The Colony of Surinam. 21 
of the new constitution, has never sought for itself any 
preponderance in the Slates. The Governor is free and 
unfettered in his right of election of the 4 members, pro- 
vided they are eligible in the terms of the Colonial 
Constitution. But the Government Secretary is uneligi- 
ble. He may not be sent to a seat in the States, neither 
by the Governor nor by the electors. The same prohi- 
bition affects members of the military service and of the 
clergy. As a rule, the Government has elected its mem- 
bers from the ranks of the inhabitants, seldom from the 
Government officials, or, if from the latter, has frequently 
chosen an independent member of the Bench or Magis- 
trature. Frequently it has elected a member, who had 
failed to obtain the required majority of votes at a 
second election. This practice is still continued. There 
is no prevalence of governmental authority, there is no 
ascendency or predominance in the States. The Gover- 
nor himself is never present to advise or give his 
opinion ; he sends his delegates. 
As I have already said, the Home Government, in 
framing the new constitution, relied on the Kiezers. 
This confidence has, up to this day, not been betrayed. 
The fear that undesirable members might be sent to the 
Legislative body has not been realised, and, as a rule, 
members of the Bench, of the legal and also of the medi- 
cal profession, and planters and merchants of position 
have been sent to the House. 
Another limitation of the colony's franchise and of the 
attributes of her Legislative body, was also considered 
of essential necessity on account of the unfortunate 
financial position, to which I have already alluded. 
