New-York tribune., 1892-01-07

'o"i" pcSV supply very considerable part Of the
chcap GOODS consumed by the negro population if
American manufacturers were disposed to seek that
branch of the West Indian and South American
trade One of the largest merchants in Bar
badoS and by far the largest one in
Demerara, have said to me tha, beyond all
doubt America could proftably supply substan-
italy the entire consumption Of theso Sontbcrn
countries If her manufacturers and merchants
would take the trouble to study our necessities
ana consent to conform to the conditions of our
trade
Here. then, is a peculiar set of facts we'll cal
cula'ed TO make the West Indian impatient of the
form of government he lives under and anxious
as TO the destiny in store for him o. The English
Market now receiving less than a third of his
products and no sugar to speak Of is growing less
valuable every year, and unless all signs fail il
VIII soon cease to be Of any considerable use
W The American market, which now receives
! twothlrds of his products, and substantially all
his sugar, may lose large portion of It's value TO
him, since the ne-sugar product of America is
increasing, large sums OF American capital are
developing the sugar-producing resources of
Hawaii and the Cuban treaty is almost sure
TO attract capital from similar sources to bring
out the limitless possibilities Of that island; (3)
ihe Americans are already engaging i'm the pro-
ductlon OF sugar-beets with results that indicate
the early success and VIDE extension of that in
dustry; "a West Indian food supplies are
drawn wholly from the United States, which are
In fair way 10 become as necessary for the sup
plying of manufactured goods as Of agricultural
1t would be dull man who failed 10 see the
conclusion that follows from these facts. That
the west Indians it is well proved by the
alacrty with which they have agreed 10 revise
their tariffs to meet the American demand. That
,I,o tt,,Ia
assumed by Lord Salisbury to that demand until
: the pressure of the entire sugar producing body
here and at home forced him Ia come TO
terms His consent more less assured the is
lands were quick to promise all that Mr. Blaine
was disposed to ask. Demcrara led the way by
volunteering to take off Slj0,OO0 OF the revenues
she had been deriving from American imports,
and III no colony has there been single voice
raised from among any other than the official
classes against the proposed change. And even
they did not venture to cypress their opposition
when notified by the British agents in Washing
ton, Us to the action expected of them. That how
ever, is chiefly significant of the fact that the
Colonial ONCE at London has surrendered. for il
Lord Knutsford had directed his Governors 70
the refusal of their Legislative Councils to
the American ultimatum his instructions would
have been carried out to the letter in every colony
powerless against the dictation Of Downing
Street which gives alarm to such Of the colonists
are intelligent and independent, in view of
their lately created trade relations with America
Their very life depends the maintenance Of
these relations, but nowhere they act with
out subjecton TO an English veto. and only in
the colony Of Barbados has the popular will so
much as an opportunity OF expression
There five different forms Of government
in operation in the British West Indies one,
that of Barbados is really representative. Each
Of the others mcaus the same thing-the will Of
Her Maiestys Minister The Governor of Bar
badOs, appointed from England does not cmbody
in his person quite plcnary a confession o.
uselessnese and impotence as his lordlicr colleague
at Ottawa. but he has not one-tenth the power OF
an American Territorial Governor His theoretical
powers are similar to the Theoretical powers OF
Her Majesty but like Her Majesty. he understands
that if he attempted to exercise those Of them that
mean anything ne would suddenly find himself
out of d job. As Governor, he presdes over an
Executive Committee which corresponds 10 the
British Cabinet lt consists Of the Colonial See
Ietary, the Attomey-Gcncral and the officer
manding Her Majcsty's troops, each of whom is
appointed from England; one member Of the
Legislative Council, which corresponds to the House
Of Lords, named by the Governor, and four MEM
beTS oil the Ncncrdl Assembly, which corresponds
TO the Commons The Executive Committee pos
scsscs no final absolute power. Legislation in
volving expenditure must emanate from II, but
its function is merely 10 propose and 10 execute.
The right to ordan is reserved exclusively 10 the
LEGISLATURE. The Upper House Of this body, or
Council, is composed Of nine members selected by
the Governor for life. This might seem 10 give
him considerable power, but in practice IT doesn't.
He rarely has the chance Ia appoint more than one
two members, and unwrlttcn law carefully re-
stricts the range of his selection The Councillor
must be q native, man Of aristOcratc station, and
an ex-Speakcr of the House of Assembly, if one is
available The Governors position would be
quickly intolcrable, several have discovered 10
their cost, who undertook to use his right OF ap-
pointment 10 build up personal power. The House
Of Assembly is composed OF twenty four members.
elected from twelve constituencies. The franchise
Is liberal in It's property qualifications but with
held entirely from servants. Power is thus reserved
to the white population and those of tie colorcd
race who have risen 10 comparatively Independent
positions. Tins system il unique, but it works well
There are no parties, and elections are
rarely contested It, c0nserves the supremacy
Of those whose interests in the island are real
and substantial and they know enough to know
that in the presence Of 100000 ignorant and
muscular blacks it will not do to quarrel.
But other British West Indian Government
than that Of Barbados leaves any decision Of I'M
portance to the people. Forms peculiar TO il.
self are given to each colony, but they al!
amount to exactly the same thing-the will of
Her MaeStys Minister. lie is ruler, legislator
judge. In some cases the people are permitted
to be represented in the Governors Council, or
to speak more accurately in some Of the Councils
certain persons sit who arc styled =" the peoples
representatives,. Generally speaking, however
this is doeful mockery, for the Governor appoints
them and the people have no voice III their Sc
lection at all. But even when they are popularity