The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-23
SESSIONS TO BE PUBLIC.
Decision of Delegates to- the Cuban
| Constitutional Convention

| HAVANA. Nov. 22.-The debate on the
| question of whether its sessions should
be public or private was resumed by the
| constitutional convention today. After
! several passionate speeches an amendment
offered by Senior Delgado that the sessions
be private was rejected by vote of 10 to
TO- The sessions will consequently he
public. except in such cases as provided
! for in the rules quoted in these dispatches
yesterday. - 4..a-
The adoption of public sessions will prob
ably influence the behavior OF many OF the
delegates. EudalGo Tamayo, who is a can
didate for the presidency in arguing that
the sessions should be public. made flow
cry appeal to the people in the galleries,
directing his remarks directly at them. He
said. among other things. that they must
not interrupt by applause, but should justify
the reputation they had for good sense.
The president of the convention called
Senior Tamayo to order. and Instructed him
to address himself to the convention and
not to the galleries. After much quarreling
Senior TamayO apologized.
Senior Aleman spoke In favor OF private
sessions. He said the time would come
when the delegates would have to deal with
delicate subjects. such as the relations be-
tween Cuba and the United States, and
whether the President OF the Republic must
be a native born Cuban. In the latter case
a distinguished personality would be dis
cussed. meaning Gen. Maxine Gomez. who
is native of San Domingo. Much ILL
feeling would be prevented by holding pri
vate sessions.
The convention adopted the report OF the
Committee on Rules as far as article SO.
1t was decided that a quorum shall consist
of two-thirds of the delegates. II there are
not sufficient number present at two con-
secutive sessions to constitute quorum the
absent members shall be notified.
Senior Zayas objected that in spite Of a
notification the delegates might not at
tend, in which case the sessions might be
indefinitely suspended. The convention,
however. refused to make any change.
There was some discussion OF the CUES |
ticn whether the delegates should be |
Obliged to vote on all matters coming be-
fore the convention 1t was decided that |
they must. but each member will have the
right to explain his vote. Any delegate
can demand that a record be kept of his
particular vote in the minutes of the con-
vention.
Article "a of the rules provides that
when the convention is constituted a Pc
Rod of not more than eight days will be
allowed the delegates in which to pro-
pose bases for a constitution. an en- ire
constitution or partial projects there for.
Senior Llorente objected 10 this. saying |
that eight days was too short time for
such a purpose. Furthermore. every del
egate might present a complete constitu-
ton, which would make the discussions
Senior Capote drew attention to the ar
ticles Immediately following article "a.
which provide that all proposals shall be
handed to committee, which shall draw
up the final project. which will be the
only one submitted for discussion.
Senior sanguily said that as the condi-
lions which are to exist between Cuba
and the United States would probably de-
termine the efficacy or non efficacy OF the
the delegates. when present
ing projects to the convention should also
state what conditions they considered
should exist between the two countries.
He added that in his opinion the consiitu-
ton could not be considered apart from
these conditions
The convention then adjourned