, 1884-01-30

know on what footing we stood, and how to
proceed in future in order to get the bal
ance on the right side"
Already in reference to this | must say
that it is a complete mistake to suppose
that E9the profits of the crop soon about to
be commenced here in the island will be
larger than they nave been within the
memory of man. There are, namely, not
so very few estates where the crop of 1884
will be less than it was in 1882, not to
speak of what it was in 1871. But, besides
this, the price of sugar is now under 500
per cwt. while in 1882 it was over 81 and
in 1871 about S5.
This and the rest which / have quoted
from the article of the Dagb!GdS correspon-
dent would not however have induced me
to reply, if the article had not Immediately
continued with the following
GAS it is at present, 1t IS only a sham
discussion which takes place in the Colonial
Councils of St. Croix and st. Thomas at the
annual discussions on the budgets. Appa-
rently they go 10 work thoroughly and seekto
bring about a balance between the income
and the expenditure; but in reality they
do not care a tarthing about it, as they know
that the State Treasury will pay the def
cheney, and each one is therefore only con
cerned in getting his own hobby horse well
ridden so as to get his small private wishes
fulfilled. The local Government does
indeed strive against this, particularly
when opposition may be expected from the
Government at home but finally 1t yields
where it is possible with any degree OF ht'
ness to do so, and goes home IN tae coANlc-
ZION Of having done its duty without having
irritated the enemy, hoping that things
will hold together yet for a time, and then
GpyeS nous ie d6Iage. That such are in reaIl-
ty the tactics followed both by the home
Government and the local Government
there is scarcely any doubt, and the mode
of procedure is indeed for that matter
defenSible enough SO long as the Lett
party in the Diet continues to exhibit
its Discrimination to transact business with
the Government on any question Whatever,
even it be of the greatest Importance. 1t
will, however, be much to be regretted it
this state Of things should yet last for a
time; for a compliance, such as Is now
shown on the part Of the Government out
here can have only a dem0rallSinG effect,
AL mtle3 it dpubly difficult to draw the
line when once the line sooner or later
inevitably must be drawn
Such an utterance IN a paper enjoy
ing the circulation and considera-
ton which the D0Jbldd has, one can
not and ought not to allow to stand
unanswered, however iittie inclination
one may have to enter upon a public
discussion with an anonymous AMI there
fore unknown correspondent.
AS | nave been not only for several
wears a member of the st. CroiX Colonial
Council, but also Chairman and Speaker
for the Committees on the Budgets OF the
lost two financial years, 1t certainly falls
nearest to me to answer the correspondent.
For it must be the discussions ON the
Budgets OF these years which the Cores
pondent at all events has In view, If not
specially, and from my position i'll regard
to these discussions | must not only be
acquainted with them, but also, must
take my share Of the responsibility so far
as the utteranceS and Judgment Of the
correspondent on them are well founded.
When the correspondent says i'll his ar
ticle that "the Colonial Council Ill st.
Croix at the yearly discussions on the
Budget does not care Il farthing as to
bringing about a balance between the in
come and the expenditure" that "the
local Government does indeed resist, but
finally yields where it is possible with any
degree of fitness to do So" and Kit is to
he regretted if such a state of things is to
last vet for a time, as compliance such as
is now shown by the Government out
here can have only a demOraIiSing effect
and makes it donbIy difficult to draw
the line when once the line sooner or
later inevitably must be drawn" lie must
of necessity have taken it for granted that
the Colonial Council of st. Croix at the
80 -oo,I- I;rov~nn0c ~, fhn Rln rnfC