, 1873-03-29

remembered and as also observed in the Mo.
tives to the abovenamed Ordinance, originated
from a plan for a change in the existing organi-
sation which the late Governor Birch enter
tanned and occasionally expressed after his re-
turn to these Islands in 1871. 1t is generally,
and with a certain degree of certainty, known,
that that plan intended, to u,o the term gene
rally employed, that there should only be one
Governor for the two Districts of Administers
ton or Municipalities,-or !, that, the Gov
ernor's residence being in St. ThOmas,-there
should be no President here in 81. Crojx 2,
that the Governor more directly than had hith.
erto been the case, should discharge the ad-
miniStration Of both Municipalities 3, that
he should to a much greater extent than for
merIy sojOurn in that one of the Islands where
he is not permanently residing; 4, that in each
of the Municipalities there should be an Admin
istrator Of Government (Regjeringsraad) who,
whenever the Governor was not IN the Island,
should discharge the daily duties Of the Supe-
rlor Authority, aud submit to the Governor
whatever cases he (the Goyernor) reserved for
his own decision, and whenever the Governor
himself be present, act as Governments Secre-
tary ), that as a link in such an Administra-
ton, there should be established and kept up
frequent steam-communication finally, 6, that
a certain amount be given from this Island to
enable the Governor to reside here.
Another idea was expressed during the deli
b~erations which Governor Birch had with sew
eral Gentlemen, partly delegated by the Colo
NAL Council, previous to his departure for Eu-
rope in June 1870, namely, simply to have but
one Governor, without any sort Of administra
tive apparatus in this Island.
This last mentioned idea, which scarcely
has many advocates in the Island, the Commit
tee has found no hesitation in dismissing as I'M
practicable.
The Committee must ~namely-while admit
ting that there are administrative branches, for
which there is scarcely any call for an interme-
diary-authority ,-consider it perfectly neces-
sary that the functions Of Superior Magistrate,
as such, which do require almost daily action
and which are very often called into immediate
action, should be exercised here on the spot,
and the Committee believes that no improve
ment In the means of communication could
lead to any alteration 10 that respect. When
that Is provided for, the conditions for the re-
gular course of the Administration may be said
to have been established, and the duties OF SUI
periOr Magistrate might for daily purposes be
discharged equally as properly by an Admin
lStrator OF the Government under instructions
given him by the Governor, as by a President
l " d sulphur md5lSIldtCg HA00O POHCA VIII
solely be determined according to the legal def
milton OF a Superior Magistrate. But, it is to
be admitted, that the Administrators position,
which Of course must principally find its sup
port in the confidential relation in which it may
be presumed he will be coming towards the
Governor,-may become difficult enough, when
his authority, which is intended to cease when
ever the Governor himself is 10 the Island, may
from day to day be deprived him and
it may also not be quite easy to de.
fine his competency Elm treating with the
Colonial Council or with its future Municipal
Board. That be, even if bis personality quail
fed him thereto, could not in the same manner
as a special Superior Magistrate take the initia-
tive or give the impulse for any measure in the
interest of the Island, or on the whole go be-
yond the prescribed limits for his duties, would,
we dare say, follow from the nature of bis posi-
ton.