The Osceola times., 1881-06-25
CUBAN SLAVERY.
abolition Going on In an Encouraging
Manner.


Manner.
Charles A. Dana. who is how in Cuba,
writes as follows TO his parer, the New
York Sun: The abolition Of slavery was
decreed by an act of the Spanish Cortes,
which received the Royal signature on
the l3 h of February, 1880. BY this law,
the title of the owner TO his slaves is
transformed INTO what is called patron
ate. This is to last during eight years
from May Sth, 1850, at the expiration of
which the former slave becomes entire
ly free. During the patronate, the mas
ter is required to house, feed and clOtbe
the servant, to give him medical care,
and to him for his or her labor at the
fixed rate of So per month, gold.
He is no longer allowed TO whip the
servant, or to infict any sort Of corporal
punishment without the previous assent
of q magistrate or magistrates who are
established for the purpose in each dis
trict. The patron may, however, dock
the monthly pay of his former slave
when he either cannot work or refuses
to work; and this power, am assured
on all hands, Is extremely efhcacious in
preventing any such refusal.
The patron is also obliged by law to
maintain the old and intirm who cannot
work, as we'll as to provide food and
clothing FOR the children, and to give
them primary instruction and the edu-
cation necessary to exercise useful art
or occupation."
These obligations he cannot escape
from by any voluntary remuneration OF
his authority over the servant. This au-
thority he can only renounce in the
case Of those who are Of age and able to
work. He can sell his patronate, but in
80 doing families must be kept together.
The obligation to provide for the old and
infirm and to educate the children goes
with the sale of the patronate. The le-
gal value of a patronate in the case OF a
perfectly valid man or woman, without
children or parents TO be supported, is
for the present fixed by the law, at $50
year for each year of service remaining
due. Whenever the servant tenders this
amount the patron is obliged to give him
his freedom.
In the case of any abuse on the pant OF
the patron, the servant has the right TO
complain TO the proper magistrate, who
must hear the matter Immediately; and
if the abuse is gross, the magistrate has
power to give the servant his free pa.
pers. With freedom he acquires all civil
and political right, except that for four
years be remains under the oversight OF
the authorities, so far that he is bound
to be engaged In some satisfactory pur'
suit of industry.
Under,the provisions of this law which
has been in force now for nearly year,
the abolition of slavery appears to be
going forward in Cuba in perfectly reg
liar, peaceful and encouraging manner.
There is no interruption of labor and no
disturbance of public order
The former slaves everywhere do their
work as well as before. Indeed, | was
told tnst they do it much better; and |
could not learn of a single instance in
which any trouble had arisen from the
change in their relations. The receipt
of wages affords stimulus which they
ardently appreciate. Spaniards long
resident in the island, who had always
been strenuous opponents OF abolition
admitted to me that the success of the
measure is complete. Indeed, the fact
that whereas under slavery a considera-
BE proportion of the suger crop was an
nually destroyed by incendiary fires,
while under freedom such incendiarism
is thus far unknown, is more conclusive
on this point than the mere opinions Of
any numer Of persons.