do their fellow citizens, on national affairs. Decisions made by the President and his appointees affect us too.

Local issues can be taken care of adequately by ballots for the local Legislature every two years. Virgin Islanders through a half century as an American colony have proven themselves loyal citizens. They have served their country in the Armed Forces and many have died to save American democracy in every U.S. war since Pearl Harbor.

It is time Congress did its duty, too, and erased another of the few remaining archaic traces of the American imperialistic period which many thought had ended in the 1920s.

Mr. CAREY. On behalf of the subcommittee, I wish to thank all who have appeared before us, for their intensive interest in the affairs of the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands, for their forthright courage and determination to be heard in speaking out.

I also wish to commend the people of the Virgin Islands who have been here as spectators during the day and observers of the committee's deliberations. The number has reached into the hundreds, and conditions have not been entirely comfortable in terms of the heat and possibly some of the oratory from this quarter. You have survived both. I want to say that this is, to me, and I am sure to the other members of the subcommittee, most heartening; that the people of the Virgin Islands take this very intense interest in their own affairs.

We cannot predict at this time the outcome of this legislation, but I know that from both sides it will be earnest and there will be searching consideration given to all matters addressed in these hearings; and every allegation and every statement will be examined very carefully in the course of our deliberations in Washington and the public officials coming to Washington. I assure you that the interest you have shown here will be well served.

I want to commend you, also, for your conduct during the hearings, having no untoward incidents. As American citizens you have participated in the democratic process by attending congressional hearings and cooperating with the Chair in every way for an expeditious consideration of the witnesses' testimony.

I think that many States of the Union could take a lesson from the behavior of the Virgin Islanders during this time when we have been considering a bill of great interest to you, and during this period there has been a wholesome and historic American way preserved.

You have been here and there have been no hints of any kind of outbreak or violence of any kind. I think this, to Americans coming here, is a fine lesson in the way to conduct the democratic process, and we have received this lesson from the good people of the Virgin Islands.

We came here to learn, and we have learned. We will continue to learn how best we can serve you in the Congress.

I want to commend all of my colleagues who have been with us during these two days of hearings.

You realize tonight that we are moving through our 10th hour. There has been only a short recess for lunch. Members have been arduous and diligent and zealous in attending the hearings. They have stayed with the committee throughout these days of hearings.

I assure you there are many, many duties and preoccupations that require the presence of the members of this subcommittee in their districts at home and in Washington, but considering the importance of

this issue, they have come here and worked and discussed, not only during the committee sessions but at other times, in private conferences, the proper handling of all these affairs that are of such great consequence to the peoples of the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands.

I commend all my colleagues on both sides for their cooperation and for their attendance at these hearings.

The Chair at this time wishes to note that we have had with us today as an observer and guest at our hearings Mr. James Gamble, who is a member of the staff of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the U.S. Senate.

It has been a pleasure to have Mr. Gamble with us.

I recognize the gentleman from Maryland if he cares to make a comment at this time.

Mr. MORTON. I move that the committee adjourn.

Mr. CAREY. There being no objection, it is so ordered.

(The subcommittee adjourned at 7:55 p.m.)

O

ELECTION OF VIRGIN ISLANDS GOVERNOR

PART II

HEARINGS

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON

TERRITORIAL AND INSULAR AFFAIRS

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON

INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINETIETH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 7330 and related bills

AND

MATTERS RELATING TO ELECTION PROCEDURE AND
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

HEARINGS HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
JULY 20, 21, AND 24, 1967

Serial No. 90-15

Printed for the use of the Committee on Interior and Insular

83-749

LAW

Affairs

U. S. GOVT. DOCS. DEP.

NOV 29 1967

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
BERKELEY

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1967

COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WAYNE N. ASPINALL, Colorado, Chairman

Dr. JOHN L. TAYLOR, Consultant on Territorial and Indian Affairs

Note: The chairman, Hon. Wayne N. Aspinall, and the ranking minority member, Hon. John P. Saylor, are ex officio members of each subcommittee.