The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-01-01
SPAIN phEDGEA,c
CUBAN REFORMS
The Form of Autonomy Promised to
Porto Rico.
CUBA MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT
If the Insurgents Are willing TO Rely
Upon Spanish Promises A Provincial
Assembly Which Shall Enact
Legislation For Local
Government

WAsHEe ~ Jan Tho form Of au
tonomy WI Spain is willing to grant &c
Cuba was decided upon in Madrid yester.
day at o council Of the ministers presided
over by the queen regent The decree still
lacks the official Endorsements of the
cortes, but this, tits believed, will be easily
obtainable whom conditions have reached
such point that the Spanish authorities
believe the reforms can be introduced in
Cuba without disturbance and turmoil
from any discontented factions This in-
formation reached the Spanish legation
last night, and Minister de LONE was au-
thorized to make public the concessions
agreed upon. These reforms are 20 go into
effect Immediately in Porto Rico. and are
announced in the desire TO promulgate
them as a New Years gift to the citizens
Of Porto Rico
These same measures of relief, it is said
will be announced in Cuba SO soon as the
pacitication of the island is such that the
reforms can be brought about without
such revolt as would now be caused by
the insurgents It is claimed that should
the rebelltous portions of the island indf-
cate their willingness to accept the sys-
tenn OF home rule suggested by Spain, and
cease the insurrection that the reform
Immediately would go into effect Though
the decree announced is intended at pres
ent for Porto Rico alone, when thev are
effected In Cuba they will be on an en-
larged scale, and Porto Rico also will be
favored with the larger rights allowed
! Cuba Friends of the Spanish legation
here state that these reforms were not
brought about by the internediation of
L
today
"The reform law was voted by the oortes
in February 1895. 1t was accepted then
by the Autonomist party, and received
unanimous vote in the party. Among the
voters were such conspicuous Autonomists
as Mentro, Giberga Labra, Ferry, Fer
nando and Gonzales, all Cubans The
leaders of the Autonomist party of Porto
Rico have been in Madrid this winter and
the royal decree entirely meets with their
approval. What has been printed as n new
plan of reform is nothing but the law of
1895 published by the Spanish legation in
May last in the pamphlet entitled Span
ish Rule in Cuba.
The restrictions on the appointment
OF councillors are not against the people,
but restriction of the powers Of ~.
government. Nearly al = 90 be taken I
from ne95fs or have been prominenI IL
the busine community, or are among
the principal taxpayers-- Enrique Veronh,
tho membeE. nf-JIne New York iunta, and
eyeR-Pu0ple now in the field, could be ap-
pointed councillor by the crown, and of
course elected.
"Ihe object Of the reforms in Cuba and
Porto Rico is to transfer to the council Of
administration of each island powers .
which hitherto have been attributions of .
the government officials and exercised in .
Madrid, The reforms as announced state .
that this council of administration is to .
be composed in the case Of Porto Rico Of .
six provincial assemblymen of the region .
in which the next biennial elections shall .
take place and councillors appointed by .
the supreme governments
''The councillors appointed by the gov
ernment must be qualified as follows To
be- or to have been, president of a cham
Der of commerce Of the Economic Society
of Friends of the Country, or the Associa-
tion Of Agriculturists; director of the Iu-
stitute of San Juan or dean of the corpora
tions of lawyers Of Juan de Porto Rico
TO be- or to have for four years previously,
one Of the fifth principal taxpayers Of the
island; to have been senator or repre-
sentative to the cortes in two or more
legislatures; to have been elected two or
moro times president Of the provincial
assembly, or two years mayor of San Juan
de Porto Rico.
"The council is to deliberate upon the
general estimates Of expenditures and rev.
enues Of these islands; upon the general
accounts which the finance department of
theisland must present annually within
the six months following the end of the
financial year; upon the removal or sus-
pensions of mayor or aldermen, and upon
the petitions for legislative reforms that
emnnate from from the provincial assem-
bly,
"Ihe provincial assembly is to consist
Of twelve assemblymen, six from each re-
gion, with terms Of Office Of four years.
The election to dll the vacant seats is to
take place every two years, the region Of
San Juan voting at one election and the
region of Ponce atanother. The provincial
assembly to elect its own president to
judge of the elections, returns and quail
hcGtions Of the assomblymen and to de-
eide all questions referring to its own or
ganization under the law.
"Only the supreme court of the island
shall have jurisdiction over the appeals
from the decisions Of the provincial as
sembly in these questions.
"The provincial assembly shall resolve
I'm accordance with the laws and regula-
tions, whatever it may deem proper for
the management i'm tho whole island of
public works posts and telegraphs, rail-
ways and navigation, agriculture, manu-
features, trade, immigration and colonial
ton, public instruction. charities and the
health departments.
Although the budget for tho island
must be finally voted 10y the Spanish par
lament, the Antilles send a numerous
and powerful representation TO the cortes
enjoying in this respect great advantage
over the English colonies"
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