The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-02-02

: W0rk. Ine Malays src the io,cAev
lamblike, and their prejudices and
their ways alike extensive and peculiar.
But the cool, unyielding spirit OF. the
colonial secretary first astounded them
and later compelled their unwilling ad-
miration. They could not frighten him
with warlike demonstrations; they
could not turn him from his purpose
with threats. Little by little the ma
tives fell under the spell of his DOM
mating person; little by little they ac-
knowledged the force of his sway,
and then they christened him Master
Of Warriors" When he left the Straits
Settlements to become governor of
British Guiana the country was rapidly
developed, trade was flourishing, towns
were springing up everywhere, the peo-
pie were beginning to take pride in
action, and the colony not only showed
handsome yearly surplus, but made
lself unique by contributing, alone
among all the colonies of the British
empire. to the revenue of the crown.
In British Guiana he met a task
worthy of his powers. The negroes,
who constitute the great bulk of the
population, were incensed against the
planters for importing cody labor.
They were disinclined to comply with
the requirements of the education code.
They were determined to make trouble.
Alexander Swettenham put a stop to
all that. He told them that, since they
1ny1t 10 n.lr tln I'll MT
ions, upon which the commerce Of the
Whole colony depended, they must be
content to let the coolies work, and
since the sugar industry supported
them all, they must pay their share Of
the cost Of immigration. He devised a
new educational code, which he put
into force and which he compelled
them to accept. He condemned them
for their inertia, shamed them with
fiery words Of scorn for their lack Of
self respect and taught them how they
might make themselves a power in the
land.
Took His Lesson to Heart.
Once a negro village on the seacoast
was flooded from the swamp lands in
the interior. AS the village was below
the sea level and protected by a dam,
the water could not drain off by nat
ural drainage. The villagers tele-
graphed to Jimmy for aid He sent
gang of coolies to help and followed
Oh their heels himself When he got
there the coolies were working to dig
a trench to the sea by way of an estate
draining route. and the villagers were
standing idly by, claiming that they
should be paid before they took shovel
in hand. The governor leaped from
his horse, strobe among them, lashed
them with his contempt and took a
spade and worked for an hour In the
trench until it was completed. Then
he turned to the leaders among them
and said: NOW you know how to do
it. Never let me hear from you again."
They took the lesson to heart and built
the necessary dams to protect their vii
lage without delay.
He was never respecter of persons.
One day ''big gun" went to Govern
certain measure he was engaged In
drafting for the consideration Of the
local legislature.
IF you do it that way you will hurt
u.s." he said
"And who are you that you should
not be hurt If the masses Of the people
will benef1t?" thundered the governor.
$50 away, sir; go away, and mark me,
am governor here, and govern for
the people, not for selfish minorities!'
Himself Quick to Help.
When the news Of the Martinique
cataclysm reached British Guiana the
legislature was not sitting. and its
members were scattered all over the
100000 square miles Of the colony.
Swettenham did not hesitate an In
slant. He chartered steamer lying in
port, bought the entire cargo Of an
American -four boat, dispatched 1t with
a letter of credit on the colony for
$4,000 to the suffering people Of Fort
de France and then summoned the leg
islature. The native element In the
legislature. ever sticklers for procedure,
condemned his action as Illegal with
out their previous consent and threat
ened to refuse to ratify 1t or to author
ize payment. Every well. gentlemen,
as you will. But will not break faith
with these poor sufferers In Martinique
and st. Vincent. ] will pay 1t myself,
and I am confident that 1t will be
placed to my credit In their gratitude.
And, gentlemen, ] have no intention
OF altering my decision. 1t will be
from the people Of British Guiana all
the same.". The native element aban-