The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1890-04-10

loss Of about forty per cent
! The Spanish authorities are indifferent
to the sanitary condition of Havana, as
some of the flty streets indicate. Much
Of the refuse is emptied into the bay and
yellow fever is the result from May on.
The cutting of q canal froni one bay to the
other, allowing the Gulf current, to flow
through and carry of the 9Th that is daily
emptied into the bay, would soon make
Havana one Of the healthiest, as she is one
Of the fairest, cities on the globe. But
dredging neglected, this repository of filth,
under the hot sun of June and July,
breeds disease and death.
The Cubans very naturally hate and
despise the rule of the Spanish govern
ment. They are anxious for annexation
to United States. Whether annexation
would be wise on the part of the United
States is questionable. The present enor-
nous debt would have to be assumed or
repudiated. To pay the debt would make
the purchase costly one, although by
right of location the Island ought to
belong to this government, which would
| develop its rich resources by the confidence
good government would inspire in the
minds of capitalists, who are now afraid to
invest there owing to apprehended confs>
cation and heavy taxation
The Cuban rebellion of 1871, resulted in
the adjustment of slavery, compromise
act, and although the Cubans acquiesced
in action they did not do SO in mind, and
another uprising may take place unless
the iron>hand of the despot is lifted.
There is good deal of social equality
practiced there, and the intermarrying OF
Spaniards, negroes and Cubans, is a com.
mon thing. The infux of such a corrupt
mass of voters would make annexation
Objectionable, when it is remembered that
the perpetuity Of our Republican form OF
government is founded upon the intelli.
gence and virtue of the people. The
enforcement of United States laws in
Cuba would be so averse to their present
indulgences and customs, in which they
have been schooled, that open antagsnism
might be the result for while. For in
stance the suppression of the lottery
mania the enforcement of the proper
observance Of the Sabbath, now totally
disregarded, trading and traffcing, cock
and bull fights, would prove distasteful
to the Cubans,as certainly their customs in
the matters named would be distasteful to
the Christianity and civilization of the
United States.
! But among the better class of Cubans,
nowheae will you find more polite and
accommodating people. They are strictly
business and take pleasure in doing one a
service.
On the Sunday we were in Havana, a
placarded wagon, illustrated with bovine
paraded the streets. with band of music
announcing that bull fight would take
place at certain place and hour that
afternoon. We did not attend, but we
were informed by some OF our party who
did, that it was most disgusting, sickeA-
ing and cruel sight, although it was an
amateur affair. The bull was goaded
to madness by the Haunting of red flags
and lacerated by sharp. pointed spears,
and when he would show fight, sword was
run through his heart, entering the back of
his neck near his shoulders. The sword was
left driven to the hilt until the bull fell
from the loss of blood and died. 1t took
the death Of four bulls to satisfy the
amusement loving crowd who witnessed the
barbarous spectacle. A cock fight took
place Sunday morning, and the theatres
were in full blast at night.
One is impressed by observation that
the religion of the people there needs ele-
waiting. Their chiefest pleasures are eat
ing, drinking, gambling, riding and smok
ig. All smoke-men, women and boys
None chew, it being difficult to purchase
tobacco in Havana.
The lottery craze is absolutely annoying
to visitors. Men, women and boys, are on
the streets, every day, peddling lottery
tickets. Its decentralization is apparent in
the seedy apparel of the vendors and the
numerous beggars on the streets.
On Sunday morning we attended the
Catholic cathedral, a very fiue and costly
edifce. 1t was palm Sunday and the servi>
ces were conducted by the Bishop and an
army of assistants. At night we attended
the Baptist church, and heard sermon in
English by Rev. J. w. Burke, of Macon,
of our party. The audience. of course
was Spanish speaking people, and the pas
tor, Rev Mr.. Diaz. translated the sermon
by sentences as delivered. Mr.. Diaz is a
Cuban, converted from the Catholic to
the Baptist faith He has in four years of
missionary work been instrumental in
converting and baptizing 1882 persons. A
large theatre has been bought for $65. 600
and converted into a church 1t is said
Georgians are paying for this church edi.