The evening times., 1900-02-09
AFFAIRS IN CUBA.
M Reduction in Tariffs Contemplate
ed by the Porter Commission.

M Reduction i'm Tariffs Contemplate
ed ny the Porter Commission.
HAVANA. Feb. 9.-The coming OF the
Porter Commission has given rise among
Cubans to the belief that the tariff
changes contemplated are TO be a reduc-
tion Of rates. This is untrue. Mr.. Porter
is trying to counteract the belief Of the
Cubans before their hopes rise too high,
only to be followed by a great disappoint-
ment. The reasons for not reducing the
scale are good. Reforms are contemplated
in public works, and the lighthouse ad-
ministration and a new judicial system viii
be created. These N,iu run the expenses
of the coming year far above those Of last
year. Although there is a surplus existing
now, IL is because many things were not
done last year that viii be done this year
As yet the ayuntamientOs throughout the
island are more or less dependent upon the
insular revenues for support No system
Of internal revenue capable Of sustaining
the municipalities is yet in operation.
Until such a system shall be devised the
necessity for keeping the customs revenues
as high as the country can stand is i'm
perative. II is argued by some that even
should the duties be reduced the consumer
would gain little, if any. benefit. owing to
the lack Of competition amCng the i'm
pOrters, who charge for the necessaries Of
life to within an inch of prohibition.
II reductions we're made. the importers
would be the principal benehciaries as
they WOULD maintain the prices TO con-
sumers. Mr.. Porter's real purpose is TIE
simplifcation Of the customs administra-
tion and the clearing away of the confusion
in the classification Of goods under the old
Spanish tariff.
The question Of suffrage is being dis
cussed again. While no official announce
ment has been made that the right of sUf-
frage will be restricted. IL is understood
that this is the intention of the Govern
ment. Mutterings are heard and La Dis
cusion" urges united opposition to the
plan. but as yet nothing Of strength has
developed, nor will anything develop un-
less il is manufactured by Cuban leaders
actuated by sinister motives, not for the
good OF the country OF for love of the
classes to be disbarred.
The fact that the igSth'g element among
the Cubans will be recognized robs the
partisans of universal suffrage of their
greatest natural strength among the peO-
pie while Of course. the educated and sub
stantial element OF the yopulation are not
averse 10 the elimination Of the rabbIe as
factors at the polls. The question whether
Cubans who are naturalized American cit
liens shall have the right to vote is still
unsettled, and it will require attention
from Washington soon. Conservative esti-
mates place the number OF these Cubans
at $4,000. They are the most highly edu-
Gated and most progressive class in Cuba.
They have had the benefit OF a personal
acquaintance with American governmental
methods. great many Of them are now
holding Office. II they cannot vote, and II
they must play the same role in Cuba s
immediate future as native-bOrn Ameri-
cans, Cuba will be deprived Of many val
liable citizens. They cannot renounce
their American citizenship, or II they dc
they cannot gain Cuban citizenship, for
there is no law governing the. point except
that clause OF the Treaty OF Paris con-
eerning Spaniards who become Cubans by
failure to register as Spaniards prior to