St. Croix Avis (Christiansted, St. Croix [V.I.]) 1844-Current
May 1, 1920

Historic newspapers carry the language, views and graphic reporting of their time, including racist content. They are shown to teen and adult profiles.

Page 1

VW R 7 b [i IL}, /1§ i e l\' Ns A s /N .4 3\ e, l LB Y b E /‘—N '(Q‘ e \.t:f;_'«\_\ /"_"" \N l E,;\ r gy U AT ANTAN SN \NP SN L e B JoPn YHAHR .g g b Christiansted Theatre 8930 MONDA 3E U ENENG &030 [N Y¥i i “THE RED GLOVE” THE SERIAL OF A TH{OUSAND SURPRISES, You don’i have to accepi my word for this, ail you have to do is to see inis serial with your owi ¢yes. ihat’s the test ask you toc make in comparison with any serial you have seen before<. “sHE POOL OF MYSTERY”, the first episcde of this Universal Seri: dbyJ. P. MeGowan from story by Douglas Grant is very promising. The L‘tm;v concerns a band knol"\.x V)ilfiurt‘-.‘s"‘i'\..\'}(l)(\:S;:e&;;m'fl an oil ceuntry, where an evil place called ““T’he Pool Os Lost Souls” is located. .the mysiery Jb 20 l‘f-.lfvt]vzl; in a redyglove, given to the heroine by an aged woman native. The action b« ‘easing stvle G 4 lthe;lf just the right amount of plot for a red-blooded story. 2o v URDER OF THE DAY for an extraordinary Meeting of the Calonialt Couneil for St. Croix, MONDAY, May 8. 1920, at one g'tlo’k p. m. [Convened% by request of Government. 1. Colonial Council Bill No 25. 3rd D%cussion on Colonial Council Bill No. 25, Draft of an O:dinance, introduced by Ist Member for Chris tiansted Country District [Stake mann], respecting the appointment of employees of the Municipality of St.. Croik. 2 Colnnialf(founuil Bill No. 26. CHRISITANSTED. V.I.U.S. A., SATURDAY 181 MAY 197 2nd Discussion on Coionial Courcil Bill No. 26, Draft of an Ordinauce, introduced by ist Member for (‘hris. tiansted Country District [Stake mann], concerning the remission and re’unding of certain faxes assess or collected on" prop used religious purposes wit er 3. Colonial Council il 2nd Discussion on Bill No. 29, Draft introduced by lishing and decla. tion of the Judicia Departments of J'¢ of the United Statics ete. 4. Colonial Council Bill Qo. 2nd Diseussion on Coloni Bill No. 80, Draft of an O L Government, provid code of general and and aiterirg, amend 2 and continuing exise yuicil -)fi:]L\, S' (~:l'('iX,

ROBT. L. MERWIN, Chairman. Relief riptions “on” the (:(ti(! ‘.(“r'- ’/'.;‘r,'-r'o No 99

