, 1893-06-28

49, 49,
During the last half score Of Years, there
has as mentioned in the motives, BEEN Effected
retrenclments for St. Thomas hy the Govern
mont to an amount of above S2U,0 G0 annually
by abolishing offices and reducing salaries
and similar retrenchments have likewise been
effected in St. Croix, so that it cannot he
wondered at that the line soon must be
reached, where no retrenchments any longer
can safely be effected.
The opinion has been expressed by the first
Minority, that by a reorganization Of the
administration udiciary-and Police De-
partments, very much indeed might be saved,
but debarring the question Of the total!abolsh-
mcnt Of the en- ire superior authority, which
SAID Minority proposes, we do not suppose
that IN these items any other retrenchments
can be effected than in st. Thomas the
combination of the Offices of Judge and police
master, which is already under contempla-
ton and will likely take place on occurring
vacancies in said offices. In st. Croix one
OF the three police offices has already for q
number of years been abolished and it would
likely be entirely impossible for q single
policemaster in a satisfactory manner to per-
form this important work. When it ia pro-
posed to aboli h the Upper Court, it must in
deed be admitted, that this Court only has .
very limited sphere, but it would without
doubt cause great trouble and expense to the
inhabitants we're it to become necessary to
appeal to the Home Courts, whether it be to
an Upper Court at home or directly to tho
Supreme Court. Notwit hstanding that the
Upper Court, from an economical conside ra-
ton, at present only consists of asingle Judge,
It Is seen nevertheless, that for the greater
number of civil suits are settled by adjudg-
ment of said Court, as the parties shun the
expenses of carrying the suit to the supreme
{ NOIT If 10 hoci1nw NJ o4r osIarahIm ,rto,~
which would be effected by abolishing the
Upper Court, and this saving could in our
opinion be effected in another manner, while
yet retaining the Upper Court in the islands,
but we do not consider it requisite for us to
set forth proposals it this respect.
For aiding the improvements Of the island,
the first Minority recomms DIS the establish
ment Of a credit association, and Herewith
combines aforoed convention Of interest on alb
mortgage debts in the island. The mortgage
debts must be admitted to be comparatively
large and burdensome, but how it could be
possible without a clear infringement Of esta-
hlished private rights at once to effect an
alteration therein, we are unable to perceive,
and We are at least satisfied that such a lsgis-
latlve measure contrary to the Colonial Law
If the possibility of such a measure could
he thought of-would not omit to produce
serious difficulties, as foreign capital to no
small extent is invested in properties i'll the
islands.
As far as concerns st. CYoix the establish
ment OF a credit association has already been
under contemplation SIZE Law Of 25th Fabrua-
~ 1876, without, however, the carrying out of
the intention having met with success, and
endeavours foroibly to regulate The rate of
interest, would only result in foreign capital
being withdrawn entirely.
1t should. however, be added that the rate
of interest during the latter years is decidedly
on the decrease, at all events in st. Croix.
The total adjustment Of the Joint admins
tration Of the two islands and the withdrawal
of the Military forces, indicated by the Minori.
ty, we consider totally unpraoticable. Not
taking into consideration that by the Minori-
tvs own statements of the aggregate expenses
there yould.no thereby be achieved any saw
ing or 1T least q very nconsiderabls saving
for the State Treasury. nor that by the divi-
sions proposed by the same Minority respect
ing the islands revenues and expenses. st
Croix Colonial Treasury would sven obtain a
very considerable pecuniary advantage at the
cost of the State. which indeed would be
quite unfair-it is III the first place in our
opinion not possible to allow the Military .
forces of the island to be Withdrawn. az the
safeguard that said forces which must 'prln.