New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-21
CUBAN NOTES OF INTEREST
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
TO PREPARE FOR INDEPENDENCE

Havana, June 2o.-Major f. G. Rathbone, the
suspended Director-General of Posts, Is being ex-
amined by the inspectors attached to the staff OF
Joseph L. Bristow, the Fourth Assistant Postmas-
ter-GeneraL who is In charge of the official nves
tigaton into the Cuban postal frauds. This com
pletes Mr.. Bristow's duties. Later he Will make
a report to Governor General Wood, when II viii
be decided whether additional steps to be taken.
The United States transport Burnside will leave
Cienfuegos June "a for Boston with siXty-three
men teachers and sixty-seven women teachers
Alexis E. Frye the Superintendent Of Schools says
the walving of vaccination and quarantine In the
Of the teachers has caused much satisfaction.
Quarantine would not have been necessary on &C
count of yellow fever. the Cubans do not get
yellow fever.
The constitutional convention to be held In Oc-
tober will consist OF representatives elected by
each municipality the basis OF one to every
thousand of the population. To these will be added
the Chief Justice, all the civil governors, two in
sular secretaries and the rector OF the University
Of Havana. The convention will form a constitu-
ton giving Cuba much more comprehensive self
government than the present system. gradually
preparing the country for absolute independence
guaranteed by the joint resolution of Congress
a few days ago The Post published what was
meant to be amusing item declaring that the
breath OF the Cuban women smelled OF garlic. This
caused considerable comment In Cuban circles, and
to-day petition presented to General Wood
requesting that the editor and proprietor Of The
Post be expelled from the island for having gross
ly slandered Cuban womanhood. General Wood
has received several letters from various parts OF
the island requesting him to mete out to the Of
tenders condign punishment.
Expert accountants have begun examination
into the books and methods of the Engineering De-
partment.
The professors OF the University OF Havana de
sire that General Wood should not reduce their
number, thus increasing the salaries of those who
remain, but rather that he should retain the pres
ent number. The object of the proposed reduction
is to do away with many instructors who have
had only two three pupils and to raise the ef-
1ciency of the others. Powerful Influences are
being brought to bear against such a change, and
n request has even been made that the total
amount appropriated for salaries should De evenly
divided among all the professors, although some
work only three hours a month.
meeting Of the Society Of Planters has agreed
unanimously to ask General Wood 10 supply oxen
tho farmers in certain districts where things
at a standstl the conditions proposed being
payment in from one to three years at per cent
interest.
In the Province OF Havana. during the second
half of 1899 there were 219 legitimate births 1l6
being of the colored race; There were also 1926
egitimate births. ass of these being coored. Two
hundred and ten of the children died within TWEEN
ty-four hours Of their birth.