Page 2

Mr. Mrs. Eugéne A. Schuster and family bey to thank friends and acquaintanees for sympathy shown during the illness and death of oyr beloved son and brother Albert. R SRR N RS AR, RPN R S OIS AIS Wl OF THE FOR ST. CROIX. (Continued from yesterday’s Avis) 2nd Appointed Member (Noll) re marked: Mr. Chairman. What few re marks I have to make at this time I con sider in view of the many months spent on these ordinances that any extensive remarks on behalf of Government or the Council is unnecessary. At this time, arguments, in my opinion, should be based more to the purpose rather than against it. Captain White’s statement that the organization of these laws as presented tc you is in force in some of the Statee is slightly incorrect. Ido no: know of any State these laws§are not in foree except in the Virgin Islands; and that is why it has bheen stated that the Government desires no changes; how ever, if changes can be offered which are better no doubt Government would be willing to take chances, but so far as 1 know, the English speaking people, or the Anglo Saxons, have not been able to work out a better code than this. I have been in ‘these islands three years, I have been a member of the Courts of these islands three years, and throughout that time I have heard many objections to the administration of the present laws and that is a result of too much being vested in the Judgo>, power vested in the Judge he s be democratic or autceratie. It has been asked here by when will they have t*~l b jury is provided .in born, I was reared, to my coming here, with a erime was nc and I do not believe t. cide whether a man su claim that before a man liberty more than one m. on his case; an even if composed of twelve of extenuating circumstances taken into consideration. Members of the Council. heard it said that there sho of Mandamus, a Writ of Writ of as Corpus laws ar should have don¢ cor’ th LR Yoy e N At SN o A RJTERe Ry raNE e i ol o) Yy AT it, object to a specific part of the law and give your reasons, and when that is done the objections will be argued; I do not believe that there is a single ob jectior. raised in Anglo Saxon Law that does not need much argument. From now on 1 stand ready and willing to ar gue gall objections raised. (Loud ap plause from the Lobby.) The Chairmaf ramg the bell :or order. 4th. Appointed Member (Blackwood) remarted: Mr. Chairmam. I have been on the Committee appointed tc consider and report on these laws, gone through them, and as faras I know the great ques tion before the people and the Council to day is whether this is a better law than the one which we have been working under; whether it is or not I am not qualified to say, but one thing in my mind is, we have changed our sovereignty and should expect to change our laws. We are un der the American Flag now and should ex pect to have American laws; whether these laws will be better or worse re mains to be seen. If there were no law breakers there would be no law makers, and so long as we follow the right path we should not care what kiud of law we have. 1 cannot say anything as to whether these laws are. bet'er or worse, but it must be expected that we have to change the laws; therefore I recommend the change ¢nd leave the rest ito the leg islative lights. These code of laws, as the last speaker has said, have stood the test and I see no reason why it shLould not be adopted here. Ist Member for Frederiksted Country District (Andersen) remarked: Mr. Chairman. lam a little confused as to whether Bill No. 29 and 30 are before the Council at the same time The Chairman answered: Bill No. 29is before you now. 2nd Appointed Member (Noll) remark ed: Mr. Chairman. The ordinances are so clcsely associated it seems to e that diseussion on both can be taken at the same time. These twoordinances have been prepared as a whole and the idea of being introduced as separate ordinances was because it was thought better pro cedure in the Council. The one before you is the machinery by which we expect to enforce the code, hut the machinery is something which we have felt neces sary to ask each Council of the Virgin isiands to identically adopt. There may Ye changes made by each Council, and if hanges a~ made by this Councii, we it it necessary to .ask St. he ke the same change. It would be much easier to to make its amendments they would agree; that’ procedure to work out ch community. So far ~1. nsidered Mr. Chairman cansbe done by discussing ,r}thel' virman remarked: The best wnuld be to follow the Order jav and take the vote sevarately wo Items. 2nd Appointed Member (Noll) remark ed: My meaning is, that any remark ‘made on one should apply to the other but the vote can be taken separately. 2nd Member for Frederiksted Country District (M. M. Skeoch) would like to know whether items 4 and 5 are under one or separate discussion? The Chairman replied: Item No. 4is under discussion. 2nd Member for Frederiksted Country District M. M. Skeoch) remarked: Mr. Chairman. It seems to me that it would be more to the point if the members of this Council who have been elected to report on these laws would give us some information, the Chairman as spokesman and Secretary of the Committee has given us some elucidations, but the others are silent; I think those who have been members of the Committee should ex press their views and let us know their objections, if any, I have not had time to go through the laws myself, and there fore would be glad to hear from any of them. Ist Member for Frederiksted Country District (Andersen) remarked: Mr. Chairman. Tkis is the very reason why I ask if the two bills are under one and the same discussion, because if the two bills are to be discussed together I can not see that the Committee or any mem ber of the Council ean have mueh to say on the organization bill, because the members of the Committee had nothine to do with the organization bill, and it was stated that we are not allow ed to make any changes. When it comes to the code of laws I will be glad to say sometning, but when it comes to the organization bill I don’t know that we have very much to say. Ist Member for Christiansted Country Distriet (Stakemann) remarked: Mr. Chairman. I agree with the last speak er. The organization bill was read to us and we had objected to that;and we declare, at least, I declare that I could not give any opinion on a draft that was read to us ina meet ng where we had no chances to go through it. I think it would be be:ter to have the matter print ed and sent to us so as to enable us to give our opinion and'make remarks on it. We received no written copies, we had no chance to acquaint ourselves with it, but at the last meeting of the Committee it was read to us, believe that' it is about one week ago that thi§ meeting took place and we have not had a chance to go into the bill. It wouid be a waste of time to go into the merits ‘of the bill, especially so as the Government has the right to put it in force just as it was read tous. Ithink it would be a waste of time to lay it before this Council inas much as we are told not to make.any changes because they will not be accept ed; I admit that the Government, ac cording to the Organie Act, ean make it law, but cannot agree to ask the Coun cil to sanction it. There are certain points in the bill, 1 don’t know, it may be so in herent in the United States law that no

