PUBLIC HEARINGS ON H.R. 7330 AND RELATED BILLS, AND MATTERS RELATING TO ELECTION PROCEDURE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1967 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRITORIAL AND INSULAR AFFAIRS OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS. The subcommittee met at 9 a.m. in Charlotte Amalie High School auditorium, St. Thomas, V.I., the Honorable Hugh L. Carey (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Members present: Hon. Hugh L. Carey (chairman), Hon. Richard White (Texas), Hon. Rogers C. B. Morton (Maryland), Hon. Laurence J. Burton (Utah), Hon. Sam Steiger (Arizona), Hon. Thomas S. Foley (Washington State). Also present: Charles Leppert, committee counsel. Mr. CAREY. The Subcommittee on Territorial and Insular Affairs of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives will be in session and come to order for the consideration of the bill H.R. 7330, a bill for elected Governor of the Virgin Islands, and the committee will concern itself this morning with the economic affairs of the Virgin Islands and the conduct of elections in the Virgin Islands. As I said to the people of the island of St. Croix, in behalf of my colleagues on the committee and the Chair, I wish to state that our appearance here is a demonstration of our continuing interest in the people of the Virgin Islands and the affairs of the Virgin Islands. I want to state, also, that it has been truly appreciated by the members of the committee that the people of the Virgin Islands have been most cooperative in coming forward to give testimony on their own affairs. We seek all the information possible which can be gained during our brief stay on the island. We encourage all who wish to speak to come forward and do so. The rules set forth by the committee have required that anyone wishing to appear as a witness fulfill certain requirements by sending in copies of testimony, registering his interest or her interest in appearing in advance of our hearings. However, if there is anyone here today who did not notify the committee that he or she wished to appear, that person may give his name or her name to the clerk of the committee, Mr. Charles Leppert, who is seated to my right, by writing his or her name on a piece of paper, sending it up and indicating desire to be heard. Then if time permits after regularly scheduled witnesses have been heard, those persons who indicate a desire to appear will be heard. During the conduct of the hearings, in order to be expeditious and give everyone a chance to be heard and be questioned, the Chair requests that we maintain order at all times in the committee hearing room. This means that if someone says something about which you express approval or disapproval, the Chair requests that you refrain from doing so. Applause, laughter, and so forth, of a spontaneous variety happens in the best of audiences, and this, of course, may happen here. However, we ask that you do not chorus in a prolonged way regardless of what is said during the interrogation. In this way we can move along and maintain order. We have had the utmost cooperation of the people of St. Croix, and the Chair is led to believe that the same fine spirit of cooperation will be forthcoming from the people of St. Thomas. I would like at this time to introduce the members of our subcommittee and at the opening any members who wish to be recognized to express themselves to the people of St. Thomas and St. John will be called upon to do so. On my left on the majority side, the Congressman from the State of Texas, my colleague, Mr. Richard White. Next on my left, the Congressman from the State of Washington, the Honorable Thomas Foley. On my right the ranking minority member of our subcommittee, the distinguished gentleman from the State of Maryland, Mr. Rogers Morton. On his right the distinguished gentleman from the State of Utah, Congressman Laurence Burton. On his right, the gentleman from the State of Arizona, Congressman Sam Steiger. Do any of the members seek recognition at this time? Mr. MORTON. Mr. Chairman, I want for the minority to express our pleasure in being here and to express our gratitude to the many people of St. Croix who testified and those also who sat so patiently dur ing a very long day of hearings. We are here not to debate an issue. We are here not to debate either among ourselves. We are here to seek information, to learn more about the Virgin Islands, the government of the Virgin Islands, the people of the Virgin Islands, and the general environment in which they work and live. I feel that it is an honor for us to be with these wonderful people who have been so hospitable, and for your hospitality I would like at this time, because perhaps the opportunity will not present itself later, to say thank you very much. I hope that we can garnish some facts and some information tha can make us better legislators, better to represent the people and the country, which is our primary job. That is why we are here. If sometimes we