, 1872-10-30

Sill > ~ CtiOO Az GSpCdf tIoU IL Al
tigua they have not always had that very
high appreciation Of his value, of which we
now hear so much but no disparagement
whatever is intended to the gentleman.
Mr.. B.. says again, he cannot himself see
the smallest reason why a mans being a
relative of Governor Stakemann should DIS
qualify him for the post of School-Inspec-
tor. Now, no one else thinks so either;
on the contrary, it is the firm belief in this
community that relationship with the acting
Vicegovernor, Mr.. Stakemann, or with any
of his relatives OF belongings, or even
friendly relations with the one or the other,
is sufficient to qualify a person for any pub
lie office and that The absense thereof Just
as certainly disqualifies any one, though
he be eminently qualified otherwise. Hence
the general and loud complaints; hence the
great fears that if Mr.. Stakemann, and
through him Messrs. HattenseR, Jurs etc.
etc. etc. in infinite Succession, were to be
permanently fastened on US as Chief Magi-
strate etc. ETC., every body seeking public
Office would have to be in some way or
other connected with the family, or in fa-
YOUR with the family, and which therefore
might be giving rise to many unwholesome
and unpleasant struggles.
Mr.. B. singles out that one little point
Of Mr.. GUMS appointment, and after having
endeavoured to show in a loose, unconvin-
cling, but bombastic manner, that no rela-
tionship between the acting Vicegovernor
and Mr. Quin exists lin which he has de-
cidedly failed) he expresses the wish "that
many equally truthful statements could be
as easily explained away" At best, the
non-relationship in question, if it were
proved, would have only been shelving that
there is one instance less of family advance
ment, and the point itself is of infinitely
minute Importance, compared with the
other mistaken facts exposed in my COM
munication in No. 84,-facts which even
Mr.. Branch has been unable to gainsav
with one single word. Why does he not
attempt to prove that it is not the general
opinion here and elsewhere, an opinion
based on tangible proofs, that the office of
Vice Governor and Superior Authority in
st. Croix is not and will not be s~atisfac-
torily filled by Mr.. Stakemann;-why does
he not attempt to shew that it is not the
general impression that it is the apparent
desire and endeayour of the Stakemann
family to get all the administrative branches
filled by members of their own family, or
with persons enjoying their favour and
going their errands that that system in
the minds of the people destroys all faith
and confidence in the Administration, high
and low, shakes to the very foundation
that claim to impartial distribution Of JUS
tice. without which no Administration can
act with any good ;-that that system en-
genders distrust in all Government measures,
whether proceeding directly from the local
Government or from the Home Govern
ment,-and that the whole conduct of
public affairs at present disturbs the public
tranquility and equanimity, creating in
veterate party spirit and unwholesome cur
rents among the population Let Mr..
Branch, and those who may be behind the
curtains inspiring him, and certain other
more public organs, shcw and prove all
that !; let them prove that there is not a
decided opposition in the Community
against having any special Chief Magistrate
at all in the Island, but more especially a
strong desire against seeing any of the
Stakemann family in the Presidential
Chair,-then, and only then, can Mr.. BIS
assertions carry any force. It were not
good if all public discussions were conduc-
a. - 4ho fashion &c Mr. d @or bo ~;oaoz