Page 3

chanz:can bz made, but I am compe tent to say taat all of the officials listed in the bill wlil have® to look for some more work if they want something to do. If we take into consideration the num ber of ecases we are having you will find that there is not sufficient work for all these officials. From my experience, that is about thirty years in this island, I am not prepared to state the percen tage, but I don’t think I am far off, of all the ~ases put together will not be more than seventy-five to ninety-five, and nearly all go to the Police ('~urt, and are cases involving only five to ten dollars. Let us go to the Town. Court and take the cases that involve over one hundred and twenty-five dollars and you will not find more than tenor twelve; as to erimin:! cases the greater pelcen tage of those reguiring mor: than six montns imprisonmwent are not more than ten or wenty of them in any year. Ac cording to the proposals in these new laws, St. Thomas is to be taken into con ideration, I don’t know anything about St. Thomas, but I take it for granted it is not quite as many as here. It is pro posad to have a Judge at a sala'y of four thousand eight hundred dollars per annom, a clerk at three thousand dollars per annum and when the Attorney Gen eral’s salary is added will make an amount of ahout twenty thonsand dollars and which will be aboutone dollar per capita of the inhabitants, and whem you add the salaries of stenographers and other clerks it will amount to much more than this amount. I do not think the United States will put up that much money -for the Judiciary Department. We should be thankful for what the Federal Government is doing for us, but 1 consider that we have many other things to be done, and if weare economi cal in the various departments it would be more for the benefit of the island and man to man. think it would be more ynomical if we keep toourarrangement #nd have a julge for each island; by this arrangement we will have better, quicker, and more expedient service. Judge Noil: says that according to American brinciples a judge cannot sit on police cases; cannot see why he couldn’t pass judgment on a police case as well as a bigger case; Ido not see why we cannot have a police judge for both toswns, he can be called by tele phone and be ou the spot in an hour. There comes the question—'l'hese police judges are to act as lawyers, lask if a judge pertorms his duties under the influence of the Government, as an official,if there would not be some question of partism? He eannot be impartial; he has twenty-one hundred dollars per annum and that alone is sufficient td keep him. i ask, gentlemen, not for myself, be cause the balance of my years are few, and my course as a lawyer will soon terminate, but thank God I can stand the loss. (Applause from the Lobby). The Chairman rang the bell for order ~nd asked the audience not to applaud iU ROER A VIS as it was against the rules. From a spectator in the Lobby: Isn’t the custom changed? 2nd Appointed Member (Noll) remark ed: Mr. Chairmann. In answer to the last speaker I want 4o state as Chairman of this Council’s Committee 1 have never made® a statement that the ordin%nce now before the Council could not de challged. I stated that the ordinances was not susceptible to change, but if any amend nent is to be made it could be offered when it is piacec before the Coun cil and under second discussion. As to the expens:s, there exists today one judge; two years ago you had two jadges at a salary of $2,200 dollars each per year; two Assistant Policemasters at 31,500 each per year;'in lieu of the As- sistant Policemasters we have two clerks, one drawing forty doilars and the other twenty dollars per month. It is said that the personnel proposed is going to increase the expenses, I wish any mem- ber who feels that way to go back to the budget for 1916. It is true that the Superior Judge should not try police cases; am arguing Justice and liberty. Any man who comes before the court should have the ligh: of justice around him. Under the pro- cedure which is now offered to yon if the defendant ie not satisfied he ecan go to tne higher court and have a trial by jury; that is what the people say they voted for the American Flag tor—Liberty. (Avplause from the Lob- by). 1t offers to the humblest man an® opportunity to go before the jury if he teels that the police judge has ot acted fairty. When the annual budget comes be- ore you, you will see that we are not asking for tvo much. itisall very well for Congress to say that you have ap peal to the third District Court of Phila delphia, but you have no one in Phila delphia to stand before the Court and argue your rights. As regards the police courts, we are offering you men who are learned in la~ to try police cases, and any in dividual can go before the upper court if he is not satisfied; and again, if he feels that he cannot trust the ju ge, he can call for a jury of his own peers. Take the Honorable Member’s state ment that one judge can act for both towns, I would agree if it wouldjbe expe- l dient, but I don’t deem it wise for the Council to ;pass a law asking for one judge. If the Governor feels that the traveling expenses would be. more than what it would cost to employ a man then let the Governor make a double appointment. As Chairman of the Committee on these code of laws I say these laws are subject to change, and if any man ecan offer any change which is better than the one which is offered to you I shall be only be too willing to accept and vote for it. [TO be continucd]. CORRECTIONS In Mr. Bough’s etter in yesterday’s Issue please read ‘‘my countrymen and friends’’ instead of “country friends.”’ I In Mr. Larsen’s article on the postal i service in Thursdzy’s issue please read fourth page, third to last paragraph, 17th. and 18th. lines'* as it is a physi cal impossibility’’ irstead of as it would be. I .e s e S s o i et There is no milk in town thijs morning except what can be obtained from estates not connected or influenced by the Dairy. The aim to raise the price of milk to 15 or 17 cents a quart being defeated at the last meeting of the Food Commission is the reason for the closing down of the Dairy it is stated. The committe appointed bv popular vote to effect amendments in the new code of laws feels that the Council should decline 'to pass the laws until a perma nent act defining the status of the people is made by Congiess. The 8. S. Korona arrived at this port this morning and has becun to load su ~gar from the St. Croix Sugar Factory. The schooner Creole is also here with mails from St Thomas. The Virginia has not reached Frederik sted as far as can be learnt. Personal Ope Letter To Mr. Thomas Ramsay Christiansted, St. Croix, V. 1.. April 30, 1920 Sir In the minutes of the Colonial Coun cil’s proceedings published in today’s is sue of the St. Croix Avis, I note with some surprise your reference made in the Council’s discussion of the telephone question on Monday last that you ‘‘be lieved the manager of the telephone a good man but a- he has had no technical training, ete.,”” I have no desire to re sent your statement except that I eonsi der it an assumption unwarranted by your meagre knowledge of me and my pursuitg in the past. Not having known of your existence and, I doubt very much, you of mine prior to my coming here but a little more than a year ago since when we have promiscously met, I can ven- ture to say, but three or four times in whici: no opportunity was afforded you to become acquainted with my qualifica tions, I consider your statement ungu g ed and exemplary of the same sor% recklessness which, 1 daresay, prompiéd you to say you would pay $lO a motith for your telephone, as I know more of 'Tom Ramsay in the latter respect than he knows of me in the other. Yours truly H. BERG.