seem persistent, if sometimes we seem to be overstretching in our effort to reach the truth, bear with us. Thank you very much. Mr. CAREY. Does any other member of the committee seek recognition at this time? (No response.) Mr. CAREY. The committee will proceed to hear witnesses. The first witness on the agenda this morning is Mr. Neville Thomas, chairman, St. Thomas Board of Elections. Mr. Thomas, would you come forward, please? To carry on the hearings in the most expeditious fashion I will say that the full prepared statement will be inserted in our record. I see you have various exhibits in this statement. Unless there is objection the matters appended to the statement of Mr. Thomas will be incorporated in our record by reference. Hearing no objection it is so ordered. STATEMENT OF NEVILLE THOMAS, CHAIRMAN, ST. THOMAS BOARD OF ELECTIONS (Mr. Thomas' prepared statement follows:) REPORT TO SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRITORIAL AND INSULAR AFFAIRS ON THE GENERAL ELECTION IN ST. THOMAS FOR 1966 BY NEVILLE THOMAS, CHAIRMAN, ST. THOMAS BOARD OF ELECTIONS Virgin Islands Code, Title 18, section 41, establishes Board of Elections for the Virgin Islands, the composition of these Boards and their duties and responsibilities. I have no knowledge that the St. Thomas Board of Elections did not adhere to the law prior to my election as Chairman in 1962. I do know that the Board has adhered to all of the provisions of the law during my tenure as Chairman. During the years that I have served as Chairman, this Board has not received any complaints to the effect that the provisions of the law were not being implemented. This Board has not received any complaints regarding the preparations for the election held in 1966 nor the conduct of that election. Members of the Board of Elections, however, have read in newspaper articles, or heard radio broadcasts that there were irregularities. Accordingly, I am appearing here to cite the preparations made prior to the election in 1966, and the conduct of that election on November 8, 1966. The St. Thomas Board of Elections consists of eleven members. The political affiliations of these members are as follows: As of October 14, 1966, the number of persons registered to vote in St. Thomas, broken down by political parties was as follows: Political Party: Democratic Republican Total. Number of registered voters 7,009 324 768 8, 101 1 Consists of persons not identified with any party recognized by law as of this date. These groups were Virgin Islands Party, Popular Vanguard Party and persons who did not register for any party. Virgin Islands Code, Title 18, section 91 through 100 provides for the registration of voters and their enrollment in political parties. Accordingly, 26 periods were established for registration and enrollment purposes during the period beginning July 3, 1966 and ending October 14, 1966. These periods included night periods, day periods and Sunday periods. These periods were scheduled in 13 different locations on the island for the convenience of prospective voters. (See exhibit 1.2) The breakdown by time is as follows: 1 Two periods not shown on attached schedule was in response to special request and were announced on Radios and TV. Minutes of the Board is attached to this exhibit. Time limitations were listed for control purposes. Registrations continued as long as people were present. These schedules were published in local newspapers, posted in conspicious places and announced over the radio and television networks on the island. Consequently, there could be no valid charge that prospective voters were not afforded ample opportunities to register to vote, or to enroll in the political parties of their choice. Section 151 subsection (d) provides that all primaries and elections shall be conducted by Election Officers appointed by the Board of Elections. Subsections (a) and (b) specify the method to be used in appointing the Election Officers and the quantity which shall be assigned to each polling place. Pursuant to section 151(a), letters were sent to the leaders of all political parties requesting that they submit nominees for appointments as Election Officers. (see exhibit 2) In response to these requests, the Democratic Party submitted a list of fifty-four (54) names (exhibit 3, penciled marks by Board members). The Republican Party submitted a list of eighteen (18) names (exhibit 4, only names in St. Thomas could be considered, markings by Board Members). Out of the number submitted by the Republicans, one was a registered Democrat and could not be properly appointed by the Republicans (section 151 (a), lines 13-18). The other seventeen nominees were appointed. Since the Republican Party did not nominate enough persons to staff all of the polling places, and some nominees of the Democratic Party were unable to serve, it was necessary for the Board to appoint others in conformity with section 151 (b). Only at Lockhart Elementary School. Building D, did the two clerks belong to the same