The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-03-20
THE ISLES OF JUNE.
ANOTHER ENTERTAINING LETTER
FROM A CECIL COUNTIAN.
The Government of the Bahamas, Their
Fruits and PrOductS-The Inter-
esting Story of Blen-
nerhaSSet.
NASSAU, N. p, BAHAMAS, Feb. 25. 1897,

of the drawbacks usually experienced by
small countries from being subject to a great
foreign power. This is the only colony in
the West Indies having its own House of
Assembly elected by the people, The admin
istration consists of Governor, Council and
House of Assembly. The Governor is ap-
pointed by the Crown, is paid 2,2OO pounds
sterling, or about 511 900, per year. and the
free use of Il palatial residence surrounded
with beautiful grounds. There is an Execu-
cutive Council of nine members. four of whom
are members eX-of1icio. They are the Attor-
ney-General, Colonial Secretary Receiver
General and the officer commanding the
troops.
The Assembly, or Parliament as it is called
here consists of eight councilmen appointed
by the Imperial Government for life upon
nomination of the Governor, and House of
Assembly of forty-one delegates from Nassau
and the out islauds as the rest of the group
are called They are elected for seven years.
The opinions of an impecunious man are re-
Sarded worthless politically in the Bahamas
No one is eligible to be an assemblyman unless
he owns real estate valued at $4,000. They
receive no salary for their services and paw
their own expenses. This is far ahead of our
own county of Cecil, where we elect men to
Office who do not even pay n poll tax, and many
OF whom 20 to Annapolis for what :hey can get
out of their office by bribery and corruption.
The qualifications necessary to become a
voter are full age, twelve months residence
in any of the IA districts, ownership of prop
erty to the value of IS or renter to the
extent of q IS in New Providence or II Is
on any other island. The constitution is not
based on any charter, but originated in sue
cessive royal concessions to the Governors,
giving them power to create a General As
sembly. The number who voted in 1896 was
1900. The island of New Providence has a
population of $4,000, about one-third of
whom are white. although it is very hard to
define the line of color in this country. The
common law is the foundation of the iuris-
prudence. but amendments introduced from
time to time in England have been generally
adopted. The Attorney General is public
prosecutor in all civil cases the verdict of
two-thirds OF the petty jury may be taken,
and in capital cases two-thirds may acquit
but not convict.
The cultivation and shipment of pineapples
is the chief industry of the Bahamas. Be-
tween five and six hundred thousand dozens
are shipped to Baltimore, New York,
Philadelphia and Boston. The attempts made
to grow pineapples in Florida have proven.
that there is no place in the United States
where they can be grown with any amount of
success, and if lower Florida would answer
the purpose, there is not sufficient land suit
able to supply the American market. Hence
we think the duty Of 20 per cent. is prohibi-
tive. In keeping the high tariff on pines the
United States is crushing the industry here
The Bahamas although under the British
Government, by virtue of their geographical
location are part of the United States. Four
ifths of the goods consumed are of American
production, as goods from England pay the
same duty us those from the United States
and other countries.
This is one of the principal sponge produc-
ing countries and Nassau is the sponge
market of the world. Between six and seven
hundred schooners, from five to thirty tons,
and G00O men are engaged in sponge fishing
in these waters. The sponges are sold in the
sponge market at Nassau five days in the
week. The bids are made in writing and can
only be made by a member of the sponge guild.
The sales the past week amounted to $11 900;
the average catch per year amounts to
100000.
The Sisal plant is indigenous to these
islands and its culture and manufacture into
fibre Il few years ago was thought to be the
salvation of the island. 1t was considered a
troublesome weed, but tho Governor-Si
Ambrose Shea-thought he saw great fibre
in it, and under his advice and patronage
large plantations were put out, acres upon
acres were planted, machinery introduced
for working it, government bounties given.
etc, etc. Prices went from 5000 per ton
down to $55. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph
Chamberlain NJ. z. at the head of a company
purchased 1000 acres of Crown land, put in
elaborate machinery, and after expending
$500, 900 abandoned the project. This was
great back to the industry all over the
country, and instead of proving boon, it is
feared it will be the death knell of the coun-
try's chief hope.
There are three species of turtles found in
the Bahamas. The green turtle, the hawks
bill, and loggerhead. The green turtle is
good principally for its meat, and for making
green turtle soup. 1t Is caught almost en-
tirey for export to America. Large quanti-
ties leave on every steamer for New York.
The hawks bill is valuable for its she'll which
is the well-known tortoise shell of commerce,
used in the manufacture and ornamentation
of fine jewelry. The hawks-bil shell is the
finest in the world. Its average market value
is $3.50 per pound. One dealer exported the
past season s21 900 worth. The loggerhead
is coarse. strong and tough, and grows to an
enormous size. 1t is seldom exported, being
sold mainly in the Nassau market to the
colored people. Its shell is exported and Is
worth 35 cents per pound.
Included in other articles of export are