The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-08
FOR REFORMS IN CUBA
GEN. WOOD Is MOVING RAPIDLY IN
SEVERAL DIRECTIONS.
Important Public Works Are Being
PIanned-Prison and Court Re-
forms Are the Next i'm Line.

HAVANA, Jan. 7.-Senor Villalon, secre-
tary of public works, arrived to-day from
Santiago and called on Governor Wood.
with whom he had long interview. To-
morrow he will consult with Colonel Black,
chief engineer of the Division of Cuba.
General Wood has advised that the first
thing to be done is 10 repair the bridges
throughout the island and to make the
roads passable. particularly the so-called
road extending the length Of the island,
but which only exists in name. He urges
that a large force of men be put to work
in each province. The water-supply system
will also receive immediate attention. Or
binary wells and artesian wells will be con-
structed in sufficient numbers, if possible.
to supply the needs of the entire island.
Wherever the work calls for contracts
these will be open to competition, and a
close superintendent by Colonel Black and
a competent assistant engineer officer will
be maintained.
AS soon as the prisons have been emptied
of persons unjustly held General Wood in
tends to have their sanitation looked after.
although many of them are better off In
this respect than has generally been sup
posed A prison board, consisting of three
inspectors, will be appointed, charged with
the duty of visiting all the prisons or the
island at regular intervals, and recon-
mending, in joint session, such improve
ments as seem necessary. Wherever prac-
ticabe these will be carried out.
The courts of justice. under the existing
system, are among the most corrupt in the
world A prominent merchant, who has
resided here forty years. and who has over
100000 invested in Cuba, recently told
General Wood that the principal reason for
the lack of confidence in Cuban invest
ments was the character of the courts.
He declared that there was widespread
conviction that almost any crime could be
committed In Cuba with impunity, so long
as the offender was able to make a jul
dicious investment of money The popu-
lar belief, according to General Woods in
formant. had long been that ii was sim
ply question of cash, IL one desired to
prevent litigated question reaching the at
tention of the Supreme Court. The men,
bers of this tribunal. he went on TO say.
were excellent men, but this amounted to
nothing in the face of the methods of the
court attaches. What is needed said
General Woods informant. lis COM
plete change in the judicial system. To
begin with. the system of fees should be
abolished absolutely. All judges and clerks
of courts should receive regular salaries.
Judicial corruption should be made seri-
Gus crime, with a heavy penalty, which
should be enforced against the very first
offender, no matter who he might be"
These remarks have apparently deeply
impressed General Wood. Most of the Gu
ban lawyers of the better class favor i'm
mediate action in direction of judicial re-
forms, particularly in criminal cases. Senior
Sola, chairman of the Havana Law Col
lege. says: Legal reforms are urgent. but
such radical changes as may not be made
advantageously ought to be left to the gov
eminent of the future, Meanwhile there
are reforms-especially In connection with
administering the criminal courts-whch
might we'll be effected at once. There might
be special tribunals for the trial of simple
offenses The people of Cuba have not had
sufficient protection in the courts, which
have been slow to act. There is feeling
that cases should be more promptly tried
and justice more expeditiously secured.
There is no doubt that the civil law. which
is exceedingly cumbersome, is also in need
Of reforms, but these should be left to
the independent government. I may say
that the present law of transfer is excel
lent