The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-07


charter. and 10 invite new projects OF
law or executive measures in the inter-
est OF the colony
Besides It's local powers, It is-eompe-
tent, FIRST, 10 regulate electoral regis
tration and procedure and prescribe the
qualifications OF electors and the man
ner OF exercising suffrage; second, TO
organize courts Of Justice with native
Judges from members OF the local bar;
third To frame the insular budget both
as 90 expenditures and revenues, with
out limitation OF any kind, and to set
apart the revenues 10 meet the Cuban
share OF the national budget, which
latter viii be voted by the national
Cnrtes with the assistance Of Cuban
senators and deputies, fourth, 10 initi-
ate or take part In the negotiations OF
the national government for cOmmer-
cipl treaties which may affect Cuban
interests; ilfth, To accept or reject COM
mercial treaties which the national gov
eminent may have concluded without
the participation OF the Cuban govern-
ment; sixth, to frame the colonial tariff,
actlng In accord with the penlnsular
government in scheduling articles OF
mutual commerce between the mother
country and the colonies, Before intro
duclnB or voting upon bill. the Cuban
government or the chambers will lay
the project before the central govern
ment. and hear Its opinion thereon, all
the correspondence IN such regard be-
ing made public Finally, all conflicts
OF Jurisdiction arising between the diff
ferent municipal, provincial and insu-
lar assemblies, or between the latter
aud the insutar executive power, and
which from their nature may not he
refefrable 10 the central government
for decision, shall be submitted to the
courts.
REFORMS ENTERED UPON,
That The government OF sagasta has
entered upon course from which re-
cession with honor Is impossible can
hardly be questioned; that in the few
weeks It has existed 1t has made earnest
of the sincerity Of its professions, is III
deniable. / shall not impugn Its sim
eerlty, nor should ImPatieHce be suf-
fered TO embarrass 1t In the task II has
undertaken. II Is honestly due to Spain
and to our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given reasonable
chance to realize her expectations and
to prove the asserted efficiency OF the
new order Of things 70 which she stands
irrevocabIy committed She has re-
called the commander whose brutal or
ders inhamed the American mind and
shocked the civilized world. she has
modified the horrible order of concen-
tration. and has undertaken TO care for
the helpless and permit those who de-
sire to resume the cultivation OF their
fields to-do so and assures them of the
protection Of the Spanish government
in their lawful occupations She has
Just released the Competitor prisoners
heretofore sentenced to death, and who
have been the subject of repeated dip
lOmatic correspondence during both this
and the preceding administration.
Not single American citizen Is now
In arrest or confinement In Cuba, Of
whom this government has any knowl-'
edge The near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition Of
q righteous peace, juswallke TO the Gu
bans and TO Spain, as well as equitable
TO all our interests so intimately In
volved in the welfare of Cuba, Is likely
to be attained, II not, the eNiSency OF
further and other action by the United
States Will remain to be taken When
that time comes that action vii, be de-
ternfned tn the line OF iHdlsputahle
right and duty. It will be faced, With
out mIsgiving or hesltancy In the light
OF the obligation this government owes
to itself. to the people who have con-
iided to 1t the protection of their inter-
ests and honor, and to humanity.
Sure OF the right, Keeping free from
all oftense ourselves, actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion, nor selfish
ness. the government viii continue Its
watchful care over the rights and prop
erty OF American citizens and Will
ahate none of It's efforts TO bring about
b. peaceful agencies peace which
shall be honorable and enduring, II It
shall hereafter appear to be duty i'm
posed by our obligations to ourselves.
to civilization and humanity TO inter
venc with force. It shall be without
fault on our part, and only because the
necessity for such action Will be 50
clear rs to command the support and
approval OF the civilized world.