MEMORIAL AGAINST THE COUNCIL. 



47 



on through a succession of salaries all proportionately- 

 enormous and equally unnecessary. 



The administration party, on the other hand, say that 

 none of those holding office find their compensation exces- 

 sive ; that a residence in a hot climate, and distant from 

 home, deserves to be well paid for; that they accepted 

 office under the present rate, and they have a vested inter- 

 est in their salaries, which ought not to be violated. The 

 planters reply, that it was never their wish to have any one 

 leave a distant home to rule them in Jamaica ; in other 

 words, they would be perfectly willing to furnish resident 

 incumbents for all the offices on the island, for such ap- 

 pointees would not require a premium for leaving home 

 and living in a hot climate. Indeed, the importation of 

 officials from the mother country has occasionally been re- 

 sented as a great grievance by the islanders, and not with- 

 out justice. The appointment of the present Chief Justice, 

 Sir Joshua Rowe, is an instance. He was the first Chief 

 Justice ever sent to Jamaica from abroad. He was ap- 

 pointed, I believe, about fifteen years ago. Theretofore the 

 first judicial office of the island had always been filled 

 from the Jamaica bar. The islanders felt so outraged at 

 this appointment, that for two years they refused to appro- 

 priate money for his salary. Meantime he went on dis- 

 charging his duties with noticeable ability and wisdom, 

 and added from day to day to the number of his personal 



