When the chair of Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly became vacant, a junior member for the South, a Mr. L. O. Pindling, a negro, put himself forward. When he was voted down, the then Nassau Herald published a scathing review of the vote and the rejection of a negro for the seat.
HOUSE REJECTS NEGRO AS DEPUTY SPEAKER
It was a shocking jolt to the intelligence and dignity of Bahamian Negroes last Monday when the Hon. Eugene Dupuch, Negro Member for the Crooked Island District, voted to keep Mr. L. O. Pindling, PLP Junior Member for the South, from becoming the first Negro Deputy Speaker of the House.
When Mr. Robert Symonette was nominated by one of his group for Deputy Speaker, the Senior Member for Andros immediately nominated Mr. Pindling. It was felt that whilst no support from the white group could be expected all “acknowledged Negro” members in the House would have supported Mr. Pindling.
We do not believe that anyone in the House would seriously question the qualifications of Mr. Pindling, nor do we believe that there could be any doubt as to his capabilities of filling the post of Deputy Speaker with considerable dignity and integrity.
However, it was clear upon Monday that the members of the United Bahamian Party were not in the mood to elect a Negro as Deputy Speaker of the House.
Because of this reason alone it was all the more surprising when Dupuch supported Symonette in preference to Mr. Pindling who as well as being a capable young politician is a highly respected members of the legal profession, of which, Mr. Dupuch himself is a member.
Eugene Dupuch knows fully well that had be been nominated as Deputy Speaker the same men whom he supported Monday, at the expense of a member of his own race and profession, would have unanimously opposed him.
Dupuch is aware that it has been demonstrated a thousand times or more that Bahamian white voters have consistently refused to support Negroes, prominent or otherwise, at the polls. Likewise there is little use for Negro members of the House to aspire to the offices of Speaker, Deputy Speaker or Legal Adviser.
When we say “Negro members” we do more mean “Negro” in the true sense of the word, for there are Negroes in the House on the majority side, who disclaim their race and their birth and willingly take part in the enslavement of their people.
There is no hope for these Negroes. They are the slaves of their own inferiority complex and must therefore be considered traitors to the cause.
It is the acknowledged Negro in the House who are expected to show some racial pride, if that is possible, and support measures designed to bring about a better way of life for Negro people throughout these islands.
It is a great pity to see the members of the Progressive Liberal Party struggle against overwhelming odds to curb the nefarious actions of the Bay Street group and then be vigorously opposed by a Negro who is himself considered by the whites as a third class citizen.
I order to add insult to injury Mr. Dupuch voted Monday against the PLP on two other issues that were of vital concern to the mass of people in these islands.
He opposed the PLO in their efforts to forestall the sale of valuable piece of waterfront property to a private club that practices rank discrimination against Negroes.
When a member moved a Resolution calling on Government to make available to all members of he House copies of reports of Government Departments and Orders in Council, it was Mr. Dupuch who rose with precision to vote with the Bay Street group.
So active has this politician been in the interests of the Bay Street group that we can see no useful purpose for him remaining out of their official party. Perhaps it might serve his purpose even more if he resigns as chairman of the defunct BDL and take his place as a “silent” member of the United Bahamian Party.
In this role he will be able to contribute more to the well laid plans of the Bay Street group which call for the enslavement of Bahamian Negroes, economically, politically and socially.
His action in the House on Monday will not only be condemned by people in New Providence, but Bahamian Negroes throughout the Colony will seriously question his sincerity as a representative in the House and on the Executive Council, of Negro People.
Some weeks ago when Mr. Dupuch voted with the Bay Street “Boys” to spend £10,000 of the Colony’s revenue to feed horses we said then “Father forgive him, for he knows not what he does.”
He knew it was wrong, because he had expressed it, but rather than vote with the PLP he would much prefer to do wrong int he company with the Bay Street group.
We have been asked repeatedly to attack Dupuch for his attitude in the House towards the Progressive Liberal Party, we had hoped that by now he would have seen the folly of his way and it would not be necessary to expose him.
We have been told that it was because of some of his advice that ht eGovernor made so many blatant mistakes during the weeks preceding the general strike.
Now that the member for Crooked Island has shown his true colour in the House one must accept as gospel truth the reports we have heard about him in Council.
In connection with the election of the Deputy Speaker we feel that it is our duty to point out that Mr. Gerald Cash, the Junior Member for the West, voted for Mr. Pindling.
Cyril Stevenson, The Nassau Herald, Nassau, N.P
Saturday, July 5, 1958
