New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-25

Autonomy WITH A STRING.
GOOD AND BAD FEATURES OF THE
NEW SPANISH OFFER TO CUBA.

TOO MUCH pIcrAToRIAL POWER LODGED IN THE
HANDS OF THE GovERNoR-GENERAL-
THE FINANCIAL AND JUDICIAL
SCHEMES OBJECTIONABLE.
The full text OF the Spanish royal decree OF
November 25 last. granting autonomous form
Of government to the islands OF Cuba and Porto
Rico has been received in this country 1t Is a
long document. the main points OF which loi-
low:
The system of government and civil adminisrs-
ton In the islands OF Cuba and Porto RICO shaii
hereafter be carried on conformity with the fol-
lowing provisions:
Each island shall be governed by an insuar par
lament consisting Of two chambers. and by the
Governor General representing the mother country
who shall exercise supreme authority
The legislative power as TO colonial matters N
the shape and manner prescribed by law shall DO
vested in the nsular Chambers conformity with the
Governor General.
Insuar representation shall consist OF two bodies
of equal powers which shall. be known as Cham-
Der of Representatives and Council OF Administra-
ton.
The Council Of Administration shall be composed
OF thirty-five members OF whom eighteen shall be
elected and seventeen appointed by the "o'e'hoi-
Genera. acting for the crown
To be entitled to sit in the Council OF Admins
necessary w
have attained the age of thirty-hve years; 10 haVo
been horn I'm the island. to have had four years
constant residence therein not to be subject 10 any
pending criminal prosecution: TO be IN the iui GIL
joyment of his political rights; to nave MS prop
erty free from attachment; to have had for two or
more years previous an annual income OF |ioW' 10
have no interest in any contract with either inc
insular or the home Government. The shareholders
of a stock company shall not be considered as Gov
eminent contractors even II the company mas
contract with the Government.
Persons are a:so qualified to serve as Counciilo"
who besides the above-stated requirements nave
any of the following qualifications;
First To be- or 20 have been. a Senator OF tho
Kingdom, or to possess the requirements for being
Senator IN conformity with Article III OF tho Con-
sttution.
Second-To have held for period OF two years
any OF the following Offices: President OF rrose-
cutting Attorney Of the Pretoran Court OF Havana
Rector of the University of Havana, Councillor OF
Administration In the Council, formerly thus desis-
mated president OF the Havana Chamber or COM
merce president OF the Economic Society OF friends
of the Country. president OF the sugar Planters
Association. president OF the Tobacco Manuiact-
urers' Union president OF the Merchants Trades
mems and Agricuturists' League. dean Of the Col
lege OF Lawyers OF Havana. Mayor OF Havana
President OF the Provincial Assembly or Havana
during two terms. or OF any provincial assembly
during three terms. and dean Of either OF the
Chapters OF the two Cathedrals
Third-Likewlse may he elected or appointed as
Councillor any property owner from among the hfty
taxpayers paying the highest taxes either on real
estate or on industries. commerce. arts and the
professions.
The Councillors appointed by the Crown shall be
appointed by special degrees. stating the quaiinca-
ton emitting the appointee to serve as Councillor.
Councillors thus appointed shall hold Office for
life
Onehalf the number Of elective Councillors sha!
be elected every FIVE years; and the whole number
shall be elected whenever the Council OF Admins
traton shall be dissolved by the Governor-GeneraL
CHAMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Chamber OF Representatives shall be COM
posed OF members named by the electoral ooards
In the proportion OF one for every twenty-five 'ho"-
sand Inhabitants.
To be elected as Representative the candidate
must have the following requirements: TO Do
c,.n,sb citizen. 10 be a layman: to have attained
his nsiority; TO be In full enjoyment OF civil rights
70 have been horn In the island or TO nave hao
four years constant residence therein. AND not 10
be subject to any pending criminal prosecution
representatives shall be elected every Ave years
and any Representative may be reelected any
number Of times.
tn. ,nsuIar Chamber shall determine what
classes OF Offices are incompatible with the office
OF Representative as well as tho cases governing
reelection. - -
The Chambers will meet every year. Tho KIM
the General acting In his name shall con-
vene suspend and sojourn the SESSIONS ana u,'
solve the Chamber OF Representatives. and mo
Council OF Administration. either separately or
simultaneously under the obligation 10 call them
together again renew them within three months
Each Chamber shall choose Its president vice.
president and secretaries .
Neither Chamber shall sit unless tho other o. 81
ting also except when the Council exercises judicial
functions.
The two insular Chambers shall rot deliberate TO-
gether nor in the presence Of the Governor-Genera
The sessions shall be public, but either Chamber
NAV hold secret sessions whenever business OF
private nature sh Ill require II
To the Governor General. through his secretaries
az we'll as TO either OF the two Chambers. belongs
the power to initiate and propose colonial statutes
Resides the power Of enactins laws for the colony
the Insular Chambers shall have power:
First-ro receive the oath Of the Governor-Gen-
eral TO preserve the Constitution and tho laws
which guarantee the autonomy OF the colony
Second-To enforce the responsibility OF the secre-
taries Of the Executive who shall be tried oy the
Council whenever impeached by the Chamber OF
Representatives.
TbirdTo address the Home Government through
the Governor General. proposing the abrogaton or
modification Of existing laws OF the kingdom' u
invite the Home Government to present bills as 10
particular matters. or to ask decision OF an eA-
ecutve character matters which interest," ths
colony.
The Governor-General shall communicate to tho
Home Government before presenting TO the lnsuhr
Parliament any bill originating In the Executive
Government OF the island. whenever III MS JUG
ment said bill may affect national interests Should
any such bill originate in the Insuar Parliament
the Government Of the island shall ask for post
ponement Of the debate until the Home Government
shall have given its opinion.
In either case. the correspondence passing be-
tween the two Governments shall be laid before the
Chambers and published in the official gazette
The lnsuar Chambers shall have power to pass
upon all matters not specially and expressly re-
served 10 the Cortes OF the kingdom. to the CEN
tral Government. herein provided or as may be
provided hereafter
In this manner and without implying that the
following enumeration presupposes Limitation OF
lenisIate slhiecis they shall