Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-20
THE RULE OF GOV. TAcoN.
A Man who Upset An Notions OF What
p Governor General should BE.

''What we want here is another TacOn,'
has often been said TO me 10y both Span
iards and Cubans.
. This remark expresses the general dis
satisfaction with tue condition of things
here, the official corruption, the corrup-
ton OF the judiciary, the cunningly in
.V0lVed nature OF the law which lays IL
self studiously open to opportunities for
Just such corruption, and the constant
intrigue carried on between officials here
and in Spain. The offices in Cuba. civil
as we'll as military, are farmed out by
powerful politicians in Madrid A Cap
tain General like Peudergast who shows
any foolish disposition to do some justice
to the suffering people OF Cuba, aud who
kicks against the behests Of the Madrid
ring, speedily finds himself recalled. So
in lieu OF something better in the shape
of representative government, the Gu
bans sigh for a man like Tacon, who at
least took the law into bis own hands and
dealt mercilessly with all evil-doers, high
or low. His name is craven or the heart
of Cuba more deeply than tIat Of any
Captain General that the island has
known.
1t was, believe, in 1887, that he was
first sent over. Havana even then was
very powerful and wealthy city and
fine prey tor those strong enough 10
fleece it, The city was, moreover, den
OF gamblers, thieves, and cut-thrOats.
Murders and robberies were Of daily oc-
currence and without much attempt AT
disguise. The police and military system
was practically useless and sometimes IN
collision with the criminals, while JUS
Uice WAS very blind indeed. II was to
break down this state OF aw!essness That
the home government at last reused itself
10 the necessity of sending over as Cap
tain General A man on whose intleNlbillty
and integrity they could absolutely rely.
Havana was not in the least disturbed
by T8con's coming. One Captain Gene
raj was rs venal as another. IN the
judgment OF tine Hab8nCrOs. The usual
show Of loyal welcome was made To the
newcomer on his arrival. Iacon took II
cOOily. He gave himself "a week or two
10 study the situation, sending for private
persons whose information he considered
Of value and looking into things for him
self The HaDanerOs laughed in their
sleeves. In bis own time the Captain
General summoned TO his presence the po-
lice inspectors. They were told that crime
must be put down in Havana, and that If
mot put down they would be held TO
dNNBuuAs ltt AfHiA'f iva eI Wa a. Aii'f'A -
edged Co be very inefficient, and the police
officials owned that the criminals were
too strong for them.
sas '-But the persons and haunts," SAID
TacOn, "and methods of these law
brtakers are known 10 you, are they
nOtfv
/. f'Ch, yes, your ENcellency"
eAnd you could put your hands on the
ringleadersy'
.'Most certainly, your EXcellency.'
q f'Ywy we'll you snall be REINFORCED if
necessary, but secure the ringleaders at
ranucOst."
Within the two days Havana was as
tOaished by sudden police raid and by
the Wholesale arrest, without any imme-
'diaie cause, of men who had been the ter
rbr OF the city. They were marched in
body 10 the palace Of the Captain General.
TaoOn had informed himself as 10 the
crimes and persons of each
81 know you all =" he said, ''and of what
YOU have been guilty, each man OF you.
Now, / iay choice before yOu- 1Ou are
M libTfY 10 20 and resume your criminal
careers. But ! warn you that If caught
in criminal act OF any kind. your pun
ishmeUt will surely be death. Make no
mistake mean death. Or | will give
You a chance To redeem your lives and be-
come decent men. | am willing to try
Nou ~ the service Of the State as police.
You Will Rewarded according to the zeal
and ability you display. Now what do
you propose TO dOY'
y or course. there was but one answer,
'ifoF they all felt that this blunt man meant
what he said. They We're drafted into
the police. and. knowing their kind, be
came Almost efficient arm in the service
OF the State.
TacOn had not been long at work when
one of the usual murders was commit
: ted ~ man Of some influence, who had
powerful friends. The murderer was
specify captured and clapped IN prison.
There he remained week without being
brought TO trial. Tac0n summoned the
JUdgein whose district the murder had
been committed, and asked what had been
done IN the case.
''Oh, the usual preliminary processes
have been gone through in accordance
with law" said the Judge.
"Was the man guilty Of the murder or
notY'
= ',Accoriing TO the testimony Of the wit
nesses, he is guilty"
"rhen why is he not brought to trial?
A murder pas been committed, and there
aue witnesses who assert that they saw
the deed done. | want this case proceed
ed with at once"
81 The case came on next day for trial
Ihere was no lOOphOle of escape for the
murderer, save in the laws delay through
The efforts of his friends and counsel. He
was pronunced guilty, and the stern Cap
tain General ordered the execution to
take place in the open plaza in
front of the prison, so that all the world
might see, the body 10 remain exposed
for 80 many hours in the chair of exc
cutlon. The Spanish execution is by
Earnte.
An execution had not taken place be-
1ore IN years, least of all in public. The
sentence was carried out in this case,
aihowever, ~ ordered, and thrill went net
ienly through Havana, but through all
CubR. Both criminals aud honest men
hpgau 70 feel that authority was some
thing more than fiction in this island.
zNOr did Tacon restrict himself to en-
forcing the law alone. He cleansed, and
in great measure helped to neautify aud
otherwise improve the cities. lie pro-
tectpd travellers on the road, and many
are the stories told Of him IN this regard.
BE ore he left agents and others. who
formerly travelled with their lives in their
hands. could move from place 20 place
with money and yaluables AZ safely a.
esthouph IN the precincts Of the palace. He
heard the claims Of all who appealed 10
him, however humble, aud against per
SONS however rich ard powerful. One in
stance Of this Kind reads Ike romance,
vat a. ~ hard unatfar IF