The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-24
THE CUBAN MARRIAGE LAW.
a Monster Petition Presented Asking
for It's Modification.

HAVANA. May Archbishop Sbarreti
accompanied by delegation OF priests and
laymen. visited the Palace today and pre-
scented to General Wood petition bearing
81 600 names praying for mobilization
of the marriage law formulated by General
Brooke so that marriage by an ordained
minister Of any religion will be legal. The
present law only recognizes civil cere-
nony as legal.
In presenting the petition the Arch
bishop argued that General BrOoie's decree
was narrow and un-American, being OPP
posed to moral and social order. 1t caused
useless and injurious conflict between
the civil and ecclesiastical laws. and was
violation of the principles OF liberty.
conscience, and freedom OF worship pro-
fessed By the American Government and
guaranteed by the Treaty of Paris because
it does not recognize one OF the most
sacred acts OF the Catholic religion. The
Archbishop declared that the present law
was contrary to that of every State ana
Territory of the United States. He begged
that 1t might be modified to conform with
the broad minded and liberal legislation OF
the United States on the subject. which
recognizes as valid every marriage con-
tracted before duly authorized minister
of religion.
He added that the purpose of the petit
ton was to show General Wood that the
people OF Cuba were DESTROYS of a change.
He could have obtained many more thou
sands of names and deemed it unnecessary
to do so. There Is little doubt that the
whole people are opposed to the present
law.
1t is expected the law will be changed.
The Cabinet favors modification. General
Wood intends to submit the proposed
change to the Supreme Court for an opin-
ion to make sure of his ground before
touching the question which is SO close
to the life of the Cuban people. The petit
ton, however, has shown him how
strongly the people feel on the subject, not
only the Catholics, but the Professionals as
well. The ministers of the latter denomi-
nation have been working in harmony with
the Archbishop. When change is made
licenses will probably be required.
General Wood has made change in the
charter OF Havana and the election law
which will destroy one OF the Democratic
Unions chief objections to the present po-
liticaI status. In other words. he will rec
ogniZe a minority election OF councilmen
in Havana City. The city will be divided
into six districts and there will be four
counc!lmen from each district There can
be no more than three Of these elected by
the majority in any one district. This will
give the Democratic Union a chance to
remain In the political arena il it really
wants to. No nominees have yet been
named to oppose the candidates OF the
National party. Estrada Mora will run in
dependentIy against General Rodriguez. the
Nationalist candidate fer Mayor.
The appointment by Colonel Bliss OF
Spaniard named Checa to be special
agent at the customs wharf has raised the
ire OF some Cubans. Checa registered as
Spsniard. refusing to be Cuban. The
Discussion has raised the cry OF Cuba
for the Cubars." and urges all to protest
against this appointment of foreigner.
Colonel Bliss says Checa is an able and
honest man. He does not care what his
nationality is. and will refuse to discharge
him while he remains in charge OF the
custom house.