, 1872-08-14
MOTIVES TO THE COLONIAL LAW.
(Continued.)
adj 8.

UU ) D.
Whilst the former s 5 limits the Governors
right to sanction misunderstanding and re.
serving Royal c0nSent,-to be exercised only
in "particularly urgent cases" he is, nnder the
new 8, entitled to make unlimited use of this
delegate authority, and the significance Of the
measure is enhanced by the provision that the
Royal Veto shall be laid within a fixed term
in order to have the effect which it generally
possesses unconditionally.-It may be presumed
that these enactments will contribute to a more
speedy execution Of all measures regarding
which the Governor and the respective Colonial
Councils agree.
I'D 5.
Beside the access granted by the onactments
Of the Colonial Law, to make complaints re-
~specting the manner in which the laws are kept,
or the institutions administrated Is 43), and in
one certain instance Is Gil to complain of err
T0rs in the accounts rendered, it has been found
correct to provide by on addition to s 5, for
the manner in which Il claim of responsibility
can be instituted against the Governor for
abuse of authority. In consequence of the
Governors official position, especially his re-
lation to the responsible minister, under whom
the administration of the Colonies is laid, and
through whom the Governor receives an In
s%truction, issued by His Majesty the King, d.
recting the discharge of his official duties,-
such claim can be made only through petition
to the supreme head of the realm, requesting
him, in such individual case, to decide the
mode of proceeding to be adopted. This rela-
ton that the Governor is subject to a superior
administrative authority, contains the reason
why complaints of his conduct in office cannot
be laid before the ordinary Courts of Justice,
which indeed, both according to the Danish
GopctitutiOD low opd ao0Ordipr ~ Hp1OnioI
Law s 6 are competent to decide questions in
volying the limits of the administration autho-
rites, but not to investigate whether the ma
gistrate has acted wrongly or not. But, to
create q special, political tribunal for the Gov
ernor of the Danish West India Islands, could,
on the other hand, scarcely come under con-
siderati9n.
al 9.
Government has thought that the concluding
enactment of this should be altered in accor-
dance with the corresponding enactments in
the Danish Fundamental Law of 28th July
1866 s Sc, in order to obtain an express legal
warrant for the mode Of proceeding hitherto
practically followed in accordance with the
rules extant in The mother country.
ad 5 10, Id, Is, 16 and II.
In as far as these s SIS contain any alteration
in the wording of the former, corresponding,
enactments, such has been made in accordance
with and consequent on the Royal Resolution
of 9th March q. C. by which the seat of Govern
ment definitely has been removed to St.
Thomas.
ad 1876.
in accordance with the desires uttered on
former occasions regarding the simplifcation
of the now existing rules for acquiring and using
of the right of Franchise, Government has effec-
ted the alterations it considered necessary.
The declaration which Colonial Law s %
requires Individually from those who assert to
possess the annual income of $500 mentioned
in s 18 ibid, and to be otherwise qualified to
vote, is thus abolished it will henceforth be
the duty of the Elective Board, in accordance
with the rules given in 5 81 and without the
said personal declaration, to fraim the annual
List, which thereupon shall, as already
enacted, be exhibited for general inspection
; 24). Furthermore, the term of residence
in the Danish Westindia Islands, exacted from
those, who desired the right of Franchise with
out possessing Danish Right of Nativity, has
been reduced from S to 3 years the require
ment of 2 years residence in the municipality
has been reduced to l year, and the enactment
requiring 6 months residence within the respect
tive elective District, has been dropped; it will,