party. This occurred because the person who accepted an appointment failed to show up. Mrs. Magdalene Pike Abraham, was nominated by the Republican Party on the morning of election. She stated in the presence of witnesses that she was registered as a Democrat, but was opposed to one faction of Democrats,1 The Polling Districts for the Legislative District of St. Thomas are fixed by Title 18, section 191. The Board of Elections is directed to fix the Polling Places by section 194 and specific instructions are given in section 195, regarding the kinds of buildings to use. Accordingly, the Board established 18 polling places with appropriate Map Descriptions and published and posted the list (exhibit 7). Title 18, section 552 provide that each candidate for election or each political party which has nominated candidate may appoint watchers. The Board of Elections so advised each candidate (exhibit 8), and each political party (exhibit 9). The responses are shown as exhibit 10. Thus, the Republican Coalition submitted a total of 108 watchers and the Democratic Party a total of 54 watchers. Title 18, V.I.C. took the conduct of the election away from the Board of Elections and placed it in the hands of Election Officers appointed by the Board. In order to make sure that the provisions of the law would be properly applied, several instructional meetings were held for Election Officers. At these meetings. they were instructed by the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, The Supervisor of Elections, and the Chairman of the Board of Elections. Additionally, they were given printed instructions and guides (exhibit 11). Members of the Board of Elections were assigned to various Polling Place to observe conditions and to provide any help which may be requested by Election Officers. The members of the Board reported no violations, and the Election Offcers did not report any violations. No citizen reported any violation to the Board of Election. Because of the intensity of the campaign, the Board felt that a request for a recount would be forthcoming. Accordingly, on Election night when the ballots were turned in, the Board, without request from any party or candidate, requested the Department of Public Safety to lock and safeguard all materials relating to the election. This was done. Upon receiving request for a recount from Ronald de Lugo, Omar Brown, 1 Witnesses were: Mrs. V. Anduze (D), Mrs. L. Vasquez (R), Mrs. Helen Raabe (R), Mrs. P. Wesselhoft (D), Mrs. E. Colon (R). Bertha Boschulte and Earle B. Ottley, the Board promptly scheduled a recount in the presence of candidates and watchers on November 16, 1966. The recount did not alter the winners and the losers. GENERAL NOTICE OF REGISTRATION OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS (VOTERS) EXHIBIT 1 In conformity with Virgin Islands Code, Title 18, Section 94 and 96, notice is hereby given that in the Legislative District of St. Thomas Registration for voting and Enrollment in political parties for 1966 and 1967 may be made on the dates and places listed below: Sunday, July 3, 1966-Southside-3 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 8, 1966-Jefferson School-7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 10, 1966-Frenchtown Kindergarten-3 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 15, 1966-Dober School-7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 1966-Herrick School-10 to 12 Noon. Friday, July 22, 1966-Oswald Harris Court-7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 29, 1966-New Nisky School-7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 1966-Paul M. Pearson Garden-3 to 5 p.m. Monday, September 19, 1966-New Nisky School-7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 1966-Frenchtown Kindergarten-3 to 5 p.m. Published in The Daily News on July 2, 9 and 16, 1966 and in The Home NEVILLE THOMAS, Chairman, Board of Elections, St. Thomas. PUBLIC NOTICE OF REGISTRATION OF VOTERS Public Notice is hereby given that there will be Three (3) meetings of the Boards of Elections of St. Thomas and St. John, for the purpose of registering voters, Prior to the General Election scheduled to be held on November 8, 1966, as follows: IN ST. JOHN Monday, October 10, 1966-Office of the Board of Elections (Cruz Bay), 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, 1966-Office of the Board of Elections (Cruz Bay), 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, October 14, 1966-Benjamin Franklin School (Coral Bay), 5 to 7 p.m. IN ST. THOMAS Monday, October 10, 1966-Office of the Supervisor of Elections (Crystal Gade 3), 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, 1966-Lincoln School, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, October 14, 1966-Dober School, 7 to 9 p.m. Public Notice is further given that the meetings of the Boards of Elections of St. Thomas and St. John heretofore scheduled for October 5, 1966 and October 7, 1966 are hereby Cancelled. Dated: October 3, 1966. HENRITA TODMAN, Supervisor of Elections. |