The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-02-23
Correspondence Louisville cour-

Havana Correspondence Louisville Cour-
The first Cuban Congress will consist
Of sixty-three Representatives and TWEEN
ty-four Senators. The House will be
composed Of one priest. two cigarmakers
representing the laboring class-four
merchants. I'VE editors; seven soldiers.
lawyers, The Senate viii be largely made
up Of planters and lawyers. The six
provinces are allowed the following num-
Der Of Representatives in the House: Ha-
Matansas. s; Pinar del Rio, z. and Puerto
Principe, 4. There win be four Senators
from each of these provinces. An cleo
ton was held on the 3lst OF December.
isM a.,s At which h. time there were chosen
bers of the House OF Representatives.
Governors of provinces and members Of
provincial councils. February "a Is the
date Of the election Of the President,
the election Of the last named has not
yet taken place. 1T Is known to a GER
tainty who they will be, just the same
as It Is known who will have a majority
q the "a college sfier p.e'den
The election In Cuba was very one
sided affair. There were several parties
In the field at the beginning Of the cam
paign. but 1t soon developed that the
majority. The opposition. even by COM
bining. could not make sufficient show
OF strength to call 1t contest and did
not allow the name OF their candidate.
Maso, to 90 on the ticket. This made
Cuba's Political Parties.
The political parties Of Cuba, as or
ganixations, are not worthy Of the name.
There are no clearly defined issues and
platforms similar to those set forth by
the. ,arfto IT, 0kA&
depends almost altogether on the popu.
larity Of the candidates. About the only
essential difference between the opposing
elements in the first election In the island
was their attitude toward the Plat law.
The Union Democrats were the old home
rulers, or those loyal to Spain. They
drew from the Nationals and Republi.
cans an element who wanted to cut loose
from the United States and 90 1t alone.
The followers Of Palma. the successful
candidate. advocated the advisability Of
keeping good faith with the American
Government. and the fact that they were
IN an overwhelming majority is an In
dicatioH of good faith on the part OF the
ference between them that Is worthy
of mention. Palma advocated the post
ponement of the army debt amounting
to about s4o.o0o.0oo. due to the soldiers
for service in the late rebellion, to such
a time when the treasury of the island
will be well enough filled to make the
payment of such a large sum advisable.
The opposition made a strong appeal for
popularity by promising to pay the army
of the depleted condition of the resources
Of the island this would be very imprac-
teal. and II 10 fortunate thing that
the pledge did not prove drawing card.
oa Cuba sol sr ed s seef Who hs esss
from Santiago. the same province as
Palma. He Is a fine old man, and simply
allowed his love and patriotism for his
country to corrupt his Judgment.
Good Set Of Men.
Five of the six newiy-elected Cover
nors of the provinces were Generals In
the late war, yet they are every one
Palma men. and will support him in his
measures for close relations with tho
branches Of Congress win do the same.
The best class of Cubans are very en-
thysiastic over the character Of men who
hive been elected to ONCE. The President
Is a wise and good man, who has time
and again proved his friendship for Cuba.
He owns thousands Of acres of land
along the cauto River In the western
part of Santiago province, but none OF
bis possessions have been under cultiva-
ton during the last thirty years. He Is
land poor. He has been In charge of a
school at Central Valley N. Y, for the
past ten years, but has devoted the most
OF his time to the interests of Cuba. His
devotion to his countrys welfare seems
to have thoroughly won the confidence
of the people. On account Of his long
in the United States he is fa-
mlliar with the customs of both coun-
tries. and will be better able to discharge
the important duties of his high once on
that account.
The Vice-President will be Luis Este
veg, an attorney of Havana, and form
erly Secretary of Justice of the island.
thropist of Cuba. She has given many
thousands of dollars for the maintenance
IF schools and hospitals throughout the
sland. Estevez and his wife are both
very wealthy. their joint holdings prob
ably amounting to IS, coo, 900. but they are
held In the highest esteem on account
IF their liberality and public spirit.
A Wealthy Congress.
The first Congress will be composed
principally of men OF wealth. That is
why the outlook for the future is con-
TO judge. Heretofore the best people
would have nothing to do with politics, |
Ind things were always in a bad shape |
Is consequence. Now that the people |
Who control the substantial interests OF |
he island are to take charge of its af- |
'airs, the argument is offered that the |
best interests OF the country are sure |
% be maintained.
The best posted Cubans know that the |
'nly hope for the future of their coun- |
ry. politically, commercially and in |
very way. lies In maintaining close and |
relations with the United States. |