The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-03
ST. "T''H:IoNxs.

Changes Abont Take Place-HOw They
are 10 be Enected-St. Thomas to be the
Seat Of Government for st. Cr0ix and ST.
Jehn-A Submarine Cable 10 be Laid and
usteamboat Line to be Adopted. -
ST. THOMAS Oct. 60 1870.
Since the PRONUNCIATION Of the news on the 7tn OF
last May that tue United States rejected the cesion
Of this island and St. John committee Of the most
respectable and wealthy citizens had me, Tor the
purpose bY making improvements and reforms in
the manner OF governing the Danish West
India Islands, and tightening by very rigid
economy the taxation under which the
people are gr0aning. The home government at
Copenhagen appoints the following executive ofYl-
GERS to carry on the affairs OF the island. VIA
colonial director, secretary royal clerk and re-
vising oficer, each provided with large stan Of
writer's which stan it Is now proposed to reduce
merely TO colonial secretary and limited NUN.
Der OF writers. proposition has been made
st. Thomas for the reason OF their interests IN
shipping ports being identical, and TO do
away with the entire existing administration
another branch or retrenchment il opened in the
custom houses 10 the reformers, who want those e.
Adjustments at Frcderiksted and Chrstiansted put
into the hands OF a collector and clerk and that the
whole Of the unnecessary officials now employed
shall be struck or the list. far more sweeping
change than any yet mentioned Is that the whole OF
the military force ana all connected there
with shall be abolished. because the state 81
things has so entirely changed since the aboli-
hon Of slavery thai an armed force ~ unnecessary
The moral tone Of the people ~ " very far stan
dard, and In the event of any disorders arising
well organized police force could do what is neces
sary. certain diversity Of opinion has sprung up
however, this point and IL " IN contemplation ia
reduce the army down TO a small standard, who
would be enabled 10 protect the town and take care
OF the two banks, which frequently contain large
amounts OF treasure.
In reference to the proposition TO amagamate tine
St Croix government with that OF st. Thomas, q
regular steam communication IL to be established
between the two ports, and submarine cable Is to
be laid With reference TO the cash In the hands OF
officials entrusted with public moneys, that could
be transferred 70 the court OF the police justice.
Touching the duties OF the Health Ocer OF this port,
which are so Onerous III place like this, where
so many epidemcs are imported by foreign
vessels. which has caused snch terrible mortality
from time 10 time the rcf0rmes state that the only
source OF gain to the place being its commerce, II IL
the duty Of the Health Officer to maintain very
strict quarantine. The island OF st. John, which
Is termed q sheep path and Is Of little
Importance Is considered too small TO have
any changes made. The refOrmers conclude
by giving the Governor extensive discretionary
power hut Just such power as those conferred on
the Spanish Captain General IN Cuba and Porto
Rico, which is 10 exile, from the highest to the
lowest of the officials, any who may offend. The
authority which the Governor now has Is considered
too limited and circnmscrbed for him TO act with
the yigOr which circumstances at times demand.