The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-27
Reasons for Celebrating.


as an Independence holiday, it having
been set apart as such by an order Of
Gen. Wood. According to all accounts,
It was quite generally taken advantage
of. and nearly all the Cubans participant
ed in the celebration. There was some
reason for popular rejoicing, inasmuoh
as great change has come over Cuban
affairs. and il all has been for the bet
ter. The improvements have been al
most phenomenal in the thoroughness
and success with which modern princi-
Piled There has been scrupulous in
sistence upon orderliness in the conduct
Of public affairs. such as was never
dreamed of before, and the Cubans have
begun to appreciate the advantages to
be derived from it.
During the past year the island pro-
duced surplus revenue This was
something unheard of under Spanish
rule, when the people were taxed to the
amount OF $40 per head for the purpose
Of filling the pockets of the unscrupu-
ious officials who had come from Spain
for plumber. In addition to orderly adj
ministration. there were new govern
mental policies introduced which were
never thought OF under the old regime.
and which have proved highly bene-
fetal to the people. especially those in
the cities. For sanitation over SO, 900. 900
was expended last year, and the work of
cleaning cities and towns and putting
in better drainage resulted in an i'm
munity from the ravages of yellow fever
that was as gratifying as it was I'M
precedented. For the first time the
people were compelled to recognize the
rudimentary laws Of health, and sani-
tary conditions in all parts OF the ISL
and are much improved because of 1t.
The narrow and imperfect Spanish
more rational American methods. There
are 1S1 boards Of education organizing
the public schools for the 100000 chill
dren of school age, for whose accom-
mediation the agents Of Spain provided
no school houses. About $1,000 have
been enrolled. and there are 1000 schools
books and buildings will be provided
for each Cuban town and village at
the earliest opportunity. The children
are taught in their own language, and
normal schools are to be established for
the training of teachers, the expense of
all these improved facilities for educa-
ton to be met by the customs revenues.
Every effort possible is being exerted
to eradicate judicial rottenness and. al
though the problem is difficult one to
solve. there is reason to believe that
an advance has been made. The courts
under Spanish rule were hotbeds Of
bribery and corruption. So-called JUS
tce was dealt out only for pay. The
jails were full of prisoners who had
been held for years without trial, and
there was no hope for them as long as
they were without money. 1t has been
an immense task TO deal with these in
EQUITIES. but they are beginning to dis
appear, and in time the administration
of justice will be placed on sound
basis.
Through an expenditure OF some $780,
600 the island has been able TO see the
beginnings OF modern mail service.
An even larger amount was distributed
to the hospitals and in aid of the desti-
tute and orphans. The police system
has been reformed. so that In both city
and country protection to life and prop
erty Is assured. General conditions are
very satisfactory. considering the i'm
mense amount OF work that had to be
done, and the better element admit that
American occupation and adminstra-
ton have brought about unexpected re-
suits. and given a peace. order and con-
taptfy, nj t,efnra n, ntpaun