The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17
THE ELECTIONS IN CUBA.
Quiet and Order Prevails Through
ont the Island.

| ont the Island.
| HAVANA. June 1.-THE election held
| throughout Cuba today has been model
| one. Not eniy in the province of Havana.
| but. judging from reports received at tho
| division headquarters from department.
commanders up to late hour this after
| noon unusual quiet prevailed throughout
the whole island. In all Havana not
single fight was recorded, and, strangely
enough to American eyes. not a drunken
man was seen on the streets. Several ar
rests were made for alleged violations Of
the election law. but on the whole the
election may be considered an honor to the
Cubans.
This refers particularly to Havana. It
is possible there may have been disturb
ances late in the day in some of the prov
inces. II so. the reports of them have not
been received. The polls opened at s
O'Clock In the morning. and the voting
began Immediately. The rush to get in
the ballots was surprising. BY 10 o'clock
half the vote Of the city had been cast. A
look In at a polling place was quite renin-
| scent OF similar scenes In the United
states. The Australian system was used
and worked smoothly. The voters lined
up. gave their names to the clerks in or
der. received ballots and retired to the
booths. Having prepared their ballots,
they returned and waited cautiously to see
them deposited
Each candidate had watchers Illiterate
persons were assisted by the clerks to
prepare their ballots Occasionally
watcher charged the clerks with an at
tempt at coercion. instead OF mere as
sistance. One Of the watchers for Senior
Mora, the independent candidate for
mayor-a man Of the name OF Cerro-Was
arrested for Directing to this practice on
the part of the clerks. He became ex-
cited and rushed into booth where
voter was. thus violating the law.
There was one policeman stationed
within each polling place and none other
was. permitted to approach within thirty
five feet Curious minded persons were
allowed to enter the polling places to
watch the proceedings, crowding around
the tables. No bad results came from
this practice. which in New York would,
to say the least, be risky. no
Cubans were extremely proud OF the
calmness evinced throughout the day, and
felt that it was a proof of their ability
to run their own affairs. At several poll
ing places newspaper correspondent was
recognized on, his approach by clerks. who
called to him to enter and see how well
things were running.
This will show you they said,
whether or not we are fit for self gov
eminent. II we can carry on the rest Of
the scheme Of government as well as we
cast ballots 1t might truly be said that We
are able to rule ourselves. But the end is
not yet The counting of the votes Is to
come. Perhaps We should not crow till we
are out of the woods"
The rival candidates. Senior Mora and
General Rodriguez made strenuous efforts
to get out the vote Mora hired over 100
carriages covered them with the legend.
"Voten para Mora" vote for Nora" and
hustled about gathering his forces. He
had instructors at all places to show his
adherents the method OF voting. General
Rodriguez had about sixty carriages out,
but did not fly the familiar American ap-
peal for support
Although Mora's campaign was more
energetically wzged, was backed by more
men, and had the support OF the indepen-
dent higher class of voters the Nationals
evidently had more confidence all day In
victory. Mora's friends merely thought he
had a good chance. Although Cubans are
great gamblers, there was little betting ON
the result. The prevailing odds were 8 to
1 against Nora. The count is slow, and the
result will not be known before midnight,
il by then. Returns from the country are
not expected until tomorrow or Monday.
Up to 10 o'clock-the hour at which the
cable office closes-returns from only one
across the bay-had
been received. Mora was leading. but the
were confident The general i'm
preston is that Rodriguez has been elected,
but the result is still uncertain.