The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-27
FORMULATING A SYSTEM
Plans Made for Discussing the
Cuban Constitution.
Five Sections of Six Delegates to
Consider the Propositions Sep
nrntcly To Report to "a Central
mmittec-ProPosnl to Prepare nm
Answer to General Wood Rejected.

HAVANA. Nov. 26.-It was decided to-
day at the meeting of the constitutional
convention to divide the body into five
sections of six delegates each. These sec
tons will discuss separately whatever
propositions are presented by the dele
gates for Incorporation into the constitu-
ton. They will not begin their work for
eight days in order to allow the dele
gates to prepare their propositions.
A member of each section will be ap-
pointed to form a central committee to
draw up the final project which will be
discussed by the whole convention. The
time allowed the central committee to
submit the draft of a constitution has not
yet been fixed. Senores Sanguily and
Llorrente we're appointed committee to
revise the phraseology Of the constitution.
committee of five was appointed to con-
slider questions Of interior government.
Senior Quesada proposed that the mo-
ton of Ruis Rivera regarding a vote of
praise and thanks to General Lee be de-
clared out OF order and that 1t be rejected.
This was done by an almost unanimous
vote. The delegates explain their action
by saying that there is considerable feel
ing against General Lee in the conven-
tion. Gualberto Gomez asked the conven-
tion to authorize discussion Of the an
swer to General Woods speech opening
the convention. which answer Senor Co
mez offered to draw up.
Senior Sanguily said that an answer to
General Wood would be out of place, and
dangerous in that 1t might affect the good
relations between the convention and the
intervening Government. He added that
General Woods speech was not message
that required an answer, but military
order. 1t would be far better to let we'll
enough alone. He proposed that the con-
vention decide not to answer the speech
under any circumstances. and the PROPOSE
ton was adopted by vote of % to 5.
The convention then adjourned.
Gualberto Gomez was very angry over
the defeat of his proposal, and he created
considerable disturbance. He said the
rights OF the delegates had been curtailed,
and that the convention had been influ-
enced by the fear that an answer to the
speech would give rise to friction with
the intervening Government. The dele
gates had shown cowardice. The pro-
posed answer would have been most mild
and polite.
between Gomez and Sanguily was entirely
unexpected. 1t was predicted that these
two would combine and dominate the con-
vention. but they appear now to be in
complete disagreement.
Senior Cisneros has obtained a months
leave of absence from the convention.
Senior Nunez. Civil Governor of Havana,
has sent a report to Senior Tamayo. Sec
rotary of State, regarding irregularities
in the conduct of the municipality of Ha-
vana. He says that after General Ludlow
left Cuba it was expected the municipali-
ty would be governed according to the
municipal law. This has not happened,
and the municipality has been governed
according to its own caprice without au-
thority of law. The municipality admits |
some appeals against its decisions ca
priciously. while it ignores others.
1t has prepared no budget this year. and |
has been otherwise derelict in its duties. |
Senior Nunez asks what guarantee any |
will have that his conces- |
sion will be respected by the successor of |
the present municipality when the pres
ent officials, in granting the concession,
have not conformed with the terms of the |
law now in force. He adds that these de-
linquencies might give rise to interna-
tional complications in cases where the |
are foreigners.