New-York tribune., 1901-08-31
WHAT CONSTITUTION PROVIDES.

+iOral
on order Of the Military Governor, Major-Gen-
arol Leonard Wood dated at Havana. November
q 1000 met for the purpose OF drafting a con-
e,+,,,on for the unborn republic. and continued
.As,- labors with more or less regularity until
,.h-,,arv 70. 1901, when the constitution was
adopted.
The instrument is a long one, containing about
.,gb+ thousand words, divided into 115 articles.
sx temporary provisions and an appendix COM
,0ssd Of the eight articles known as the Platt
snentment Like the island it is intended TO
cavern. the constitution is long but narrow and
an examination of its provisions shows that il
vau scarcely accomplish all that patriotic Gu
bans desire.
To nerson raised under Anglo-SaNon infiu-
rces and traditions, whose bill OF rights runs
heck 70 Runnymede, their definition Of human
rights seems to be a work Of supererogation. for.
sf,e- the fashion Of most Latin-American con-
stitutons in thirty articles, in themselves long
or than the original constitution Of the United
States the document defines certain inalienable
rights which appear 70 be so inherent In any
,orrn NJ government that they ought to be as
sumed as an integral part Of the organization
~ society without specific mention in written
constitutions Such fundamental rights as
eoualitv before the law, the denial Of the power
Of the accused to be informed of the charges
AGAINST him the accused not being obliged 10
,as,,fv against himself the inviolability of
-espondence and Of donicile the liberty OF speech
and Of the press, the right OF petition. freedom
Of conscience liberty Of worship, well the
denial of the power 10 impose the penalty of
exile or conhscation Of property for political Of
fences are all carefully defined Yet many of
these rights the birthright of freemen every
where. may under certain conditions defined by
the constitution be suspended temporarily by
decree Of the President when Congress is not in
session. and It would appear from a reading Of
the instrument that the decree may be con-
tinued indefinitely by said body.
While Il is true that the embodiment OF these
principles IN a written constitution does not
necessarily weaken it, yet it is rather a sad
comment upon the government under which
Cubans formerly lived, and is evidence that they
do not feel sure Of any rights not specifically
nominated IN the bond.
LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF GOVERNMENT
The legislative powers OF the government are
TO be exercised by two bodies. Senate and a
House Of Representatives the former being
composed Of four Senator'S from each OF the six
provinces OF the island, and the latter OF one
representative for each twenty-five thousand In
habtsnts moiety thereof Senators are TO be
elected for period Of eight years and Repre-
sentauVes for four years. 1t will be seen that
counting five persons for each voter. and as
suming that there would be two parties nearly
equally divided, any person who can secure con-
trol Of twenty-five hundred votes can be elected
or name the Representative TO Congress, and
among people with so large a percentage Of
fliterates and with no clearly defined political
e1a
contests will be great extent personal strifes
which among people Of Latin descent are not
as a rule conducted along peaceable lines.
The House OF Representatives can accuse, and
the Senate. sitting as q court, may try, the
President Of the republic for any alleged crime
against the external security Of the State vio-
lation Of the constitution or for attempting to
impede the free operation OF the legislative or
judicial powers. II may suspend the President
during the progress Of the trial, and impeach
him II found guilty. Cabinet ministers may also
be tried in the same manner. Upon an accusa-
tion by the President or by the provincial coun-
cillors, the Senate may also try the Governors
Of provinces.
The Senate also has power to confirm the ap-
pointments made by the President OF the Chief
Justice and associate justices of the Supreme
Court the diplomatic representatives. the con-
suis and other officers whose appointment is by
laws yet TO be enacted, subject to such approval
II is also one Of the powers OF the Senate to
fsrfy the treaties negotiated by the President
with other powers.
The House Of Representatives has power TO
accuse the President and Cabinet officers as
stated when two-thirds Of its members agree
thereto. and this is the only special prerogative
o. The lower house.
n
eno must remain in session at least forty days.
~ may also be called in extra session by the
president whenever IN his judgment there is
occasion therefor. but during such extra ses-
'oh only such subjects may be acted upon as
we're mentioned in the call The Congress has
po"er TO enact all codes and laws Of a general
eiaracter. and the shall have force
throughout the territory Of the republic, with
aulhority. also, 10 prescribe the manner OF
erecting Congressman Governors of provinces
Aho The officers OF provincial and even munich
pa corporations. and may prescribe the pro-
visions necessary for the regulation OF provincial
"No municipal organizations.
ONLY A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
mus 1t is that the proposed government is
-.0'e man a strong central government IL is
''e only government The provinces, corre-
spending TO the States OF the American Union,
"acucaIy are without power. They have no
"esiature, but simply a provincial council.
ee oody whose powers are limited to cor
.~poho somewhat TO the duties OF county COM
rAs ss'oners as defined in many States Of the
a'aoh' The form Of government is an imitation
she american system, not one growing out
!. 'Ocai conditions. Even municipalities are at
mercy OF Congress. This is degree Of cen
nlanon never before attempted by any sue
,ks'u government Such a plan presented to
constitutional convention which framed the