The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-31
VOTES FOR ALL CUBANS.
The Convention Adopts the Clause
Giving Universal Suffrage.

HAVANA, Jan. 3O.-The clause in the
constitution providing for universal suf-
frage. which was finally adopted by the
convention today caused, as was expected.
keen debate. Seaor Alaman said that
suffrage was constitutional question, and
the urdisputed right of all Cubans
Senior Berrie opposed this view. He said
he did not fear the vote OF the people,
but if universal suffrage was granted an
enormous number of naturalized foreign
ers receive right that would be a serious
menace to Cuba.
Senior Sanguily said that after the war
Cuba was divided into the masses. the mid
die classes, and the aristocracy, the lat
ter being in a deplorable condition. He
thought the masses just as capable of ex-
ercising the right Of suffrage as the mid
die classes.
In the constitution should appear all the
rights Of the citizens, which rights the law
should regulate. but not formulate With
out universal suffrage Cuba would be ex-
posed to the domination of alien votes.
There were 6,0SS Spaniards and 6,S9i other
foreigners in the island all of whom might
have the right to vote against 1000 Gu
bans who could read and write.
The principle was admitted in the de-
bate that a man might have the right to
more than one vote, owing to certain
property qualifications. Nothing more was
settled regarding suffrage, the central
committee having declined to report. and
leaving the convention to deal with the
matter.
The third section of the constitutional
project, dealing with the rights guaran-
teed by the constitution was considered.
Two additions were made, providing that
the laws dealing with the rights guaran-
teed by the constitution shall be null
when they tend to restrict or diminish
those rights. This was inserted to guard
against. the possible attempt of an IN
scrupulous legislature or executive to
legislate on the border line of the eonsti-
tuition against the rights of citizens guar
anteed thereby.
The other addition provided that the
fact of the enumeration in the cOnstitu-
ton of the guarded right did not exclude
citizens from other rights implied by the
sovereignty of the people.
Article XIV was amended to the ex-
tent that Article XI could never be sus-
pended.
Senior Eudaldo Tamayo made a speech
to the effect that the rights guaranteed by
the constitution. according TO the project.
were less liberal than under the Spanish
Constitution of 1859 which in no case
permitted a suspension of a citizens
right to be tried by the proper tribunal.
II was evident. he said. that the commits
sion had modelled the third section of the
project on the Spanish Constitution OF
1866, instead OF on that of 1863.
He instanced what is said 10 be happen
ing now in Spain, where the rights Of
citizens were being suspended for INSULT
cient and unjustifiable causes. He thought
the same thing might happen in Cuba.
where the people were conservative today
and liberal tomorrow. He did not con-
slider Arti lie XVI, which says that susren-
sion Of the guarantees shall be made ty
means of law sufficient to protect citizens
from abuse of power owing to the amb-
ton or unscrupulousness of some future
government
The tone of the speech was of appre-
hension and doubt regarding the respect
which the President or the Congress may
have for he constitution. Senior Tamayo
thought that the only occasions on which
any rights should be suspended were dur
ing an invasion or a rebellion.
Senior Zayas said that If Senior TamayO
had no more confidence in future Cuban
governments than to think the protection
guaranteed to citizens by this constitu-
ton insufficient. then the business had
better be abandoned as all hope of law
and order would be gone.
The rights of minorities were recog-
niZed.
La Lucha." publishes telegraphic de-
spatch from Washington, which is declar-
cd 20 be official to the effect that Cuba
is to receive complete Independence i'm
mediately and that the troops are to be
withdrawn at once. General Wood says
that he knows nothing Of this, but be-
lieyes the assertion to be unwarranted.