The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-04
POWER OF THE CABINET.
A Synopsis of the Duties Entrusted
to Each Member.

Washington, Jan. 3.--The large measure
of authority conferred on the new Cuban
cabinet is shown in an official decree, is
sued at Havana Dec. 49, copies of which
have been received by the Spanish lega-
ton. The document apportons the budget
of the island, giving 10 each cabinet OFF,
Ger the amount to be spent in his depart
ment, and then states in detail what sub
jects are to be managed by each minister,
The first proposition states that the
powers of Capt. Gen. Blanco and his sec
retary- general, DR.. Congosto, will continue
to exercise the management of the affairs
between Cuba and Spain; the consuls and
diplomatic officers of foreign governments;
censorship of the press; public peace and
order; honors and decorations; relations
with the church.
With these excepted powers the entire
administration of the island is turned over
to the members of the cabinet Each man
is authorized TO select an assistant secre-
tary and to employ his own staff of as
sistants.
The authority of the premier is then
specified as follows:
The premier Senior Galvez, directs the
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, Sc
nor Gown, has charge Of affairs relating
to the cortes and judicature, the appoint
ment of marshals and other court officials.
jails and penitentiaries, municipalities.
provincial deputations, local police. public
charity, charitable institutions, etc, pub
lie health, asylums, etc, the press and
the theaters, etc.
The minister of finance Senor Montoro,
has control of affairs relating to the Gus,
toms of the island, appointment Of GUS
toms officials, conduct of the treasury
disbursement of public money, etc.
The minister of public intruction, Senior
Zayas, has charge of the University OF
Havana, all colleges, professional schools
and other educational institutions IN
which the control is not removed to the
province or municipality.
The minister of public works and tee-
graphs, Senor Dolz, has control of the
postoffice and telegraph system; railroads.
ports and lightshlps; public buildings and
grounds.
The minister of commerce. Senor Rod
riguez has charge of agriculture; patents
and copyrights: banks and chambers Of
commerce; public forests and mining.
This division Of duties will coPtinue un-
til the Cuban legislature meets dnd estab-
fishes by law the exact duties Of the va
rious cabinet officers. 1t was decided to
have the cabinet begin work a. once. so
that without awaiting for the legislature
to decree by law the administration of the
laws could begin.
The Spanish minister regards the decree
as fully carrying out the plans of turning
over the administration of affairs TO the
Cuban officials. In doing this, the minis
ter points out that the decree reserves to
the governor general only those questions
that relate directly to Spain, or to her in
tercourse with the colony, but all the in
ternal affairs, such as customs prisons,
ETC., are conducted by Cuban officials with
their own staff of assistants.