The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-06
Has All the Power Of United States
President, but Cannot Serve
Two Consecutive Terms.
MANY CHANGES PROBABLE
MAY BE DISCUSSED TWO MONTHS
BEFORE 1T Is PERFECTED.
Some Of It's Features Similar to
Clauses in the Constitutioa That
Has Not Followed the Flag.

HAVANA. Jan 5-The divisions Of the
constitutional convention have rendered
crystallized report on the subject of a con-
stitution for the island, in twenty-five Sec
tions.
The first treats Of the nation and national
territory and the establishment of Cuba as
a republic, free and independent, the terri
tory being the same as that belonging to
Spain, divided into six provinces with limits
as heretofore.
The second section refers to the condi-
tions Of nationality, the methods Of losing
and recovering it and to the duties OF the
government. The most interesting clause
recognizes as citizens of Cuba strangers
resident in the island four months prior to
the Spanish war who lent their services TO
the cause of the revolution.
The third is consecrated to an extensive
enumeration of rights under the constitu-
ton, a condensation OF the entire principles
Of real democracy, individual liberty. the
inviolability of home, the secrecy Of corre-
spondence and the liberty Of public meet
ings, associations, the press. etc.
The fourth establishes the rights and
duties of foreigners.
The fifth speaks of the sovereignty Of the
nation and the power of the people to pro-
claim that sovereignty resides with the
people of Cuba, with three privileges
legislative, executive and judicial =
The sixth creates a Chamber OF Repre-
sentatives and a Senate, together forming
Congress.
The seventh provides for the choice OF
| four senators from each department, to be
named by the ayuntaIniento Of municipali-
ties and to hold office six years, two being
chosen every third year; and provides that
the Senate shall constitute a tribunal or
justice over the President and governors
of departments in cases OF misfeasance,
ETC., under charges from the lower house.
also having the right to confirm or reject
presidential nominations. 1t also provides
that only Cubans over thirty years Of age
shall be eligible for membership in the
Senate
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
The eighth section treats of the House
of Representatives, which shall be COM
posed of one member to every 10000 inhab-
itants, elected every two years by a direct
vote Of the people, the qualifications for
membership being that all members shall
be Cubans and twenty-five years OF age.
The House shall be the accuser OF the
President for infractions of the laws, and
shall also pass, prior to the Senate, laws
and propositions for the government OF
the country.
The ninth section establishes the relations
hot in, he
The tenth defines the attributes OF Con-
gress, which shall convene the first Mon-
day of November for sessions of ninety
days or longer, provides that extraordinary
sessions may be convened at the call of the
President alone. that Congress shall pro-
claim the President and Vice President,
shall pass upon estimates OF national ex-
penses. shall declare war and make peace.
shall regulate commercial. financial and
internal affairs, declare amnesty, organize
forces for sea and land, form national
codes and attend to public works and neces-
stiles.
The eleventh treats in detail Of legisla-
ton and presidential approval or rejection.
The twelfth section defines the power OF
the executive and provides that the Presi-
dent must be Cuban by birth or natural-
ization, and, in the latter case, must have
served in Cuban wars ten years. He must
be thirty-five years OF age, shall serve six
years, not being eligible for reelection
Immediately, shall direct the suffrage.
promulgate and execute the laws, convene
Congress in extraordinary session, direct
diplomatic relations and negotiate treaties.
submitting the same to Congress for its
appreciation or rejection. and shall ap-
point supreme magistrates and other high
officers.
The thirteenth treats of the duties of the
Vice President.
The fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth
sections refer to judicial organization and
administration
DEPARTMENTAL ASSEMBLIES
The seventeenth treats of departmental
regime 1t provides that the governor OF
every department shall direct the suffrage.
and that his term of Office shall be three
years. 1t also provides for departmental
assemblies. to which members shall be
elected every three years by popular vote
in the ratio of one delegate to each 1900 in
habitants.
The eighteenth defines the departmental
assemblies duties. which shall be depart
mental and not national OF municipal In
character. and shall conform 10 the Con-
stitution and not oppose or interfere with
national or international law. Department
tai assemblies shall control the educational.
eleemosynary, health and treasury depart
ments, which shall be separate for each
province. and there shah be also separate
civil-service departments and departments
of public works These assemblies shall
convene every year for ninety days Dps-
cial sessions may be convened at the can of
the governor. The GOVERNOR Of the de-
partmentz and the president of Tie ropuol1o