During the period of the existence of the Colonial of 1863 there were
periods of harmony and of friction. Friction between the Governor and the Councils
was common. Sometimes the Central Government in Denmark seemed more caring
than its Colonial governor in the colony. For example, in 1872 Governor Janus August
Garde condemned the Danish Central Government for appearing to encourage the
idea of self-government in the Islands. He held that it resulted in considerable political
agitation. On one occasion Governor Garde went so far as to abruptly dissolve the
Colonial Council of St. Thomas and St. John.

 The Colonial Law of April 6. 1906

 The Historical Context

 The economy of the Danish West Indies continued to decline during the
 last third of the 19th Century and into the first decade of the 20th. Constitutional and
 political adjustments after 1863 were intended to improve the economy through
 relevant governmental changes and modifications.

 The colonial population, hoping and believing in an eventual United
 States take-over of the Islands, was generally apathetic toward politics. Moreover, the
 Danish government sharing the very same hopes and beliefs as the colonial
 population relative to an eventual if not imminent American acquisition of the Islands,
 continued to neglect the economic welfare of its West Indian possession.

 However, when the transfer Treaty of 1902 failed, Denmark finally realized
 that something, no matter how small or symbolic, had to be done soon to improve or
 appear to improve the dismal economic, social and political conditions in the Danish
 Islands. It was concluded that the Colonial Law of 1863 had to be changed. The
 result was the Colonial Law of April 6, 1906.

 The most important provisions of the Colonial Law of April 6, 1906 were as
 follows:

 1. All colonial legislation had to be made conjointly by the king
 and the Colonial Council in the form of Ordinances. All
 Ordinances had to be laid on the table of the Diet at its next
 session.

 2. Before any law relating to the colony be given, the Colonial
 Council would be afforded an opportunity to express its
 opinion on the matter.

 3. In extraordinary circumstances the Governor had authority to
 issue provisional laws or ordinances, but they had to be laid
 before the Colonial Council at its next meeting.