Constitutional revisions in 1891 in British Guiana…
1888 CE to 1899 CE
Constitutional revisions in 1891 in British Guiana incorporate some of the changes demanded by the reformers.
The planters lose political influence with the abolition of the College of Electors and the relaxation of voter qualifications.
At the same time, the Court of Policy is enlarged to sixteen members; eight of these are to be elected members whose power will be balanced by that of eight appointed members.
The Combined Court also continues, consisting, as previously, of the Court of Policy and six financial representatives who are now elected.
To ensure that there will be no shift of power to elected officials, the governor remains the head of the Court of Policy; the executive duties of the Court of Policy are transferred to a new Executive Council, which the governor and planters dominate.
The 1891 revisions are a great disappointment to the colony's reformers.
As a result of the election of 1892, the membership of the new Combined Court is almost identical to that of the previous one.