Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-11-11
PALMA REVIEWS
CUBAN AFFAIRS
Outlines Leading Matters Requiring
Attention of Congress.
THE ISLANDS RESPONSIBILITY
President Tnlmn Also kiiudcd with
Pride to the st. Louis Worlds
Fair Gold Medal Awarded to
Cuba's sanitary Dcpa rtmcnt

Havana, Nov. S.-The winter session
of congress opened Monday promising
ly. In sharp contrast to the rows and
Discrimination to legislate which char
acterized thu summer session, the
members of the minority party occu-
pied their seats in full force. Nation
alist leaders have said that ii is not
their intention to pursue their former
obstructive tactics. There were less
than half a dozen abSentees in each
house, and the proceedings were char
acterizcd by fricndlincss.
In his message, President Palma, af-
ter a lengthy review of the condition
Of the republic, outlined The leading
matters requiring attention by con-
gress. The message made no reference
To the political situation. In mention
ing the progress that has been made 10
paying off the 80 per cent. of what
is due the veterans, the total amount
ing to $2@, 800 900, President Palma
asked congress to decide in what man
ncr the remaining half should be
raised or to suggest other mode OF
assessment. The president called at
tentiOn to the fact that the Plat
amendment would not permit Cuba tC
incur debt, unless the ordinary re-
Ccipts Of the treasury We're sufficient to
pay off the sinking FUND and interest,
adding that as the present sources
above the ordinary expenses are praca
ideally absorbed by the first loan. Cuba
can not create a new LOAF except
thTntIph inErnaEipu tDync Ihn nr,si-
dent suggested that the difficulty might
be Obviatcd by the creation of a pCrs
pctual dcbt-bcaring interest at three
per cent. per annum, which the gov
eminent could be authorized to sink
after % years, or to liquidatc sooncr if
the mean became available.
Cubn'S ResponsibiIity.
President Palma called attention to
Cuba's responsibility under the Plat
amendment for proper sanitation
throughout the island, and stated
that the active department must
assume general charge of all
sanitation in order to secure uni
form and effective results. Conse-
Gucntly congress should appropriate
sufficient money for that purpose, and
authorize definite executive control
thereof. The president reported that
health conditions were as satisfactory
"a last year, with the exception that
there had been a number of cases OF
diphthcria in certain localities in the
prOvinc" of Santiago. which diSap-
pcarcd as the result of special sanitary
measures. The mortality the past ten
.--,,I. =, .--,,n H.. at, ,,rns - I 90
per thousand. and throughout the ISL
and lG.21. one case of yellow fever
had been disposed of, and that had not
originated in Cuba. The sanitary de-
partment, the president said, is pre-
pairing new regulations to be carried
out under executive authority.
President Palma alluded with pride
to the gold medal awarded by the
Louisiana Purchase exposition at st.
Louis to Cuba'S sanitary department.
Estimated bulge Of Expenses.
President Palma estimated the
budget of expenses as amounting &c
$4,000, 900, of which he proposed to
designate S2,50O,00O for the cOnstruc-
ton of new roads and Buildings. The
message stated that if the customs rev.
enues continue a. heavy as at present,
the executive will ask $50, 900, 900 for
1906. The special internal tax on
liquors, matches, etc, levied for the
payment of the present loan, now
yields $780, 900 annually, with a sur
plus of 81, 27O,000 above the amount
needed. If the export duty authorized
to be placed on sugar and cigars were
also enforced, it would yield upwards
of $500, 900 more.
President Cong ratulntes congress.
President Palma congratulated con
which he attributes to the patriotism
and confidence of the people in the
government, and which has attracted
an influx of capital that is developing
Cuba's resources and industries.
The president complimented the mil
itary establishment and the various
government departments especially re-
ferring to the public works, the state
and educational departments, The
number of schools has reached 5000
with 10000 pupils, an increase for the
year of 10000 pupils. The agricultural
station, under the management OF
United States agricultural experts, Is
developing a high degree of usefulness.
Veteran Editor Dead.
Clinton, Ia, Nov. S,-R. II. Thayer.
Tor many years editor of the Clinton