The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-01
CUBA.

CUBA.
This island is now a great object OF IN
terest, not only to the American people,
but to all the world. Half a century ago,
the Chevalier de Marbois foretold that
Cuba could never remain a colony, being
worth more intrinsically than many a
European kingdom. The development of
the resources of that island, in spite OF
bad administration, of execrable laws, has
sufiiced to call attention to the system ex-
listing in the "Queen of the Antilles"
From a work on Cuba-that of TURN
BULL, usually considered the most anthem
tic and the most reliable authoriiy-we are
induced to make the following digest OF
the principles which appear to actuate
the government of the island. The vast
extent of Cuba, the largest island in
the western hemisphere, has made it
necessary to divide it into civil, Judicial,
military, and ecclesiastical jurisdictions.
The civil jurisdiction is divided into two
provinces, with separate governors, alto
gether independent of each other in the
ory. The eastern extremity Of the island
is under the charge of governor OF San
tiaoo de Cuba, while the western is under
the control of a captain general de San
! Cristobal de la Habana. In civil func-
tons these two officers are altogether dis
tinct and Independent, though in military
affairs the first has an er-offcio command.
1t has sometimes happened that the gge
of the eastern end has had no rank, the
troops being commanded by an officer purely
military. The captain general must, how
ever, whatever may be- the army rank OF the
first officer Of the forces, be second only
to the orders of the Spanish crown. AT
Matanzas, Trinidad, Puerto Principe, and
Cienfuegos, are also officers, with the title
OF qobenador, or GOVERN R, the duty Of
whom, however, is merely Judicial. Sub
ordinate to these are the capitaneS guerra,
relics of the old contests with the abongi-
nal inhabitants. The captain general is
the supreme military authority OF the
whole island, and chief OF the real auth
eqcia, the seat of which is the city of Ha-
vana. In every city of the island there
are also perpetual courts, known as dyunta
nienfos prpetuos, and in the rural districts
jueces pedaneos, appointed by the loca
governors. The latter are rather com
missaries of police than judges, being
charged with general surveillance of the
law and order of their districts.
The ayuntamiento Of Havana once con
sisted of four corregidors. This number
was afterwards increased by two, and ulti
: mately to eight, commissioner for pro
noting the crusades and another office
having been added. The commissions
residing in Spain, in 1884 and 1885
eclipsed the msgnifcence Of the repre-
sentatiyes Of first-rate powers, and hi
deputado in Havana left all the Cuban no
blesse far behind him. Ultimately Ha
vana became a city, and the corregldor
WtIt IdiseO 10 lNtlNt, Oht VI WhOih We
the alferez, real or royal standard-bearer
second the chief alguacil; the third al
officer of the Santa Hermandad, so cele
brated by Gil Bias fourth the pubi
administrator fifth holds an untransla
. table office as Receptor d Penas de Camdrd
It and sixth is the keeper of the archives
. treasures, sc. Several Of the corregidor
! hold their office by hereditary right, anon
r whom is the Paoire de Memories, who, how
y ever, has no deliberative voice.
4 At present, therefore, the ayuntamient
d of the Havana consists of twelve CorTeg'
e doris; two aicatdes ordinarios, elected annu
ally; two AicaLdes de la Santa Hernandez
e also elected annually; one .Moyr ProDin