Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-17
THE HAYTIAN DICTATOR.
Personal Appearance and Manner O
the Ruler Of the Black Republic.

Port-su- Prince Letter New York World
I called on General Legitime at his pri-
vate residence soon after landing at Port-au-
Prince. The black ruler does not occupy the
official residence, or the palace" as the Hay
tians fondly characterize the large, cheap
looking brick and wooden edifice on the Champ
des Armes, which was built Of Yankee mater
ial and stock by the late President Solomon.
The title Of president not having as yet been
conferred legally on Gen. Legitime, he declines
to assume additional honors beyond those Of
his present Office of ''chief Of executive power"
Of the government, and he remains at his pri-
vate residence. The latter is situated on one
Of the horribly filthy streets Of the city, and it
Is but little better in its appearance and sur
roundings than the average Haytian dwelling
house belonging to one Of the shop-keeping
class. On the opposite side Of the street stands
a sort of open booth. The cutters on either
side Of the carriageway are deep, and contain
gently flowing rivulet of foul Shiny water.
Wooden foot bridges in front Of the houses
enable you to pass these noisome cloace.
In the booth reclined or squatted fifteen or
twenty Haytian soldiers especially detailed to
guard the body Of the .'chief of executive
power" The uniform of the Haytian infantry
is Of French design, made of dark blue cloth,
with red collar, cuffs and facings. The kept is
blue and red. Those who were not barefooted.
run down under the long heel. A rusty, ILL
kept Remington rifle, with a belt full of
cartridges, completed the rig Of the infantry of
the Black republic. The soldier who guarded
the front door of General Legitime brought his
piece to the shoulder in an apathetic manner as
passed into the lower hall. A broad flight of
stairs led to an upper hail. out of which a small
room opened. At desk of black walnut,
probably made in Michigan, sat two black gen.
nsmen attired in broadcloth frock coats. They
daA thotr l,,ftx ,nf
taries not anxious to catch the next mail. The
salon, which was beyond the ante-room, was
designated as the place where General Legitime
would receive me. The apartment was about
twenty feet square, high and cool.
When the dictator of Hayti entered I beheld
q tall man, with a face Of the purest African
type. He is as erect as the tall pine of Rod
erick Dhu. and he moves with Gallo ease and
dignity. General Legitime's face is long, the
brow is high and narrow. His hair, which is
now closely cropped, betrays its tendency to
kink despite its short length. His lips are full
and thick and the sclerotics of his eyeballs are
tinged with yellow. His hands are long, slen-
der, and extremely well shaped.
He looks the soldier. On this occasion his
military frOck was Of dark green, without epau-
lettes or gold lace. High top boots of plain
leather came above his knees. A broad-brim-
med black felt hat, without decorations, was
carried in one hand. A rear view suggested
the figure of the late Emperor Frederick of
0ermany as tne crown prince. lake away
Legitime's black hue and you would have rel
markably fine specimen Of a man. Black as he
is, in uniform he is imposing and handsome.
Madame Legitime, who entered with her hus-
band, is a very stout woman of middle age,
who was arrayed in loose blue and white
house gown, and who wore profusion of dia-
mond jewelry. She was mulattO of the cafe
du lat type, and must at one time have been a
very handsome woman. AS the wife of the
head of the Haytian government Nine. Legi-
time is naturally leader of society and very
much courfed