Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-27
TIE NEW CARrET-BAGGEH.

Tho new carpet-bagger has appeared in
Cuba. He is a well-dressed man. He
wears a slick silk hat. a frock coat, and
kid gloves. and on his travels carries
dress-suit case. A very different-looking
fellow he is from his prototype Of 1888
But the difference is in dress mainly.
The animus of both is about the same.
Yes; they are there for the good "A
Cuba. They wish TO develop the mae"
rial resources" OF that wonderful Island.
They would like to build steam and cleo
!. the railways. water-works, gas-works,
pave streets, lay-down sewers, etc. But
frst they need franchises or contracts
So a good deal of bargaining has been go
on between these American capitalists
and the existing municipal governments.
But fearing that this country's name may
be blackenel by their transactions, tie
President has caused an order to be Is
sued by the Secretary OF War declaring
that no such concession or franchise VIII
be held to be good unless approved at
military headquarters.
This Arrangement. We suppose means
that no franchise of consequence viii be
granted until it is referred to Washing
ION. for we doubt if our military COM
manders in Cuba will care to take upon
themselves any responsibility Of this cha
rscter that they can share with the War
Ohice.
The President and Secretary Of War
are TO be commended for wishing TO pre-
vent slippery syndicates from possessing
the persons now in power in the civil
government in Cuba, but they might so
still farther and lay down the rule that
no franchises should be granted until cur
froops have turned the island over to its
own people.
The Cuban cities have been Jogging
Along very contentedly for many years
without what we call modern improve
ments" And so we think all that sort
OF business might well be left them TO
do. after they come into possession Of
their own.
Surprising that our government means
10 keep faith with Cuba. we see no need
OF letting out franchises Of any sort, ex-
cept maybe In some rare cases where
there IS urgent work to be done :hat is
absolutely necessary for the preservation
OF the public health BY pursuing
"hands-off' policy we may avoid great
deal Of scandal Yes; We say leave the
valuable franchises Of Cuba 20 be disposed
OF by the new government OF Cuba. That
would seem to BE- the only practical and
decent way Of dealing with the hordes Of
capitalists, promoters, and carpet-baggers
who are now rushing there.
OF course able lawyers will be employ
ed 10 argue that the projects they have
in view cannot be postponed without de-
triment TO the interests OF the public
But, OF course. we know they can. II
may be said, too, that the old Cuban
Government was asrascally organization,
and that the new ono viii not be much
better in that respect. Wen. that is our
opinion OF them; but pray. what is their
opinion of US. We venture TO say the
new government OF Cuba Will have no
more suspicious trio in its legislative body
than we have In ours In the persons Of
Messrs. Hanna, Plat. and Quay
However, we started out 10Y 10 say
thai the order of this government Ie-
stricting franchises acquired from The
present transitory municipal governments
Is to be commended; but would be more
satisfactory IL IL announced our purpose
10 leave the franchise-granting business
entirely to the new government OF Cuba
Any other course pursued by the United
States would SAVIOR very much OF carpet
bagsery In the South. where lot Of
smart fellows carried off much plumber
and left the southern people all the debts
70 pay.