, 1893-04-12
G. Fl. ~HAGEMANN.

IN CONQeCllOn JutTSNllu III pldCcN uHuC
discussion the aforementioned letter Of 22nd
March from the Government.
The Chairman vacated the chair to the
Vice-Chairmsn.
3rd Member for Frederiksted's Country
District Hewitt, said being a Member OF the
Committee appointed to draw up Resolutions
in connection with this Budget and being
Speaker Of the Committee, he would beg to
law before the Members the Report which the
Committee hal agreed upon as far as this
Keport is concerned, very little explanation
would be required the contents are clear
and explicit and fully meeting the purpose
intended by the Council, and he could have
nothing flu ther now to add on that head.
But we have i'll connection Herewith that
letter from Government IN that letter Co
vernment says, if the Report be adopted, end
the Council rpfusea to diScups this Budget,
then the Council loses Its right in future 70
discuss also additional money bills, whenever
needed. Now, it is not explained what those
rights are. As Member Of the Colonial Coun-
Gil he had always understood that this COun-
Gil had the right to vote for any and every
expense not warranted by laws or ordinances
Int now we fnd that the Council has no such
right for we see that even whom We are ask
ed to vote on such items Of expenditure. and
we vote against, then the vote IS counted for
nothing because we vote NJ. The Govern
maut's letter contains no guidance as TO what
the rights actually are still 1t is ABSOLUTELY
necessary that Members should come to an
understanding as to what nights we really
have From the experience OF the last years
il sapms that the Council has none at all. He
Womb not repeat and go into detail as to
;nstances where the Council has virtually
heen deprived of It's rights in nearly all
pcints where it could legit imately exercise it's
vote on the way the administration expended
nublic money. In every instance where The
Council has been asked to vote, and where it
did vote. after lengthy discussions In Com
mittees and in Council, the opinions or vote
Of the Council has not been needed, except
where it happened to be IN accord with the
Government if the Council accepts Govern
mert's measures, then it is all right, then
the Councils rights are needed outside OF
that not the slightest heed is taken otthe
Council's vote. not the slightest effect Is gwen
70 the vote or views OF the Council. The
Government arbitrarily carries out its own
views. and hence the Councils discussions
and it's vote are a mere farce the Council
must agree if it does not agree, The measure
il stIll carried over our heads, and we stand
a. ridieule. although the Law, if, as he
would sac again, it we're carried out in good
fifth. gave US the right Of adopting or refusing
communal expenses not warranted BY
law. or ordinances, And this does not
apply to ths Budget alone, but to every nea-
snre be it law or ordinance; the Council
must agree to what il has bef, e it; if not
a lot # umbrags is taken in Coun~il, even by
His Excellency. Eve'y body knows before
thi, th It it is useless for us to meet here lime
after time in this Hall there is nothing now
left for us to do than not to come back, bit to
leave the whole AZ Ir in the hands OF the
Government. 1t 10 bit waste of time to ooae
here now: Members can find other occupation
for their time. He knows of course that our
abstaining from voting will be OF no nse; the
measures will be carried withal but let the
Government alone have the responsibility.
As for the loss of rights in regari to future
grants. the Council ms none to isa; ths
Council has virtually no influenza on extra.
ordinary grants as little as on the ordinary
Budgets. He did not think it necessary for
him to go further to-day: so he would now
conclude by rec ,mmelding the resolutions to
be adopted, it would Of course be better II
they GOULD be adopted unanimously; but We
have now the Crown Members. 1t oannot De