The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-25
COMING CUBAN ELECTIONS.
LIGHT REGISTRATION INDICATES
But LITTLE INTEREST.
The People. Unaccustomed to Exer-
cising Political Rights, Are sus-
picious of Unfair Piay-Minority
Representation in the Council.

HAVANA. May A.-Except among Gu
ban politicians there is comparatively little
interest in the approaching elections. This
is shown by the very light registration
One OF the worst features of the situation
is the fact that as soon as a party sees
II is not likely to win in particular
quarter It withdraws its candidate and
declares that everything has been ar
ranged unfairly, with a view of defeating
him. The Democratic Union and the Ke-
publican parties have both withdrawn
their candidates in Havana leaving the
election a practical walkover for the Ma
tional party. On the other hand, at Ma
tanzas and Santa Clara the Republicans
are likely to have easy victories. the Ma
tionalists there Directing to the election
laws. Santiago will be controlled by the
Conservative party, of whom Demitrins
Castillo is the leader. Pinar del Rio has
only a National ticket. and this only APP
plies to the mayoralty.
Gen. Wood has issued a modification OF
the electoral law for the city OF Havana,
so that among the councilmen the minor
ity will be represented. The city will be
divided into six districts, each having four
councillors No one will be allowed to vote
for more than three candidates. thus as
surfing to the minority at least six repre-
sentatives. In view of this arrangement
another week will be allowed for NOM
nations.
Mgr Donate Sbarretti. bishop of Havana,
accompanied by a number of priests, rep
resenting the clergy, and by a lay COM
mission representing the lay Catholics of
the diocese. have presented to Gen. Wood
petitions signed by 31,coo people requesting
that the decree issued by Gen. Brooke.
while military governor of Cuba, order
ing that all civil marriages should be
considered lawful, may be altered as to
allow marriages celebrated according to
the rites of any religion to be considered
lawful, provided a record of the ceremony
is duly handed in by the church or
ligious body for civil registration within
thirty days.
Senior Checa, one of the Spaniards who
inscribed has been appointed an inspector
of customs and special agent. La Lucha.
commenting upon the appointment favora
bly,, says:
"Senor Checa is an old and we'll tried
servant. without blemisE on his reputa-
ton
La Discussion says: THE Spanish pa
pers are naturally jubilant over the ap-
pointment. Cubans, however. view the
matter with deep disappointment and cha
grin, not because Senior Checa was born
in Spain. but because the appointment Of
a foreigner is an indignity to the Cubans
Cuba for the Cubans' and the public po-
sitions in Cuba belong to them. They
should protest until notice is taken of IL
by Washington. Senior Checa was fifth
on the list of inscribed Spaniards. clearly
showing that he did not want to be a
Cuban"
Collector Bliss says: Senior Checa was
extremely well recommended to me by
both Cuban and Spanish merchants, as
just the man for the position. If am to
be responsible for the good administra-
ton OF the customs service II is indis-
pensable that I should have the right to
control its employees