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me some money asking that the repairs be made. I informed the department of this fact and asked for an est mate of what the work would cost. This was in September; in November I received the estimate showing $72.75 of which sls was only for weeding tie yard. I refused to stand -by and see such advantage taken, so I went ahead and had the work done for a lit- tle less than $33.00. There is somebody in that department who is making (oo much money on these things, in fact I was told by Dr. Rydeep that they could do the work much cheaper than the pri- vate individual. Here are two cases—- one an ‘old woman who was charged eighty-five dollars for repairing a closet, and an estimate for seventy two dollars and seventy-five cents for weeding and repairing a property and the work was done for less than thirty-three dol- lars. As soon as I commenced the work I received a summons for criminal pro- secution in the Police Court. What do you think of that? Do you believe if we had a commission that could happen? No! The Commission would know me. Ido not tell lies. If the Sanitary De- partment can bring in a criminal case against me, one who is ahle to defend himself simply on a question of my giv- ing an information to th- Tax Commis- sion, than what do you think the poor ignorant people have to stand. There certainly is great need for commissions in this island, andI leave the question to the Council to decide, because the members know as well as I do that the commissions are necessiry. The com- missions were done away with because we had war and the Couneil and the peo- ple were willing :0 meet the new Govern- ment and make concessions, and in doing s1 they believed they .72re comiag o the land of iiberty, the country of the free, now they have found out to th2 contrary. We hope and trust that the time wili come when the Government will see the need of the Commissions. Look at Rus- sia and Germany, where are they with their rule of one man? It may be said that the Constitution of the United States does not extend to these islands, hat the spirit of the Constitution is here with us, and we wish the spirit to re- main with the poor pzople. We have no morey, but we are willing to g» ahead quietly; give us rights that the laws ac- cord us and we will be satisfied I wish to recommend that the Council receive this draft of ordinance with favor; if any man can put his hand on his heart and say that the commissions are not desir- able, I wish he would be frank in saying so. His Execellency, the Governor, has stated in this Council that the commis- sions should aect, I do not know how the Honorable Chairman had interpreted the statement madeé by the Governor I have not seen any commission appointed by the Council; I heard that the Munici- pal Committee has elected commissions, RE £ BEUI X AV IE but I do not know who they are. I m.vs‘il.f was apoointed a member for the ‘Leper Asylum, but I do not know who the others are. The Grand Sire of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Denmark has asked questions, I do polals know how to call a meeting so as to get the desired information; therefore 1 cannot give any opinion. I cannot see how a commission like that should be done away with. I heard that a case brought by the Chief of the Sanitary Department was dismissed in the Police Court because the parties who met were not lawyers, and that the Judge was complained to the Government: if that is true it is ri- diculous; if it could be that a man when not satisfied with the judemeant of a court and he could complain tke judge and have the Governor interfere where would we be? That would be intimida- tion. Every man holds up his hand to the qecree of the Judiciary Department, a judge may err, but noone tocomplain to except the Appelate Court. I have much more to say. but 1 think I have said enough. What [am against most is the action of the Sanitary Depagtment. One of the former chiefs of thalé department had the idea that all closets should be sereened, very well, the poor people did it; had some mcney saved up from their house rent, denying themselves neces- sities; another official succeeded the former official and he had the screens covered and ordered a flue, and so it goes with the changes of the different officers, no one knows if what he is or- dered to do today will not be counter- ordered tomorrow. To be continued. LOCAL. The S. S. Parima from New York ar- rived at St. Thomas at 11 o’clock last night aceording to advice rublished by the Cabie Office here. At that rate she is not looked for in Frederiksted before some time today. A TRIBUTE TO DON JUAN RIVERA. The Procession by the children of the various schools in Christiansted on Feb. 22nd in honour of Washington’s Birth- day., was a marked success. Their attire and behavior thronghout the entire dem- onstration was pleasing; the bandstand, from which an elcquent adqress by Revd. Father Fields, visiting pastor to the Episcopal Church was delivered, was tastily decoraied; the patriotic songs hy the ehildren accompanied by the U. S. Navy Band was real inspiring; but above all and foremost of all, was a picture painting of the Father of the U. S. done by the nand of Mr. John Rivera of Porto Rico, Spanish Teacher at the Christian- sted High School. The picture was a masterly achievement, judging from famous paintingsof this Great Man, and ' the voices raised in appreciation to the work were almost unanimous. That nn- .~ ble head which every true American | adores was crowned by a symbolic Eagle - made by the same hand, and could not ~ fail to draw deep emotion from those - who saw and iistened at the same time to ~ the exemplary quslities, of Washington, depicted by the Speaker. Mr. Rivera ~ did not fail to remember the cherries, . two of which were neatly done in a corn- . er of the picture. | Very many believed that the picture . was ordered from the U. S. for the ocea- ' sion, but it was the interest of Mr. Rive- . rain his vocation (the schcol) backed by genius and love of art, that inspired the artist, and the picture was accomplished ' in a few hours. : , Mr. Rivera has made many friends in . Christiansted, by his genial and unas- suming disposition. He aiso carves in - wood, he is a taxedermist of quality, ~and an accomplished musician. He per- .~ forms on the Flute, Violin and (la- . rinet. The tonal production and execu . tion in the last named instrument ecannot . be surpassed by any now living in this . Island Mr Rivera is also sincere and the Director of Schools is to be congratulated . in securing such an able worker for Chris . tiansted. Just to'sight his sincerity. On | a recent visit to his home, Mr. Rivera was - offered a first class position in one of the . large schools. with every conveaqience . and inducement that a worker could de- ~ sire, with his family and relatives at hand ~ but refusing to break his engagement in . this island denied himself the opoortunity. . He exhibits a keen interest in his schol- ars, (allow me also to add, that, the | other teachers, at the High School two - American voung ladies, also show mark- . ed interest in the scholars, and are very ‘ much loved by them) and parents can | place all eonfidence through him in the . success of their children. | Let us hope that Mr. Rivera’s good - work among the children of this genera- | tion; may bear abundant fruit, to the - satisfaction of all concerned. | . D. | TELEGRAMS. ST. CROIX STATION. San .luan, P. R., Feb. 24th. —Second . death occurred among the four cases . first reported and another fresh case has .~ Deen discovered in Puerta de Tierra and . declared to be plague. Dr Rolla B. Hill of . the Rockefeller Foundation is in charge ' of the rat Killing campaign which is be- - ing waged on a large scale. Warehouses ' and provision stores being sealed and fu- migated. Infected rats have been found in various widely separated parts of San Juan. | Havana, Feb. 23rd —The Australian Govt. is making - extensive purchases of Cuban sugar whi‘h is being shipoed from various ports. It is reported that one million sacks of sugar have been contracted for.