The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-06

proposed reforms for Cuba and Porto
Rica approved by the queen regent will
be promulgated tomorrow in the Official
Gazette. The ministry regard them
| as being as comprehensive measure
of home rule as can be granted under
existing conditions. 1t is stated that
some of them infringed so much upon
the rights belonging to the ministry in
regard to the colonies that it will be
necessary to submit them to the cortes
before they can be put into effect. The
most striking features of the new re-
forms which have not yet been an
nounced relate to the management of
the finances of Cuba. The council of
administration of 35 members will be
constituted as already announced, of
Il members elected directly by the peo-
pie, chosen from the commercial and
educational societies of Havana, and
8 from the eX-members of the cortes
from Cuba VINO have been elected the
greatest number of times. The coun-
cillOr of administration is given large
powers in regard to the framing of the
tariff and the budget. They are to
frame the tariff, within certain fixed
rules prescribed by the home govern
ment and subject to the condition that
a provisional tariff shall be promui-
gated by the minister for the colonies,
pending the organization of the ma
chinery of the new Cuban government.
The essential condition upon which the
government insists is that the diffen-
ential tariff of not more than 20 per
cent in favor of Spanish products shall
be imposed upon certain articles prin-
cipally articles of Spanish manufac-
ture which are to be named by the gov
ernment. The tariff will consist of two
columns. one being the uniform revenue
rate levied upon the products of all
countries and the other the differential
rate in favor of Spain levied upon GER
tain articles to be named by the gov
ernment but in no case to exceed 20 per
cent OF the value of the article The
proposed reforms deal also with the
question of reciprocity treaties, which
may be made for Cuba, distinct from
treaties relating to Spain, and which
will be framed by the home govern
ment upon consultation with the Gu
ban council of administration. Pro-
visions are also made for the appoint
ment of employees by the governor
general who must be born CubanS or
be Spaniards who have resided at least
two years in the island. These ap-
pointments will be made in most cases
Provision is made for
the extension of the power of the mu-
nicipal governing boards and for the
appointment of municipal judges by the
of the municipalities. The
new reforms are to go into effect as
soon as they have received the ap-
proval of the cortes and as soon as the
state of the island will permit.
THE DECREE AS APPROVED.
The decree approved by the queen
regent is substantially as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
The laws of March Is, 1895. will be am
plifed.
The municipalities and assemblies of the
six provinces of the island of Cuba (Pinar
del Rio, Havana. Matanzas, Santa Clara,
will enjoy all the liberties compatible
with the laws and the respect of indi-
vidual rights.
The assemblies will have the right to
elect their presidents.
In each assembly there will be an exc
cutive committee elected by the assembly
every six months. and it's president will |
be elected by said committee
The mayors and deputy mayors will be |
elected by the municipalities from |
the members. They will eXer- |
else without limitation the functions of |
adminiStrati ton.
The provincial assemblies will have the |
right to suspend the decision of the NUM- |
cipalities when they go beyond the limits |
IF municipal rights. but in this case.
appeal to the highest court of the |
province.
The provincial assemblies will have |
arge powers in matters of taxes, in ac-
,ordance with the general local system |
IF taxation.
The appropriations for the provinces
md municipalities will be separate
COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION.
The council of administration of the |
sland viii be composed of 80 councillors;
4 of them will be elected directly by the |
PRESIDENT of the University of Havana;
he president of the chamber of COM
nerce of Havana: the president of the
economical societies of Havana: the
PRESIDENT of the Planters association, the
PRESIDENT of the Tobacco Manufacturers
lnion, one member representing the
;napter of the cathedrals of Havana. and
# Santiago de Cuba; one representing
III the trades associations of Havana;
Wo designated among the taxpayers of
he province of Havana.
The other five will be senators or
representatives to the cortes.
The encouragement will be honorary
resident of the council. and the actual
resident will be nominated by the gov
rnor-general from among the members
f the council.
In order to be elected councillor it is
ecessary to have the same qualifications
s are required to be deputy to the cortes,
nd it is necessary to have resided two
ears in the island
The cortes will determine the amount
f the expense of sovereignty GmDerial
xpenses) and will determine the total
f the budget. To meet that amount the
ouncil of administration will vote every
ear the laws and revenues necessary
o supply the expenses approved by the
ortes Only in the case of the council
f administration not having approved
nd voted by the first of July the taxes
nd revenues necessary to meet the
udget approved by the cortes, the gov
will decree" them with the
dvice of the intendente.
The council of administration will frame
nd approve the local budget.
POWERS OF THE COUNCIL.
The establishment of educational in
titutions to qualify for governmental
ositions. exceptions for those of the
rmy and the navy will pertain to the
ouncil of administration.
The powers Of the council of administra-
ion. as regards the custom tariff, will
e as follows:
First-It will fix all custom duties.
Second-It will modify the fiscal duties