Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-27
HAYTI AND DOMINGO.
Two Republics in Which the People
Are Vastly Different.
FALSE IMPRESSIONS CORRECTED
About the Latter, Which is an Inviting Field
for Americans.
NO WARS FOR TIE PAST TEN YEARS


Republic Of Hayti as one and the same
country. Hon. H. @. @. Atwood, United
States Consul at San Domingo for the past
eight years, was in town day or two ago,
and in response to question put to him,
said:
Eyes, find that the major portion Of the
people of our country have a very erroneous
impression of San Domingo. San Domingo.
as you we'll know, was discovered by Co
lumbus. Its original name was Hispaniola
or Little Spain. The island was afterward
divided between the French and Spaniards.
The easterly or Spanish portion was two
thirds of the island and was called Quigu-
ALA. 1t was discovered on Sunday, and
so Columbus christened it San Domingo,
after the great saint. In the western or
French section slavery was introduced,
and hence the population was largely made
up of Africans or blacks. Strange to say,
slavery was not introduced to any great
extent in the eastern end of the island. The
native Caribs, or Indians, numbering sew
eral millions, were utilized by the Spaniards
in working the gold mines, building a
walled city and constructing immense forti-
fcations, now to be seen in a perfect state of
preservation at San Domingo City and
many other portions of the republic. Ameri-
can tourists, including several from Boston,
have said to me recently that it is exceed
ingly strange that San, Domingo has re-
NAMED in obscurity, with its splendid relics
of antiquity, which, if generally known,
would bring thousands of Americans who
visit the West Indies. The population OF
the eastern portion, known as
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,
are chiefly descendants of the Caribs and
the Spaniards, making a race in ap-
pearance not unlike the Spaniards them
selves. San Domingo is often taken for
Hayti in speaking of the revolutionary ten
denotes of the latter country. This is a
great mistake. The two peoples are dis
tinct in every particular-in language, Gus
toms and their general department. The
Dominican is kind, hospitable and very
attentive to strangers. You may travel
through the republic, unarmed or without
protection, and the humblest and poorest
man or woman will greet you kindly in
his home and have you partake of whatever
accommodation it affords, and will abso-
lutely refuse any compensation that you
may offer. This is the character the whole
people.
elm their revolutionary upheavals, which
are fast disappearing, life and property are
respected, and especially those Of strangers.
otherwise, except by naturalized Cubans,
Porto Ricans or persons of Spanish ex-
traction, who interfere with the politics of
the country and are malt-eated, and then
appeal to their Governments as having been
outraged. These instances are often pub
lished without any explanation, to the great
detriment of the country. The Spanish
portion of the Dominican republic is Just as
beautiful as nature could have made it.
There is an immense area in almost virgin
state, capable of supporting in luxury and
ease quite 10, ,0o0, 900 of people. The popu-
lation is sparse one, numbering not more
than 100000. It abounds in beautiful
woods, such as mahogany, satin wood, fustic,
etc. There are scarcely any roads or means
of conveyance to have these valuable woods
shipped to foreign countries"
Referring to the Government, Consul At
wood said 1t was very liberal one. 1t is
composed of President, Vice President,
Supreme Court and a National Congress
made up of IL districts The President is
invested with the power to appoint the fol-
lowing Cabinet officers: The Secretary of
Stat. and Interior Police, the Secretary of
State of Foreign Relation, the Secretary of
State of Finance and Commerce, the Secre-
tary of State of Improvement and Public
Work, the Secretary of State of Justice and
Public Instruction and the Secretary of
State of War and Marine. This Cabinet
must be confirmed by the Congress. All
ACTS OF THE GOVERNMENT,
other than laws, are transacted by the Exec
utive power, and each Minister gives a de-
tailed account of the officers of his depart
ment through the President to Congress,
which meets on the 9th of February of each
year and continues in session 80 days. All
contracts and concessions granted by the
Executive power must be submitted to Con-
gress Tor its approval and published in the
official paper. after having received the sig
nature of the Corresponding Secretary Of
State before it can become law. All laws
emanating from Congress. after a third
reading at three distinct meetings, are
forwarded to the President for execution.
If not returned within eight days they be-
come laws. A two-thirds vote of Congress-
will set aside the Executive veto. The Con-
gress is made up of two Representatives
from each province and from each district.
There are six provinces and six districts, or
22 members, who torn the National Con-
gress.
The President, Vice President, members
of the Congress and Judges of the Supreme.
Court are chosen by an electoral college by
primaries in each district. The vote of each
college district is forwarded to the National
Congress, the members of which count the
vote and declare the election.
Every foreigner has, under the Constitu-
tion, the same right to acquire property and
engage in business, without let or hindrance
as Dominican. His property is subject to
the protection Of the Government lust so
long as he does not surrender his national
ity. Aliens may become naturalized after
a residence of one year. by making declara-
ton OF intention to the competent authori-
ties The country has developed rapidly in
recent years, owing to the large amount of
foreign capital which is being invested prin-
cipally by Americans.
There is a great tendency to Americanize
the country. The President is very lib
eral man, and admires the progressive spirit
of the Yankees. He is very soIicitous to
have them come to San Domingo, and offers
every inducement and facility in the way
GRANTING VALUABLE FRANCHISES.
He has given the Bay State Fruit Com
pany, of Boston, of which Mr. William M.
Snow is the President, very profitable con-
cession to develop the fruit trade. This
company has already established a large
plantation, and I am told that the
bananas are now being brought here
on steamships. IF this Company
would increase its capital San Domin-
go would become one of the most impor-
tant fruit producing islands in the West
Indies, on account of proximity to the
United States. Its most distant points
would be about 1000 miles, so you see an
12-knot steamer could make the
trip in six days. The republic is rapidly
being spanned by railroads constructed by
Americans. Mr.. Nathaniel Mckay, New
Yorker, is building an iron bridge across
the Ozama river, connecting San Domingo
City with the historical town of Pagarito.
Mr.. Mckay has the absolute usufruct of the
river for 80 years, which will be a yery
large income upon the capital invested.