The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-10

least" must be forty years old, and In fun
enjoyment OF all civil and political rights
The President is TO be elected by direct
suffrage. Of the second degree. His term
OF office will be for four years No person
may be President for three consecutive
terms.
The President is empowered to execute
and enforce the laws; to call Congress IN
extraordinary session. or to suspend SEES
siOns when the houses disagree; to present
tc Congress at the beginning OF eacn SEES
sion q message on the state OF the repuD~
lie; to present an annual budget; 70 dlree-
the diplomatic affairs OF the republic, SUD-
hitting treaties 20 the Senate; 10 name ana
remove freely the secretaries OF the CaD-
met; TO name with the consent OF the Seh-
ate the ma istrates of the Supreme Court
aud diplomatic and consular representa-
tives; to suspend constitutional guarantees
&c suspend resolutions OF provincial couh-
ellis an6 ayuntamientos; TO suspend proVln-
cial governors, and TO pardon persons con-
yicted of crime, except public fu~nctlonarles.
He will be supreme chief of the land and
sea forces. and provide for the defense or
the republic. When rebellion or invasion Is
threatened. Congress must be called IL
session. He must not leave the republic
without express permission of Congress.
lie will be responsible before the supreme
Court for ordinary crimes committed while
in Office. His salary is TO be determined
by law.
The Vice President, according to Title
s, must possess the same qualifications
as the President. He will preside over
the Senate and vote in case of a tie, ana
will act as President in case of failure,
temporary or absolute. of the President.
The number and duties OF the secretaries
of the Cabinet. Title 9 provides, will be de-
termined by Congress.
II SUPREME COURT.
Title 10 provides for a Supreme Court
and other courts which the law may es-
tablish. These will regulate their respec-
tive organizations and powers. the mode
OF exercising them and the qualifications
OF the officers who compose them. Justices
of the Supreme Court must be Cubans
by birth, thirty-fve years old, and in full
possession of all civil and political rights
They must have engaged in the practice OF
law in Cuba for at least ten years. or have
held rank of lesser degree in the judiciary.
These powers are conferred upon the Su-
preme Court:
ITO have cognizance of appeals. accord
ing to law.
ITO decide questions of Jurisdiction be-
tween inferior tribunals.
L have cognizance OF. all suits between
the state, the provinces and municipalities.
10 decide upon the cOnStltutl0nallty
of laws. decress and rules when a contro-
vcrsy may arise upon such points between
parties"
These general dispositions concerning the
administration OF justice are made:
The tribunals will recognize all civil,
criminal and interadministrative suits
They shall also have cOgnizance in cases
Ill - q VI ~ o. " tllC
exercise and possession of political rights.
All judicial fun~ctionaries shall be per-
sonally responsible for all violations of the
law that they may commit.
The remuneration of judicial functioii-
aries shall not be changed within a period
CT five years, a general law being neces-
Sary for the purpose.
Courts having cognizanca of the land
and sea forces will be regulated by their
organic law"
Government of the provinces is provided
for in Title IL Each nrnNinOa will have a
governor and council of not less than eight
or more than twenty members, To be elected
by direct vote of the people. These coun-
ellis are given power TO raise revenue, make
loans and to impeach by two-thirds vote
the provincial governor. Veto power is ex-
tended TO the governor. but may be over
ruled by two-thirds vote. Resolutions or
the council, however, may be suspended by
the president or the governor If contrary to
the Constitution or general laws.
REPUDIATES DEBTS.
The most important clause reads: "The
Republic of Cuba does not recognize any
debts or promises except those legally con-
tracted for the benefit of the revolution
since the 9th of February, 1895. by corps
commanders of the liberating armies until
the 18th of September of the same year.
the date on which the Constitution of Jima-
guayu was promulgated, and the debts
which the revolutionary government may
have contracted posteriorly. whether by
itself or by its legitimate representatives,
III foreign countries, which debts and COM
promises shall be classified by Congress,
which body shall decide as TO the payment
of those which in its judgment are legiti-
mate
The final provision is that the election of
officers of the republic shall take place
ninety days after the PRONUNCIATION of the
Constitution, and the transfer of the gov
eminent of Cuba to them shall take place.
Senior Giberga, after the Constitution had
been completed, proposed: That Cuba rec
ognize the necessity for close relations with
the United States; that each country should
concede the other reciprocal advantages,
that, in the opinion of the delegates. Cuba
should consult the United States in all
matters pertaining to loans to be guaran-
teed by national property; that Cuba
should never allow any other country &c
use her ports or any part of her territory
as bases of operations in war against the
United States; and that the United States
should be allowed TO retain troops in Cuba,
TO preserve public order, as long as might
be thought necessary.
All of these questions, including coaling
stations, etc, can only be finally deter
mined through the proper diplomatic
agents, and therefore will not, in all prob.
ability, be brought to an early settlement