The times., 1900-12-18
NO PROJECT YET READY.
The Cnban ConstitutionnI ConveE-
tion sim Working in Sections.


HAVANA. Dec 1.-THE constitutional
convention continues its work in the sew
eral sections. but it has not been able to
carry outsits rules regarding the holding
OF meetings every eight days owing to
the sections not being ready with bases
Tor a constitution to present for the con-
sideration. Of the delegates. II has been
decided to do as much discussion as POS
sible in the sections in order that when
the time comes to discuss the final project
in public session heated debates may be
avoided.
a committee of FIVE is drawing up the
final project. Senior Quesada, who is a
member of this committee. is absent in
the United States, and the fear is ex-
pressed that Senor Rivera the president
OF the committee, himself the author OF
project for constitution, will endeavor
to introduce as much as possible of his
own ideas into the project which the COM
mittee will present for final discussion.
The friends of Gen. Maxine Gomez are
using their influence to have a clause in
serted providing that anyone who fought
in the war shall be eligible for the Presi-
dency. new paper has been started here.
in which the principal opponents CT this
clause are described as enemies OF Gen
eral Gomez. Some of the delegates who
are endeavoring to introduce such clause
declare that they are doing so as mat
ter of principle and that General Gomez
does not enter into the question. The
general opinion is. however, that those
who vote for the introduction of the clause
will do so because they desire General
Gomez to become President.
The delegates hold various opinions re-
sarding the relations to exist between
Cuba and the United States. Some of them
say the United States cannot get on with
out Cuban sugar. and thai Cuba. there
fore. has a natural advantage in the ques-
tion OF treaties. They add that in the event
of the sugar bounties being removed in
Europe the Americans would not pay an
extra price for European sugar, but would
force the Administration to admit Cuban
sugar. These delegates take as the basis
of their opinion that Cuban sugar cannot
be shut out of the United States.
The delegates say they do not want an
army and navy. They expect thousands of
Porto Ricans to settle in Cuba directly
the Republic is established. They also
think that numbers of Filipinos will come
here. 1t is possible there will be no pub
lie session of the convention until after
New Year Day. Tie question of the suf-
frage Is much debated. Gauibert Gomez
SHbStStS ttltI lne UrSt eitCiiOUS LOT q Ou-
ban Government be held under General
Woods election law. and the subsequent
elections as the Legislature may direct.
General Wood has returned from Ma
tanzas. He says it is probable that
landing stage will be constructed at
cost of $250000. This would allow ships
to come alongside the stage. there being
twenty-five feet of water where il is pro-
posed to construct it.
The teachers of Havana are somewhat
agitated regarding the future of Super
intendent Frye and his fiance, who is
Cuban. The interest in the matter led
to the idea of asking General Wood to
appoint Mr.. Frye commissioner of schools
instead of Senor Borrero. Cuban, but
this plan has been dropped.
The fight over the sewering and paving
contract continues and MIR. Dady again
has seventeen votes supporting him to five
against him. Tonight the conditions for
letting the contract as drawn up by
special committee OF the municipality
were approved by large majority. These
conditions give Mr.. Dady the right of
tanteo. and virtually make competition
against him impossible. A committee was
appointed to ask Mr.. Dady if he would
reduce the amount of his bid from sioe00.-
600. The mayor opposed giving Mr. Dady
the right of tanteo. claiming that he was
not entitled to II.