The sun., 1900-08-05
CASE AGAINST RATHB0NE.
CHARGE MAY BE CULPABLE NEGLI-
GENCE Nv PUBLIC SERVICE.
Punishable Under the spanish Code Protest
Of the Municipality Of Havana Against the
Decree Extending the Limits Of Taxation
Tho Injunction Against Gen. Wood.

Punishable Under the spanish Code--Protest
Of the Municipality Of Havana Against the
Decree Extending the Limits Of Taxation
Tho Injunction Against Gen. Wood.
Special Gable Despatch 10 THE sun.
HAVANA, Aug. t-Evidence TO prove culpabls
negligence on the part OF ex-Director Of Posts
Rathbone Is being handed daily TO the Judge,
who will probably order proceedings 10 be
taken under Sections +02 and 4os Of the Spanish
Penal Code which refer to the culpability and
negligence Of persons In the public service.
Az meeting OF the Municipality OF Havana
II was decided to send petition to President
Mckinley asking him to order the repeal Of the
decree empowering municipalities to levy taxes
up to certain limits. These limits. It Is said,
are higher than the previously existing rates
Of taxation. 1t Il argued that the island al
ready has a surplus from custom receipts and
that this money should be apportioned among
the municipalities according TO population in
this way avoiding increased local taxes on I'm
poverished neighborhoods.
This protest appears strange, coming from
the municipal officials elected by the national
party whose great cry has been to decentralize
municipal government and give the municipal
tiles local autonomy. One Councilman cp-
posed the motion on the ground that as the
law was general for the whole island. It was
not right for the municipality OF aavana to
protest. and. further. that IL any protest were
made. II should be put forward by the taxpay-
ers. he also said that the municipality was
not compelled by the decree TO levy increased
taxes. but was simply empowered to do 50 at
its own option
This attempt on the part Of one small body
20 voice the opinion Of the whole island Is some
thing very common In Cuban politics The
first act OF the present municipality was to pro-
pose that the Cuban army should DO paid
1t IL also remembered that attempts have
been made from time to time by party con-
ventions In Havana 10 draw up rules which
should bind all branches OF each particular
party throughout the island As matter
OF fact, rents have risen 10 such an extent
In Havana that house owners are able to pay
far higher proportionate rate Of taxation.
However. the municipality Is not bound to
exact the limit Of taxation under tho decree
All the American troops that are not con-
sidered necessary In Pinar del Rio, Havana,
and provincial stations, have been ordered
70 the outskirts
The Injunction secured byContraotor Michael
Dady against Governor General Wood on ac-
count OF certain contracts which have been
declared invalid is regarded here as absurd
II is argued that the Attorney General Of the
United States has ruled that the Cuban courts
had jurisdiction In the case Of the murder OF an
American soldier in Cuba. The same otfcial
also ruled that the Cuban courts were supreme
In matters affecting Cuba. Besides this the
charter will not he adopted by any order OF the
Governor General but will bs accepted through
the free viii Of the City Council The proposed
charter does not in any way interfere with
vested or acquired rights.