Evening journal., 1898-01-04
THE CUBAN CABINET
Powers Granted to the New
Autonomist Ministry.
LIST OF EACH MEMBERS DUTIES
Blanoo 20 Have Conduct of Affairs BE.
tween Spain and Cuba, While Pre-
mier Galvez VIII Look After
the IsIand,s General Policy.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The large
measure OF authority conferred on the
new Cuban cabinet is shown in an off,
cial decree issued at Havana Dec. %,
copies Of which have been received by
the Spanish legation. The document
apportlons the budget Of the island,
giving TO each cabinet officer the
amount 70 be spent in his department.
and then states In detail what subjects
are to be managed by each minister
The first provision states the powers
which Governor General Blanco and
his secretary general; DIR. Congosto, will
continue to exercise. as follows: The
conduct Of general affairs between
Spain and Cuba, intercourse with diplo-
matte and consular officers of foreign
governments, census of foreigners,
public peace and order, honors and dec
orations and relations with the church.
With these excepted powers. the en-
tire administration of the affairs of the
island are turned over to members Of
the cabinet. Each member is author
ized TO select an assistant secretary and
70 employ his own staff of assistants.
The authority of each cabinet officer is
then specified as follows:
The premier, Senior Galvez, directs
the general policy of the island, confers
with the other ministers and is the ex-
ecutive head Of the organization. the
detailed work being left to the other
ministers.
The minister of justice and interior,
SenOr Gown, has charge of affairs re-
lating to the courts and judicature, ap-
pointment of marshals and other court
officers. lails and penitentiaries; mu-
inequalities provincial deputations. To-
'cal police public charity, charitable in
stitutions. ETC.; public health, asylums,
etc. the press and theaters
The minister of finance. Senior Mon
toro, has control Of all affairs relating
20 the customs Of the island, appoint
mont Of customs officers conduct Of the
treasury, disbursement of public mon
ey, etc.
The minister of public instruction.
Senior Zayas. has charge of the Univer-
sity Of Havana, all colleges, professional
schools and other institutions in which
the control is not reserved to the prov
ince or municipality.
The minister of public works and tele-
graph. Senior Dolz, has control of the
postofIices and telegraph system, rail-
roads. ports and lightships, public build
ings and grounds.
The minister of commerce. Senor Rod
riguez, has charge of agriculture, pat
ents and copyrights. banks and cham
bers Of commerce, public forests and
mining.
This division Of duties will continue
until the Cuban legislature meets and
establishes by law the exact duties of
the various cabinet officers. II was de-
sired to have the cabinet begin work at
once. so that without waiting for the
! legislature the decree established the
| system until the law Is made. The
| Spanish minister regards the decree as
! fully carrying out the plan of turning
over the internal affairs of the island to
/ Cuban officials AS indicating this the
minister points out that the decree re-
serves 20 the governor general only
those general questions which relate di-
rectly to Spain or to her intercourse
with the colony, while all the internal
affairs. such as customs, prisons. etc.
are conducted by Cuban officials with
their own staffs of assistants.