Page 4

Holders of Liberty Bonds HE Bank having been requested by the I'reasury Department in Wash ington to assist the Treasury and the Public in having the temporary Liberty Bonds held in these “islands, exchanged for permanent Bonds, has considered it a pleasure to place its facilities at the disposal of the Treasury for the said purpose, for which reason it begs to notity the Public that it is willing to receive, without costs or charges, any Bonds held in these Communities, and forward same to Washington for Exchange as mentioned above. All holders of the Third Liberty Loan Bonds are particular ly requested to address the Bank as early as possible with their Holdings, in order to obtain the new Bonds with attached Coupons. Further information on application. St. Thomas and St. Croix, the 23rd April 1920. THE NATIONAL BANK OF THE DANISH WEST INDIES. QUEBEG STEAMSHIP GO. NOTICE. ACCORDING to cable advices re ceived, the S. 3. ‘““Manoa’’ (sche duled to have sailed from New York April 24)) has been withdrawn. And the next sailing from New York, will be the S. S. “GUIANA” scheduled to sail May 5, calling at all ports. ROB’T. L. MERWIN CO., Agents. Frederiksted. April 26, 1520. FOR SALE. Belle Veue or part of it, Mt Wel come and Eliza’s ietreat and part of Lit. Princess and Golden Rock. Apply to EM. E. SVITZER. 27th April 1920. Richard Zakers is asked tc call at the Post Office, Christiansted. s gL X AN LS Ex 8. 8. Korona, AUTOM 'BILE REPAIR GUM, VULCANIZING CEMENT, CUT HEAL.ER VULCANIZERS, and Patches, CEMENTLESS PATCHES, MICA TIRE POWDER, SPARK PLUGS, FORD FAN BELTS, COMUTATOR WIRE, SPARK PLUG WIRE, GREASE GUNS, ford Brake Shoes, Transmission Brake Lining, Ford Radiator Caps, Switches Headlight, Sidelight and In strumznt Bulbs, Double and Single con tact, (oodrich timers for Fords, K ngston Cab retors for Fords, Ford M ts, Horns, Radi no Leak, Cotter Pins, Valve Insides, Bat terv Sringe, Tire Gauges, Strap on Boots Pump Connections, Lubricating Oil and Grease, Pliers and Electric Tail Lights, and Bumpvers. ERIK R. STAKEMANN.

OPTICAL AID. YOUR prescription filled same day as received, repairs dispatched by retvn of mails. F. M. CORNEIRO. ot Themas 1.2" 1 OF DEPOSITS WITHDRAWALS AT [HE NEV ST. CROIX SAVINGS BANK On Saturday the 24th April 1920, RECEIVERS: In Christiansted A. E. STAKEMANN Trustee. In Frederiksted R. E. HIGGINS Trustee. Balance of deposits to 17th Aprii 1920 75 809.49 64 Deposits, of which 49 in Christiansted 1,947.86 2new) 15 in Frederiksted 106.42 (1 new) 2,054.28 $77.868. 71 13 withdrawals of which 11 in Christiansted 355.94 2 in Frederiksted 2.90 $308.84 Balance of deposits to date 77,5604.93 Receivers for Saturday the Ist May 1920. In Christiansted A. E. STAKEMANN Trustee. In Frederiksted R E. HIGGINS Trustee. A. E. STAKEMANN President Provide f The Best Groceries Come and See. s A. R. Mclntosh. Christiansted 30’ April 1920. NOTICE.. PREACHING at the SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SUNDAY NIGHT MAY 2ND, 7.30 2. M SUBJECT: What Divine Law doés man transgress when he does common labor on Sunday I rather to walk alone with God, than to walk with the majority in error. Come, and you will hear good. P HALL, Pastor.