, 1867-08-16
FOR ST. CROIX.

district (Ratclife) proposed that the present
Bill be referred to a Committee.
The LIST member for Frederiksted's town
(Sarauw), stated, that the appointment of a
committee on the Bill would protract the
decision of the Budget. His suggestion is only
intended to call forth an investigation of the
supports. He was of the opinion, that the
provision contained in the Regulations for the
Poor Establishment respecting an annual revi-
sion by the oor-Commission was yet in force;
formerly q report was rendered to the Burgher
Council, however not regularly; nor did it
always result in further reductions; he consi-
dered the Government was now the authority
to cause the revision.
The Chairman observed, that according to
the Rules of Business no amendment could be
introduced at this End discussion of the case
except done by the Government.
The lst member for Frederiksted's town
{Sarauw) observed, that his proposal was only a
suggestion to the Governor.
The Governor observed, that at the 1St dis
cussion he drew the Councils attention to the
gradual increase of the support to paupers in
Christiansted for the purpose of causing a discus
sion on that subject in the Council, that it was
his ~intentian to inform the Poor Commission in
Christiansted of the remarks expressed in the
Council, and did not doubt but that the Com
mission would take due notice of them in grant
ing future supports as we'll as a reduction in
the present ones, which, according to his opin-
ion could only he effected by the Poor Com
mission itself. The appointment of a commit
tee by the Council to investigate the matter
would probably only tend to the Committee
adopting the measures of the Commission. He
would recommend that the Bill be adopted in its
present form for the present year, and would
charge the Poor Commissions to revise the lists.
The End member for Christiansted's country
district (Ratcliffe) considered the more the
necessity for q Committee. The augmentation
required was not less than $3.50 for the whole
year; a certain amount ought to be fixed, with
a small addition for extraordinary supports.
He recommended the proposal for $4,000 with a
subsequent extra Bill for $500.
The 9Th crown-member (Walker) acceded to
the same proposal, and trusted that His Excel.
lency would introduce it. He did not think the
Council ought, not to vote for the increase.
The Chairman observed, that if the expendi-
ture to paupers is to be reduced, a better
Police must be had. Migrants and children
that come into the town increase pauperism,
which always diminishes with good Police.
The Governor put the following question to-
the Council-member of the Committee, the 4th
crown-member, if it was only old and infrm
persons who are granted support, and If he
considered that a revision of the present support
to paupers would tend to a reduction in the
amount, and to what extent. Should the hon.
.orable member reply to the last question in the
affirmative, he would have no objections to
bring, in an amendment for the reduction in the
amount proposed.
The 4th crown-member (Mendes) expressed
his conviction, that no one retains the support
except the most needy. +
The end member for Christiansted's country
district tRatcliffe) inquired, if any one supposed,
that ! part of those persons receiving support
from the Poorfund were grateful for it, or if
they generally cared about it. To grant the
increase would only give rise to augmentation in
future. u
The lst member for Frederiksted's town
fSaranw) considered it a hard case to refuse
the grant, but at same time difficult to vote for
it without being certain of the necessity for it.