The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-02-21
GU BA.
Some Of the Sights and Some OF the n eeds
Of the Island Of Cuba.
AHontu Hnrn"/.

Many stories have lately been print
ed concerning the social and CONNER
cial conditions of the Island Of Cuba
but none are more interesting than tn,
one told by Mr.. Samuel G.. Dobbs, Of
Atlanta.
Mr.. Dobbs has just returned home
after ten days stay on the island,
and what he has to say of the
things he saw and his Impressions
of the needs Of Cuba form not
only highly interesting story, but
one intensely important and instruct
i've.
Mr.. Dobbs j, the manager Of the
coca cola company, Of this city, and
while his trip to Uncle Sam new pos
sessions was made in the interest Of
business, still he spent a greater por-
tion Of his time in sightseeing. Be
ing a close observer his talk will prove
exceedingly bright and interesting
just at this time. lie has brought
back to Atlanta, in addition to his
store of knowledge regarding the little
island, many valuable souvenirs Of his
trip, chief among which are several
snapshots Of more than passing in
tcrcst
A reporter called on Mr.. Dobbs after
his return, and in answer to an in
quiry about his trip, lie said:
"Our party left Atlanta on Tues
day,night, January %, and reached
Miami, Fla, on Wednesday night.
There we boarded the Prince Edward,
a magnificent English steamer On
Thursday afternoon VIC were at an
chorage in Havana harbor. Going in
we had magnificent view of Moro
and Cabanos Castles ON the left On
the right were Santa Clara and Ncda-
do batteries. When saw these for
tiications I then realized what an i'm
possible task it was to have taken iia-
vana by sea.
''The view Of Havana as We entered
the harbor was one Of indcscribablc
beauty. Prominent among the build
ings is the Prcsidio, which is the Gu
ban pcnitcntiary and one Of the largest
buildings in Havana. The Havana
postofficc, now under control of the
American government. stands at the
foot Of Caballcria wharf and is Il
handsome building.
The arrangement for landing passcn-
gers in Havana harbor is outrageous.
Our steamer did not go to the wharf,
but anchored out in the harbor, which
is now the custom there, and passcn
gers are compelled to pay cxorbitant
prices to boatmen in order to get
ashore. This is great inconvcn-
ience. don't know why such Gus
tom SHOULD exist, as it is great nui-
sance and not in keeping with up-to-
date American methods. The steam
ers anchor about 200 yards from the
wharf, and the spectacle Of women
and childrtn clamoring to get aboard
the little boats is disgusting aud mex
cusable. I had to pay one dollar to get
ashore
Havana is a quaint city of 200, 900
people. It is dotted with small but
we'll kept and beautiful parks, which
at this season of the year are radiant
with roses and many other flowers in
full bloom. Under the vigorous laws
and discipline Of Generals Brooke and
Wood the city is model Of cloanli-
ness. The streets are very narrow,
barely wide enough for the small
coaches which are used in Havana to
pass one another. Under police reg
ulations these little carriages are al
lowed to go only one way and to re-
turn by another. Thi is done to
avoid passing each othe The side
walks are practically useless, being
only wide enough for one person to
walk upon, the people generally walk
ing in the streets
"What did you notice as the condi
ton of the people Of Havana regarding
their poverty or wealth. asked the re-
porter.
"Wcli, there is very little evidence
of poverty on the Streets answered
Mr. Dobbs. The poor people are ap-
parcntly we'll fed, and on account Of
the very delightful climate need but
little clothing There are many cvi-
dcnccs on all sides Of wealth. Stand
ing in trout Of the Tacom theatre,
which, by the way, is one Of the hand
soonest theatres on the western CONT
ncn,,- witnessed the assembling Of
one Of the most brilliant audiences [