The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-02-06
THE REFORMS IN CUBA
Promises Made by Spain to the
Dissatisfied Islanders.
NOT AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT.

But the Powers of the Spanish Governor
General Are Greatly CurtaiIed and the
Government Practically Placed in the
Hands Of a Cuban Council.
Madrid. Feb. 6.--The official gazette
to-day prints The full scheme of Cuban
reform as approved by the queen re-
gent in a formal decree. The decree is
in substance as follows:
The municipalities and assemblies Of
the six provinces of the island of Cuba
will enjoy all the liberties compatible
with the laws and the respect of indi-
vidual rights.
The assemblies win have the right
to elect It's presidents. In each assem-
bly, there win be an executive commit
tee, elected by the assembly, every six
months, and its president will be elect
ed by said committee.
The mayors and deputy mayors will
be elected by the municipalities from
among the members. They win exer-
else, without limitation, the active
functions of the municipal admins
tration as executors of the decisions
Of the municipalities.
The provincial assemblies will have
AAAt AA5AAA ~ 9AoBNAA0 AAG 0GNA9AphO - NAAN
municipalities when they go beyond
the limits Of the municipal rights,
but in this case the municipalities will
have the right Of appeal to the highest
court of the province.
The provincial assemblies will have
large powers in matters Of taxes, in
accordance with the general and local
system of taxation. The appropriations
for the provinces and municipalities
will be separately made.
The governor general and the civil
governors Of the provinces win only
have right of Intervention in matters
of public instruction TO assure the full
fllment of the general laws and COM
patibility Of the municipal and pro-
vincial appropriations with the ex-
penses of those establishments.
The council of administration Of the
island will be composed of thirty-fve
councillors, t%wenty-one Of whom will
be elected directly by the people. Nine
others will be the presidents of the
University of Havana, the Havana
Chamber Of Commerce and the presi-
dents of certain industrial and educa-
tional associations, one representing ali
the trades associations of Havana, two
designated among the taxpayers OF
the province of Havana, and the other
five viii be senators or Representatives
to the oortes who have been elected
by the island of Cuba in a greater
number Of general elections.
The governor general will be hon
orary president of the council and the
actual president will be nominated by
the governor general from among the
members of the council. The members
of the c%ortes, during their term, can.
not be councillors of administration.
In order to be elected councillor, it is
necessary to have the same qualidca.
tions as are required to be deputy t.
the c%ortes, and it Is necessary to have
resided two years in the island.
The cortes will determine the amount
of the expenses of sovereignty Gmpe-
rial expenses) and will determine the
total of the budget. Only in the cas-.
Of the council Of administration mo-
having approved and voted by the
first of July, the taxes and revenue.
necessary to meet the budget approved
by the cortes, the governor genera
Will decree them with the advice of thu
intendente.
The council Of administration will
fix all rules for the application of Gus.
tom duties, viii decide what is mos
convenient regarding taxes on exports
and will fix or modify the fiscal du.
ties for revenue on importations in tn,
island.
National products directly imported
to Cuba will enjoy indispensable pro
lection, taking into consideration tina.
the taxes on foreign products will b,
for revenue only; taxes for revenu,
established by the council of admin.
~istration will be applied alike to for
eign n to national products; take.
on exports will be equally levied an
viii not be dif|ferentiaI, but it will b
possible to except from the rules tn,
direct exports of Spain for home con
sumption; no prohibition on export
viii be imposed pom products directl.
exported for home consumption il
Spain.
The council Of administration will b.
consulted over the ACCESSIBILITY of ne
gotiating commercial treaties and con
ventions, which it is the intention o
the government to negotiate, n thi
will be d'.2 before the final drafting
of the treCty and it's presentation 70.
approval Of the cortes.
Governmental employees must be Gu
ban born or peninsulars, who have re
sided at least two years in the island
These appointments viii be made b,
the governor general, with the advic
and consent of the council Of admins
t%ration, and with regards to the lega
and proper qualifications Of the nomi
nees.
From this rule are only excepted tn
secretary general ~intendente, comp
t%roller, director Of local admlnistra
] ill., IF-a.A-- - 800 -H