The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-01

Constitution, and part is an inheritance
from the American regime.
The inherent evil lies in an rnduly
cumbersome system OF government,
under which fixed expenses are created
without adequate returns. We're the
island prosperous, the matter would be
less important The inherited evil lies
in the fact that the Government of In
PREVENTION made no suitable provision
for internal taxation. Gen. BROOKE is
easily pardonabe for his omission of the
matter from his proceedings. His work
was the restoration OF law and order and
the establishment of a foundation for
later operations, either Cuban or Amer-
can. Gen. WOOD, succeeding him. eS-
sayed constructive work, the establish
ment of Government. His attention
was called aga in and again to the deslra-
bility and the real need of Il system OF
internal taxation. He did issue certain
laws, but they were inadequate and to
large extent ineffective. His neglect OF
so important department would have
been more commendable had it been more
consistent. He attempted administrative
and legal reform, and his reputation
rests chiefly upon his claim to success in
his efforts. But there was, in fact, far
more reason for the reform of the fiscal
system of the island than there was for
he doing of many other things which
that official undertook. An attempt at
fiscal reform, however, could only en-
counter protest and opposition. Diff
Guilty and trouble were alike inevitable,
and trouble would have been cloud
upon his reputation as an administrator,
Therefore, Gen. WOOD evaded the issue.
Internal taxation was a sensitive point.
1t was easier to get around it by supply
ing funds from the nsular treasury than
it was to deal directly with so serious
problem, and Gen. WOOD left it as a
legacy to his successor.
Two issues of serious moment are pre-
scented by the immediate situation. One
lies in the fact that citizens of the coun-
try are refusing to pay taxes levied by
their official authorities, and those au-
thorities daily with the delinquents, in
stead of proceeding under the law to
support their own acts. If those authori-
ties were justified in levying the taxes,
they are equally justified in full and
prompt collection Of them. If they were
not so justified the only inference is an
utter unfitness for their places, which
should lead to prompt removal.
The other issue lies in the uncertain
Constitutionality of their action and the
absence of any means of determining
that question. The United States and
other republican governments have
found that competent legal interpreted
ton of the meanings of Constitutional
provisions was quite as necessary as a
Constitution. Cuba has. as yet, no such
medium of Interpretation. Presumably,
this power of determination is vested in
her Supreme Court. Actually, the de-
fectiveness of her organic laws leaves
the matter in very indefinite condition.
The island will unquestionably work it's
way out of it's difficulty, and too much
should not be expected from the new
Government. But Immediately, the re-
crudescence of an old Spanish system,
combined with the system bequeathed
by the Government of Intervention, has
raised an issue of grave moment in
Cuban affairs.