THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 489 



which latter it decided to do/°° A collision of the branches of the legislature 

 was approaching, and the experience of the years 1817-1821 was not forgotten. 

 The discord between the branches of the government was as threatening to 

 public interests as it had been at that time, and harmony between the two 

 Houses had become a thing of the past. Such a body, Balfour thought, would 

 not have been fit to deal with the slavery question in the stage to which it had 

 come. 



There was a reaction in public sentiment unfavorable to the members of 

 the late House. This was favorable to the government. The advantage, due 

 to the unpopularity of Sir James Smyth, had not been entirely lost. Suspicion 

 still prevailed among the supporters of the late representatives. Many were 

 jealous of the free blacks, who would now enjoy the exercise of the suffrage in 

 the approaching elections for a new House.^^^ It was probable that the new 

 elections would result in the return of different individuals to the House, and 

 in a virtual endorsement of the policy of the government. For this reason the 

 writs were issued at once, and a new election was held within ten days after the 

 dissolution. The more moderately disposed candidates were generally suc- 

 cessful. But the presence of the extremist element in this House was shown in 

 the first few days of its sittings. James Malcolm, who had been defeated 

 according to the return from Harbor Island, made application for the unseating 

 of the person elected."' He had been one of two members in the late House 

 who had consistently voted against the majority. The House determined not 

 to set any day for the consideration of his petition, until he should have entered 

 into a recognizance for £200 to pay the expenses of the investigation, in case 

 it appeared that the unsuccessful candidate had neglected to comply with the 

 provisions of the law.""* This had the effect of causing Malcolm not to pursue 

 the object of his petition, for which it was doubtless intended. Soon the 

 House voted that, unless the petitioner entered into the bond within three days, 



^'H. v., 1833, pp. 305-6. In dismissing the House the Lieutenant-Governor 

 usecl strong language, but he thought he was justified in the case that was 

 before him. He had hoped for a peaceful termination of the session. He had 

 borne with many petty taunting actions of the House, hoping that it might become 

 more moderate. See Balfour to Stanley, No. 61. 



^'-'^ hoc. cit. 



"■'" H. v., 1834, p. 47. In a scrutiny held in that district after the election, 

 Malcolm had had no representative. On the return of the scrutineers, one of their 

 number was heard to say that he believed, if Malcolm had been represented by a 

 scrutineer, he would have been declared elected. On the strength of this the un- 

 successful candidate prayed for an investigation by the House. 



-^' Loc. cit., p. 51. 



