Evening star., 1901-02-01

an overwhelming majority, they are now
beginning to avoid these pitfalls. They do
1t simply by overriding the minority More
over, as they have majority greater than
tWo-thirds. it is no trouble for them to
amend their procedure so as to overcome
obstructions.
A Novel Bar to FiIibusterinR.
Ihere seems to be no direct means of
applying the previous question, but the
same result is reached by limiting the
speeches TO two on each side for and
against a given proposition. This some
times is applied to keep one delegate from
making more than two speeches on the
same subject However, no disposition is
SHOWN to limit debate except when 1t plain
ly is utilized to delay the proceedings
One novel method Of choking off talk
also exists. This is for no one to take the
contrary side of an amendment which may
be offered When a delegate sends sheaf
of amendments to the table and the con-
vention is not disposed to take them Sc
riously. the presiding officer blandly asks
whether any one desires TO be heard in
opposition. If no one ''pide la pala-
bra" asks the floor, the chair looks
smilngly at the delegate who proposes
amendment shakes his head and says
that no member desiring to be heard
in opposition, under the rules, the amend
cussion. The vote in cases of this kind H.
a rising one, and the subject is disposed
of very quickly. Where enough support
can be mustered TO demand a roll call the
members get in short speeches by explain
ing their votes, but these do not consume
much time.
Nominally the constitution in it's parlia-
mentary progress is under the direction
Of the committee of five members which
drafted it and made the report to the
vention- This committee does not bear
the same relation that a committee in
Congress or a state legislature would bear
nil tod nv nat iInp -
members are united in support of their
work. but occasionally one of them dis
sents and votes against his colleagues on
the committee. This is in accordance with
an understanding they had when they were
agreeing on the compromises which Were
necessary in order to secure united action.
On the main points they are agreed, and
they stand together whenever an eIort Is
made by individual delegates 10 destroy
their work.
Cubans Also Talk to the Galleries.
Much of the talking is to the galleries
That was to be expected, and as the consul
tuition really was framed in secret session
the delegates are now having their hrst
chance to make public records and get
their speeches into print. So 1t comes that
they are hearing the same speeches for the
second or third time. PaiabraS, palabraS-
words. words'-they say wearily when one
of their colleagues insists on spreading him
self for the benefit of the public. Yet they
are quite courteous to one another and lis
dresses that they have heard before. Some
of the delegates, notably Manuel Sanguilly,
who has some hing of literary reputation,
follow the French models.
On the whole / have not seen any signs
that Latin fiuency is greater than Ameri-
can fiuency would be in a similar body
While personalities sometimes are ex-
changed, no real bitterness has developed
itself, and good nature obtains throughout
the proceedings. At times the presiding
officer rings his silver cow bell, as 1t is
called, quite vigorously In order to keep
several delegates from talking at once. The
presiding officer from his place in the chair
talks TO the members individually, explain
ing and expostulating with them, but al
ways showing a large degree of liberation
for their remarks
The main floor and the galleries of the
Mari Theater, in which the sessions are
he'd. usually are well filled. Hardly
meeting passes that it Is not graced by the
presence of some of the foreign consuls.
These consular represen tatives have taken
a deep interest In the proceedings and have
watched closely all that is dSne regarding
Cuban citizenship and the rights of for
eigners. They seem to have been more i'm
pressed with the importance of what this
constitutional convention does than some
American officials.
AS always happens. a few delegates have
shown themselves to be the takers Often
they talk to the galleries, which applaud
The galleries also hiss when an unpopular
opinion is uttered. and the presiding Off
TepTOSeS tneH vigorously and secures
quiet until the next demonstration
SanEuilIy Like Senator Stewart.
1t is conceded that Manuel Sanguilly can
make more speeches than any of his col
leagues, and longer ones. He has con-
siderable influence in spite of his long
speeches and his views are received with
respect. He affects the soft spoken and
self-contained style of oratory. quite diff
ferent from most of his colleagues An
other laxative member is Alfredo Zayas.
one of the secretaries of the convention.
He is a member of the Havana council and
made his reputation as talker in that
body. Mr.. Giberga, the only avowed an
Eexationist elected to the convention Is q
forcihie speaker. who has decided views to
which he gives utterances with all the ges-
ticulation and exctability of the Latin
race. Mr.. Gener, the secretary of justice In
General Woods cabinet, while not posing
as an orator, has made quick reputation.
by the directness and facility with which
he has exposed the absurdity of some pro-
posed amendments which would have a
bearing on International law. DIR. Berriel
Is another member who has developed