The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-02-08
FEWER PENSION AGENTS
The Number to be Reduced from
Eighteen to Nine,
A LARGE SAVING IN EXPENSES.

Secretary Francis Says That There WIN
be a Gain 60 the Government Of $780,
600 Annualy-Tho Cost Of Paying Pen
sions.
Washington, Feb. s.-"No colony in
the world, with the exceptions of can
ada and New South Wales, viii have
as large measure of liberty as Cuba
will have when the new reform scheme
Is fully developed" said Senior Dupuy
De LONE, the Spanish minister. The
minister had before him the full pro-
tect for the reformation Of the system
Of government Of Cuba as gazetted IN
Madrid Saturday, and had been an
alyzing the document with this result.
He pointed out that under the project
there could no longer be complaint
that the island was governed by Off
cials in Madrid or by people sent from
Spain for the purpose, and that here
after, if the plan Is enforced, the citi-
zens Of Cuba themselves would govern
their island, He answered in advance
the criticism that the government had
undertaken to institute reforms, par
ticularly in the judicial system of the
island, that were beyond it's constitu-
tional powers by the statement that
the preamble to the reform measure
showed that the government especi-
ally stated that it had acted in an an
ticipatory manner in this matter, but
that it pledged itself to submit to the
cortes, which body does have the neces-
sary power to make the changes, the
legislation required to give effect to
that portion Of the reform scheme, and
also to do all in it's power to the
ratification Of its an%ticipatory action.
Looking generally over the scheme,
the minister called attention to ONE Of
the most important features among
the provisions touching the granting
Of electoral franchise. He said that
this would certainly result in a consid-
cradle extension Of the right of suf-
frage in Cuba.
At present Cubans can vote If they
pay a yearly tax amounting to not
less than IS. Now, said the minister,
Spain probably would be willing to go
further and permit persons to vote
even If they did not pay any tax, pro-
vided they could read and write. In
other words, she would scarcely OBJ
ject to a property qualification If the
Cubans themselves desire it. That this
might be the case was supposable
from the fact, as Mr.. De Lone eX-
planned, that a large portion of the in
habitants of the interior of the island,
not numerous, however, were very il
lterate.
That portion of the scheme relating
to the tariff of Cuba the minister re-
garded as of the utmost Importance,
not only to the islanders, but also to
the merchants of the United States
who had trade relations with Cuba OF
enormous magnitude. Under the new
plan, by far the largest number of
dutiable articles were placed in a
column imposing a uniform duty, and
one without discrimination in favor
even of Spain. America and Spain, as
serted the minister, stand on an
equality, therefore, in the contest for
such trade. In case of a small proper
ton Of articles in the second column a
discriminating duty is allowed in IA
vor of Spanish products. This rate OF
discrimination. however. is claimed
not to be excessive.
Senior De LONE could not speak more
positively than did Senior Canovas as
to the date when the reforms win be
inaugurated, but directed attention tt
the statement Of the premier that this
will depend entirely upon the Cuban'
themselves. Doubtless minor amend.
AANAAAe 49, ~ 4fAAAAA 80 ~ AAAN1 -
they are put in a fashion to show tina
they are reasonable and expedient.
In view Of the fact that the reform
scheme a been gazetted in Madrid
the minister consented to make public
the preamble to the document. 1t re
cords the political history of the in.
surrection, which from It's very begin
ming, it says, had a secessionist charac'
ter. One of the causes Of the Insured
ton has been the false idea of Spain'l
weakness, which the insurgents though
= would prevent her subduing it, and an
, other was a distrust Of being able t,
} achieve administrative autonomy b!
I peaceful means.
The preamble says that the war
J with all its errors, has ben rich in Sc
I we're lessons, showing that in the en-,
1 peaceful and constant progress is pref
} cradle to a violent triumph by whom
I soever obtained.
1t says in several paragraphs tina
J although erain has been obliged to de
! lay the application of ample reforms II
the administrative regime, she ha
never abandoned the idea of establish
q ing reforms voted by the cortes.
This important document ends wit
the following paragraph:
1.-THE government has not suficieu
motive to Judge If the time before tn
application of reforms in Cuba an
Puerto Rico viii be short or long, al
D though all the news is satisfactory an
the forecast Of the incoming peac
general. But whatever the condition
may be the government thinks tha
it must be prepared to apply thel
without the slightest delay When I'll
opportunity shall arrive"
Relief in Six Hours.