The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-04

Progress Towards SeIf-Government-
constitutional Convention.

constitutional convention
On the oath If July, 1900. 1 directed that a
call be issued for an election in Cuba for
members of a constitutional convention TO
frame a constitution on a basis for a stable
and Independent government in the island.
In pursuance thereof the military governor
issued the following Instructions:
Whereas. The Congress of the United
States by its joint resolution OF April 70.
1888, declared
That the people of the island OF Cuba
are. and of right. ought to be free and
Independent.
That the United States hereby disclaims
any disposition or intention TO exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over
said islands. except for the pacifcation
thereof, and asserts its determination,
when that is accomplished, to leave the
government and control of the island to its
people.
And, whereas. the people of Cuba have
established municipal government, deriv-
ing their authority from the suffrage OF
the people given under just and equal
laws. and are now ready, in like manner.
to proceed to the establishment OF a
general government, which shall assume
and exercise sovereignty. jurisdiction and
control over the island;
Therefore, it is ordered that a general
election be held in the Island Of Cuba
on the third Saturday Of September, in the
year 1900, to elect delegates to the conven-
ton to meet in the city Of Havana at Il
o'clock noon on the first Monday Of Nc
vember in the year 1900. to frame and adopt
q Constitution for the people OF Cuba, and
as a part thereof to provide for and agree
with the government Of the United States
upon the relations to exist between that
government and the government OF Cuba,
and to provide for the election by the peo-
rle of officers under such Constitution and
the transfer OF government to the officers
sc elected.
1.-THE election will be held in the several
Atm ~. ~f hA snln~1 Nn1n- nRd
pursuant TO the provisions of the electoral
thereof"
The election was held on the 18th of Sep
ember and the convention on
the 9Th of November, 1900, and is now In
session. In calling the convention to order,
the military governor Of Cuba made the
following statement:
"As military governor of the island,
representing the President of the United
States, / call this convention to order. II
will be your duty first to frame and adopt
a constitution for Cuba, and when that
has been done to formulate what in your
opinion ought to be the relations between
Cuba and the United States. The consti-
tuition must be adequate to secure a stable,
orderly and free government. When you
have formulated the relations which in
your opinion ought to exist between Cuba
and the United States te the government OF
action on Its part as shall lead to a final
and authoritative agreement between the
people of the two countries to the promo
ton OF their common interests.
A friends OF Cuba will follow your de-
liberations with the deepest interest, earn
estly desiring that you shall reach Just
conclusions, and that by the dignity. in
dividual self-restraint and wise conserva-
tism which shall characterize your pro-
ceedings the capacity of the Cuban people
for representative government may be
signally illustrated. The Fundamental dis
tinction between true representative gov
eminent and dictatorship is that in tho
former every representative Of the people
In whatever Office, confines himself strictly
within the limits of his defined powers.
Without such restraint there can be no
free constitutional government. Under the
order pursuant to which you have been
elected and convened, you have no duty
and no authority to take part in the per-
sonal government of the island. Your
powers are strictly limited by the terms
OF that order"
When the convention concludes it's la
bors I will transmit to the Congress the
constitution as framed by the convention
for its consideration and for such action
as it may deem advisable.