The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-05
WILD DISORDER IN THE
HOUSE At THE OPENING
OF THE CUBAN CONGRESS
Nationalists Refused to Enter the
Chamber and Quorum Could
Not Be Secured.
POLICE WERE. CALLED IN
Trouble Due to the Recent Election
Frauds and Contests
for Seats.
PALMA'S MESSAGE READ
Senator'S Informed of Conditions
in the Republic-Frauds
Denounced.

contested seats arose they would be out
voted by the coalition lately arranged be-
tween the Republicans and moderate Lib
erals The Nationalsts came to the build
ing accompanied by several hundred local
followers. who crowded the audience part
of the chamber and the halls and streets
adjoining, shouting ''vivas' for the Ma
tionalist party. The Republicans and mod
crate Liberals for the most part remained
In their seats.
During the confusion the speaker of the
house. who is a Nationalist. not being pres
ent. the vice speaker called upon the SER
geant-at-arms and the employees of the
house to preserve order. but the crowd was
too great TO handle.
Lonela Castillo. prominent Nationalist,
who was one of those elected mounted the
reporters table and, addressing the crowd;
assured II that justice would be done ana
that the representatives who had been
fraudulently declared elected would never
be permitted TO take their seats.
AS the disorder continued Representative
Boza, himself Nationalist. addressed the
people to the effect that such demonstra-
ton in the house not only unlawful
but outrageous, and he counseled them that
such means The people thereupon began
10 withdraw quietly just as squad or pO-
lice entered the building In the crowd
gent of the race in Havana was not repre-
sented.
OWNS, to the fact that there was
sion, President Palmas message to con-
gress was not read in the house.
PALMA'S MESSAGE
President Palma's message, which was
read in the Senate. chiefly review of
existing conditions. 1t made few definite
recommendations. The message commended
sthe local inspectors for the prompt and
intelligent manner in which the provisions
of the new electoral law had been carried
out and praised the order and good judg-
ment which had everywhere been displayed
at the polling places election day, which,
the message said. was a good test of obed-
tfence by the Cubans o-the law and of
their love for the institution of free gov
The President said he had abstained
from intervention in all questions arising
out of the elections. leaving their settle
ment to other and proper authorities. as
the duty of the executive was the preserva-
tion Of order by the adoption OF rational
measures and the exercise of prudence.
If" said the message, 1.-The officials des-
ignated TO make returns make them false
ly they commit the crime of high treason
by usurping the rights of voters, lessening
the efficiency of the suffrage. turning the
be et away "a narcbn 51e polls aaa
, ship" In this connection. President
Palma recommended that the electoral law
be so amended that the will of the peo-
pie shall not be thwarted.
The state of tranquility existing in the
island. the message pointed out. is ex-
tremely satisfactory, the Cubans realizing
more clearly their duties independent
people and their responsibilities before
the eyes of the civilized world.
President Palma commended the effcien-
cy o. the rural guards and recommended
that that force, not numbering 1900. be in
creased by LOCO, and he added that the re-
organization of artillery was being carried
out.
The President reported that the Cabinet
bod haf he m
when the States should be relieved of the
burdens of supporting the provinces. not
withstandiaE the fact that the provinces
snot having yet prepared their budgets.
lacked the means at present to meet their
current expenses
SOLDIERS CLAIMS.
President Palma asks for extension of
three months time for the work of the
commission reviewing the revolutionary
soldiers claim lists as there are still 10, 400
claims which have not been acted upon.
He said the executive was placed in an
embarrassing position in the endeavor to
nav the soldiers proportionately out of the
ssI 900 600 of the loan. while the amount of SO
many claims remained unfixed. and that
the difficulty of making pro rata division
was Iamentable. owing to the fact that SO
MANY veterans were selling their claims al
a tremendous discount. in many cases
amounting TO 30 per cent The president
asks Congress TO determine the manner OF
distributing the $3l.0c0oO in three pay
nents TO be made in June. September and
December, respectively.
In lengthy comment on agriculture the
President commended the establishment OF
the experimental station in charge OF ar
expert furnished by the United States gov
ernment He reiterated the need for more
roads and bridges as all important. The
message gave figures TO recent dates OF
the value and quantity of the sugar anC
tobacco crops both of which. it says are
distancing all previous records: and expert
mentations in cotton and fruits was com
The President noted the continuance OF
public health no single case OF yellow fever
smallpox having origlnate9 se ., In S9pa; "a, In'
the mortality last year was the loves
since 1890. The death rate of the islanC
did not exceed Is per loo
T 1n The message of recommendation Il
the renewed hope that commission visi
South American countries IN the interes
of closer relations between those countries
President Palma outlined the situation o
the Isle of Pines treaty with Washington
as the only point comprehended by tn
Platt amendment remained unratihed- III
also recommends. in accordarce Win Tn
report of the congressional committee raw
oring IL adherence to the Brussels suSa
convention. 49,,
Cuba agree that goods from either countr,
TO other countries should on re-exportatio
TO the United States or Cuba receive IN
dement's of reciprocity the same as tnous
they were imported direct
iTreaties OF friendship and commerce. IN
message said. had been conciudeo WI,
italy and are pending with the Unite
States Great Britain. France and Spain
President Palma recommended genera
revision OF the code OF laws promulgate
by the United States government or In
tervention. and also of the spanish laws
and also a systemat.zing OF the Judicia
establishment.
Education was reported to be progressin
admirably. There now 3.4o0 commo
and seventy-two special schools In IN
island. The message said the new interna
revenue taxes are proving sufficient 70
the payment of interest on the $SoOOV.0 y
loan. The treasury now contains 1885,. CD
President Palma concluded his messag
BY saying ne had faith I'm increasing pros
perity under democratic institutions an
with the corporation of .well-directed leg
islatien.