlement had
Fix this texttaken place. Dr. O’Quinn was born at Rathbawn,
Fix this textCounty Kildare, Ireland, in 1819, and educated for
Fix this textthe priesthood, under the guardianship of his
Fix this textuncle, Monsignor Doyle. His preliminary studies
Fix this textwere conducted at a classical academy at Dublin,
Fix this textwhence he was removed, at the age of 17, to the
Fix this textIrish College at Rome. There he graduated with
Fix this texthigh honours, receiving the degree of Doctor of
Fix this textDivinity, and a gold medal, from Pope Gregory
Fix this textXVI. Dr. O’Qninn devoted himself to educa-
Fix this texttional labours, and founded with the proceeds of
Fix this texta legacy left him by his uncle a Catholic school at
Fix this textDublin. This he conducted with so much ability
Fix this textthat the then Rector of the Catholic University
Fix this textnow Cardinal Newman, admitted the school to
Fix this textaffiliation with the University. Cardinal Cullen
Fix this textalso became aware of the talents of Dr. O’Quinn,
Fix this textand on his recommendation the appointment
Fix this textof the first bishop of the See of Brisbane was
Fix this textconferred upon the successful instructor of youth,
Fix this textthen first attaining the fulness of his mental
Fix this textpowers and vigour. The Bishop reached Brisbane
Fix this textvia Melbourne on the 10th May, 1861, and entered
Fix this textupon the duties of his episcopate with an ardour
Fix this textwhich never abated to the day of his death—a
Fix this textdemise clearly accelerated by the exposure to
Fix this textwhich the Prelate subjected himself in travelling
Fix this textthrough the diocese. There is scarcely any part of
Fix this textQueensland where settlement spread or gold discov-
Fix this texteries attracted population .that has not been visited,
Fix this textand generally early in its career, by this active
Fix this textpastor. Violent rheumatic attacks gradually
Fix this textundermined Dr. O’Quinn’s physical strength, and
Fix this textlatterly the saddle-horse was abandoned for the
Fix this texthuggy. The energy of the Bishop was, however,
Fix this textno whit abated, and up to the last the guidance of
Fix this texthis flock filled his mind and occupied his time.
Fix this textDr. O’Quinn was a man of commanding stature,
Fix this textfine presence, and regular (though somewhat
Fix this textstern) features. In society, he was seldom
Fix this textseen, but when thrown by accident, or in
Fix this textpursuanie of his duties, into mixed companion-
Fix this textship, his manners had all the polish of the Irish
Fix this textgentleman, and no inconsiderable tinge of the
Fix this texthumour belonging to his race could be discovered
Fix this textin his genial conversation. His life was not un-
Fix this textchequered by trials. There were times when—
Fix this texteven by some among his own flock—he was mis-
Fix this textunderstood, and his purposes misconstrued. He
Fix this textwas accused of building up a fortune for himself —
Fix this texta charge shattered with mournful completeness by
Fix this textthe terms of his will, which devised all his posses-
Fix this textsions to the purposes of that church for which he
Fix this textlaboured so well. The remains of Bishop O’Quinn
Fix this textrest in the Cathedral of Brisbane—a monument of
Fix this textthe devotion of a single generation, a noble pile,
Fix this textwhich has grown up where the Bishop found a
Fix this textmere hamlet.
Fix this text[From a bust by Simonetti.]
Fix this textThe late Marcus Clarke.
Fix this textSubscriptions in aid of the widow and children
Fix this textof the late Mr. Marcus Clarek, the distin-
Fix this textguished Victorian journalist and author of
Fix this text“His Natural Life," will be thankfully acknow-
Fix this textledged by the Editor of The Bulletin, who
Fix this textwill also be glad to receive subscriptions to the
Fix this textmemorial volume of Mr. Clarke’s collected
Fix this textwritings, now in the press. One guinea will be
Fix this textthe price of the book, orders for which, accom-
Fix this textpanied by cheques, must be in before 30th Sept.
Fix this textApart altogether from the value of the volume
Fix this textas a substantial and interesting memento of the
Fix this textmost brilliant man of letters this country has
Fix this textyet seen, the object of its publication, now well-
Fix this textknown to our readers, is such as to commend
Fix this textitself to the sympathy of every Australian.
Fix this textSpecial attention is directed to the matinee
Fix this textperformance which takes place on Wednesday
Fix this textnext, at the Theatre Eoyal.
Fix this textPLAIN ENGLISH.
Fix this text“Water!”
Fix this textFrom the very earliest dawn of Australian history, this
Fix this textsimple cry has dominated over all others. It has been
Fix this texta plague and a torment to ourselves, and a bugbear t«
Fix this textothers who were eager to join us. It came in a bitter
Fix this textwail of lamentation from the lips of early explorers,
Fix this textparched and withered by the blasting drought. It
Fix this textcame with growling and cursing, and savage complaints
Fix this textfrom burned-out pastoral itss, driven backward with their
Fix this textperishing flocks ; the digger and the farmer have joined
Fix this textin it; and, at various epochs, the whole community
Fix this texthave joined in prayer and supplication, or blaspheming
Fix this textand complaint, according to their divers moods, —
Fix this textand the one form of utterance has been as prolific of
Fix this textresult as the other. Men might have howled till the
Fix this textworld grew cold as the moon, and the inner land
Fix this textwould have remained unlocked; but, happily, there
Fix this textwere a few practical pioneers who had very little faith
Fix this textin supplication, and a very great faith in applied force.
Fix this textThey went out with pick and shovel and plough and
Fix this textscoop, and made tanks and dams, and found straight-
Fix this textway that the Heavens were sufficiently bountiful to fill
Fix this textthem with water. The arid desert became a fable, and
Fix this textmany back-block properties became worth six figures.
Fix this textLater on, gold glittered through the sand, and the
Fix this textminer went out for it—by hundreds, by thousands. He
Fix this textwould go by tens of thousands, but for the old cry of
Fix this textterror. He might be led out as the sheep of the pas-
Fix this texttoralist and located upon pastures lucrative and secure.
Fix this textHe would thrive there, and the heart of the continent
Fix this textwould unfold itself to his efforts. Mount Browne
Fix this textmight, within five years, become world-famous as
Fix this textBallarat or Bendigo, had the paternal Government of
Fix this textNew South Wales but the same regard for the perse-
Fix this textvering miner, the hungry squatter has for his sheep.
Fix this textWho can tell us why nothing is done to provide even a
Fix this texttemporary water supply for those inland diggers ? Is
Fix this textit because they have no political power out there ?
Fix this textThey are without votes, and the unfortunate devil in
Fix this textthat position is to the paternal Government even as a
Fix this textsheep which will grow no fleece. A hamlet with a popn-
Fix this textTHE LATE RIGHT REV. DR. JAMES O’QUINN, R.C. BISHOP OF BRISBANE.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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(1880). The bulletin Retrieved March 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134048487
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 29 March 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134048487>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 29 March 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134048487
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 7 No. 84 (3 Sept 1881)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134048487
| id=nla.obj-134048487
| access-date=29 March 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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