Evening star., 1898-01-04
CUBAN CABINET POWERS.
Measure of Authority Conferred o
the New Government.

Measure Of Authority Conferred ON
the New Government.
The large measure Of authority con-
ferred on the new Cuban cabinet Is shown
in an official decree issued at Havana De-
cember 29. copies of which have been re-
ceived by the Spanish legation. The docu-
ment apportions the budget Of the island
giving to each cabinet officer the amount
to 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, DR.. Congosto. will con-
Of general affairs between Spain and Cuba
intercourse with diplomatic and consular
officers of foreign governments; census OF
foreigners public peace and order, honors
and decorations. relations with the church.
With these excepted powers, the entire ad-
ministration of the affairs Of the island
are turned over to the members Of the .cabi-
net. Each member is authorized TO select
an assistant secretary and to employ his
own staff Of assistants. The authority CT
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 executive
head of the organization, the detailed work
being left to the other ministers.
The minister of justice and interior, Senior
Gown, has charge of affairs relating 10
the courts and tudicature; appointment OF
marshals and other court officers, jails and
penitentiaries. municipalities provincial
Populations, local police, public charity.
charitable institutions, ETC., public health,
asylums. etc; the press and theaters.
Tie minister of finance, Senor Montoro,
has control of all affairs relating to the
customs Of the island, appointment of Gus
toms officers, conduct of the treasury, dis
bursement of public money, etc.
The minister of public instruction, Senor
Zayas, has charge of the University of
Havana, all colleges, professional schools
and other institutions In which the control
is not reserved to the province or munich
pality.
The minister of public works and tele-
graph, Senior Dolz, has control of the post
office and telegraph system, railroads. ports
and light ships, public buildings and
grounds.
The minister of commerce, Senior Rodri-
guez, has charge Of agriculture, patents
and copyrights, banks and chambers OF
commerce. public forests and mining
This division Of duties will continue un-
til the Cuban legislature meets and es-
tablishes by law the exact duties Of the
various cabinet officers. 1t was desired to
have the cabinet begin work at once, SO
that without waiting for the legislature
the decree establishes the system until
the law is made. The Spanish minister re-
CARDS the decree as fully carrying out the
plan Of turning over the internal affairs
of the island to Cuban officials. AS indi-
eating this. the minister points Gut that
the decree reserves to the governor gen.
eral only those general questions which re-
late directly to Spain, or to her inter-
course with the colony, while all the in
ternal affairs, such as customs prisons
ETC., are conducted by Cuban officials with
their own staff of assistants.