Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-09-01
From The Boston Mercantile Journal.
SCENES in HAVANA. IN 1890.


port which however, proved 10 bc ,nlonnd
ca, gave rise 10 regret, on The pnrl Of lhos,
who have been familiar with the policc resyu
iat'ons OF Havana for some wears nast nm,
are aware OF The great and important chan
ges' which General Tacon introduced soor
ai'er his accession TO office-by which IN,
'ives aud property of foreigners as well a,
citizens' are rendered comparatively safe
ana gaming and other vices of mapni,uJe
nave received salutary check.
General Tacon is deserving of much Gro
an Tor the irlnness and Judgment which h.
has evinced in purifying the moral n,nos.
pnere OF Cuba But il may be Questioned
whether he should be complimented nt The
expense oil his predecessor. When Gene,.
al wives was appointed to the Office OF Gov.
ernor General Of Cuba, some twelve or 6c
teen years ago, the condition of the nolice--
ana OF me morals of the people were OF the
lowest eoo The coast was lined with ri.
'".eS' whose bloodihirsty depredaions re-.
eeiyed no check from the civil authorities
roooerIes were frequent in the harbor ms
wen as on the shore-gangs Of armed ruff
hans boldly parading the streets and attack
ing dwellings where money or Jewels were
deposiled-or boarding some vessel nj nm.
Choir, IN the night, and carrying off every.
thing valuable. and perhaps wounding or
numbering some of the crew. Assassino.
tions We're then frequent in the streets of Ha
vana--and bands OF mounted brionnds
would sometimes enter the city from the in
terror and commit acts of violence and RI.
pine, frequently without moles;ation--bu,
sometimes they would be opposed BY tbecitv
guard, and sanguinary engagements would
axe pace IN the streets OF Havana Scar.
cely morning passed that the dead body of
some helpless being could not be seen, with
deep wound inflicted BY u slileito or a
Spanish knife, in the bosom, exposed in front
of the Cathedral, that it might be recorniz.
I'd by some individual, and convened 10 his
friends TO receive the rites of sepulchre.
When Wives was appointed to the govern
nent OF the island, he displayed an energy
u character and disposition to reform a.
buses, which reflects upon his character the
lightest honor. The system OF piracy was
'ioken up-the brigauds were ex,ermina,ed
and life and properly became compare.
lively safe. He did much towards establish.
ng an efficient poiice-and although after
'e had carried his Improvements 10 a Ger. |
ain point, he suffered his energies to relax
yet as he was the means OF effecting an |
stonIshIng change in the moral as well as |
ivil condition OF the people, and did it at
treat personal risk-hs name should al. !
ways be mentioned with respect by the in
labiianis OF Cuba. and all foreigners who
njoyed the benefits of his praiseworhy con-
uct.
We happened to be in Havana during the
ummer OF 1928 short time before General
Z ives assumed the reins of the government
and the cases OF II shameful violation of
u laws, human and divine, both nightly and
ally. coverlly and openly, were numerous
nd appalling. We will relate few ins,an.
es, that our readers may see that when vi.
es was appointed to the Office Of Governor
General OF Cuba, he could not boast of hay
lg obtained sinecure
An American sbipmaster belonging to
'oson had occasion TO visi, the Reglas. an
land in the hurbor, from whence molasses.
oney, &c. are generally furnished TO Amer
AN vessels. Being stranger, he landed
the wrong quay, and left his boat, to 90
} the head Of the wharf to make enquiries
lie had hardly turned the corner. when he
as seized by the collar, by two ferocious.
,okng men, one OF whom held knife to |
is throat-Inaking, at the same time. some I
oppressive though by no means graceful GEES
res, but without speaking word. A I
ird very adroiIly took possession of his ,
alch, turned his pocket inside out, and @
cked up a few half doubloons, a pencil r
Use, &c. which had fallen from them His 4
'at, II fine broadcloth, and hat, handsome |
ab-were nexi doomed TO change propri. 4
ors-when with the finishing ceremony Of Ii
slurds kick en- deirrere he was dismissed,
I'd returned chop fallen 10 his boat-lo the q
'eat astonishment of his crew---havins /,
en- absent less than five minutes i
Several American gentlemen, undertook n
e afternoon to make an excursion along {
e beach to the eastward of the Moro castle D
search Of marine shells, which were said n
be abundant in that place. AS this beach Fl
distant two or three miles from Havana II
d there being hardly any inhabitants in ii
3 neighborhood, they anticipated no rude il
d inhospitable treatment-and left the DIFF D,
ent vessels. which they commanded, on o;
lich they regarded as their temporary 81
mes, well dressed. personable ing men, lie
fine spirits and ready for any frolic,-- hi
ley returned in about two hours, almost in 81
tate of nature having met band Of ug- la
looking fellows, who did not take the to
uble 10 examine their pockets--but slripi Sc
IN, with the exception of single gar M
mt, of all their clothes In this state in
y were compelled TO return TO their land m
place nearest TO one of their shins an IN