, 1874-03-25
To the Editor of the "St Croix Avis"
Mr.. Editor,

Mr.. Editor,
Permit me through your columns to give
your readers a historical sketch of the manner
in which one of the most monstrOus e~xactionS
laid upon this community under the present
grave digging regulations, has been treated by
our authorities. Too many know to their cost
that, besides the fee for a permit to open q
grave, ranging from 81 d~ownwards, according
to the arbitrary classification of the deceased
as to station etc, there are fees to the Lutheran
grave digger for opening the grave, and for
other services, whether rendered or not, as
follows; for a grave from S6.40 cts. down to
$500, for invitations when no notice is
given to issue one 81, when requested to in
yite IS and for personal attendance at funerals,
if requested, from 81 to 81.
These fees, it must be remembered are levied
on congregations to whom the graveyards
belong. Against these monstrOus regulations
protests have been frequently made but with
no result. As far back as 1852 the Govern
ment went so far as TO appoint a commission to
investigate and report upon this matter, The
Government, in their instructions to the com-
mission, acknowledged that cas- the English
and the Catholic graveyard in Frederiksted
may be the property of the respective cOngre-
cations, it does not seem to be consistent that
revenues on the opening of graves therein
should accrue to the Danish Church or that
the Danish Clerk should derive income there
from as grave digger The legality of these
e|xactionS was then acknowledged by Govern
ment, as you see, to depend upon ownership.
The commission, after careful investigation,
came to the unanimous conclusion that it was
sufficiently proved that "the Church-Yards
situated by the Episcopal Church, Frederik-
Sted, are the legal property of the Episcopal
Church or Congregation" In spite, however,
Of this unanimous opinion as to the title, the
majority of the commission reported in favour
of continuing the fee But the minority, two
of the ablest lawyers in the island, say in their
report that "they consider it a direct conse-'
quence of the right Of property that there can
not be imposed upon the English Congregation
any payment whatever, either to the Danish
Lutheran Church, or to the Land Treasury,
for opening graves or erecting monuments in
their graveyards." Thirteen years later
another effort was made by the Officials Of
the Episcopal Church, FrederikSted, this time
through the Colonial Council. But the Gov
eminent promising to take the matter in haEd,
it was buried in like manner as many other
grievances have been. Three years later the
petition was renewed to the Council. That
honorable body appointed a Committee. Their
ICpUltt X dIlLHS All Oudb vas UO'tldhNNuS w
adopted by the Council and referred to the
Government for immediate action. Now, Mr..
Editor, would any body who has not had ocu-
lar demonstration of the existence Of this
grievance believe that nothing whatever has
been done from tAat distant day to this
To use the words of the Government in
1852: cit does not seem consistent that re-
venues on the opening of graves in those
church yards should accrue to the Danish
Church or that the Danish clerk should derive
income therefrom as grave digger
The present time has been considered oppor-
tune for bringing this matter under the notice of
the Government, through your medium, the
Press, as the gentleman who holds the situation
as grave digger in Westend, having obtained
another position as purveyor, the place as
grave digger will of course be filed by a new
man.
1 remain, dear Sir, yours truly
D..