The Topeka state journal., 1900-05-24
CUBAN ELECTIONS.
Little Interest Taken Except by Poll
tieians.

Havana, May 24-Except among Gu
ban politicians there is comparatively
little interest in the approaching cleo
tions- This is shown by the very light
registration. One of the worst features
of the situation is the fact that as soo2
as a party sees it is not likely to win
IN particular quarter it WithdraWs it's
candidate and declares that everything
has been arranged unfairly with view
Union and the Republican parties have
Withdrawn their candidates in
Havana, leaving the election a practical
walk over for the National party. on
the other hand, at Matanzas and Santa
Clara the Republicans are likely to have
easy victories, the NatiOnalists there
objacting to the election laws. Santiago
viii be controlled by the Conservative
party, Of which Demetrius Castillo is
the leader. Pinar Del Rio has only a
National ticket and this applies to the
mayOralty.
General Wood has issued a modifica-
tion Of the electoral law for the city of
Havana so that among the councilmen
the minority viii be represented. The
city viii be devided into six districts
each having four councillors No one
viii be allowed to vote for more than
three candidates, thus assuring to the
minority at least six Representatives. In
view of this arrangement another week
viii be allowed for nominations
1t is now asserted that the only can
didates for the mayoralty will be Cen
eral Alexandra Rodriguez, representing
the National party, and Senior Estrada
Mora, who Will run as an independent
candidate. Many believe that the lat
ters chances are very good, as he made
a favorable impression while assistant
mayor ana aIterWard as acting may
Monsignor Donate Sbarretti, bishop OF
Havana, accompanied by a number Of
priests, representing the clergy and by
lay commission representing the lay
Catholics of the diocese, have present
ed TO General Wood petitions signed by
81, 900 people requesting that the decree
issued by General Wood while military
governor Of Cuba, ordering that only
civil marriages should be considered
lawful, may be so altered as to allow
marriages celebrated according to the
rites of any religion to be considered
lawful provided a record Of the cere-
mOny is duly handed by the church OF
religious body for civil registration
within thirty days.
Monsignor Sbarretti delivered an ad-
dress, in the course Of which he con-
tended that General Brooke's decree
was contrary to the spirit of religious
liberty and to the freedom of con-
science professed by the American peo-
pie and guaranteed by the treaty OF
Paris.
The decree of General Brooke said
the bishop, created and maintains q
useless conflict between the civil anG
the ecclesiastical law and good Cath
olics must consider it an imposition
forcing upon them as it does an empty
ceremony. The decree was a gratuitOus
attempt to restrict liberty and it is
direct cause of embarrassment and OF
increased expense to Catholics Wher
contracting marriage"
The probability is that the decree viii
be repealed sufficiently to allow the
marriage ceremony to be legally per
formed by a clergyman in regular or
ders.
Senior Checa, one Of the Spaniards
who inscribed, has been appointed ar
inspector Of customs and special agent
La Lucha commenting upon the ap-
puintment faVOrably, says:
'Senor Checa is an old and we'll trieC
servant, without a blemish on his repu
tatiOn."
La Discussion says:
The Spanish papers are natural!
jubilant over the appointment. Cubans
however, view the matter with deel
disappointment and chagrin not be
cause Senor Checa was born in Spain
but because the appointment of a for
eigner is an indignity to the Cubans
Cuba for the Cubans' and the publ
positions in Cuba belong to them. The,
should protest until notice is taken of
by Washington. Senior Checa was fit
on the list Of inscribed Spaniards, clear
~ showing that he did not want to be
Cuban"
Collector Bliss says:
'SenOr Checa- was extremely we
recommended to me by both Cuban an