The sun., 1907-08-29
GOVERNOR MAGOON'S SANTA
TTON ORDER.

Cuba's sanitary work is a measure OF expe-
diency. That IL is n desirable and perhaps
an absolutely necessary step is shown by
the experience OF the island. The fact that
such an order is not altogether In harmony
with Cuba's governmental system as set
forth in her Constitution may be disre-
gsrded In Wow of the further fact that the
Cubans themselves. while running their own
institution, were prone to violation OF that
system when such course was found con-
venient or expedient proper degree OF
municipal cleanliness is eminently desirable
in the island, notwithstanding the doubtful
part played by unsaDitary conditions in tho
origin and dissemination of yellow fever.
There is, however, a strong tendency on
the part Of Americans to overetate the filth
ness of the island and to overemphasize
the danger OF its actual conditions. 50 far
as rural conditions are concerned there
would be no difficulty whatever in locating
thousands on thousands of American farms
on which general sanitary conditions are no
whit better than those Of the average Cuban
farm. So far as towns and villages are
concerned a similar statement may be made.
changing the term thousands to hundreds.
The special trouble is in the cities. That
municipal officials have not been as diligent
an they might have been in keeping their
bailiwicks as clean az We think they should
be kept must be admitted. But let us at
least be fair and remember that many OF
our own cities are far from being as immacu-
late a. We think Cuban cities should be. Lot
us also be charitable and remember that
the American standard OF municipal clean
lness and sanitation--a standard reached
in few Of our own cities-is all q now game
to the Cubsns. 1t il AZ new a. the game
OF honest politics; a matter upon which
there is an occasional falling down in our
own land Of clean and honest people.
Let US also remember that when We were
there before. with full and unquestioned
right to do whatever we saw At. We installed
no sewer systems. except those dead"
pipes in santiago to which General Wood
is 20 heavily In debt for his reputation. The
same o. illustrative and sanitary genius
also ~ - a more than doubtful contract,
involving nearly $4,000. 200. for sewering
and paving Havana. but no provision was
made for paying the bills. Nor does the
mortality rate of that city. al shown by the
record OF the last five or six years. indicate
that the prompt execution OF that contract
IN toto is a life and death matter. That
sewers and better pavements would be a
convenience and an advantage to Havana
is unqucstionabie, but there is nothing to
show that either is an absolute necessity.
Between the borrowing OF a large sum of
money and general tearing up of the whole
city to lay pipes and pavements within two
or three years and a gradual prosecution OF
the work, beginning in the older part of the
city and radiating thence az time and means
conveniently permitted. the arguments are
in favor Of the latter plan.
There are dozen cities on the island that
would be vastly improved as places OF resi-
denoe if supplied with proper water and
sewer systems. Cienfuegos 10 the most i'm
portant Of these. with Santiago and Matan-
zas close runners for second place. Cien-
fuegos's water and sewer jobs have been q
standing scandal in Cuba for five or six
years. with American spectators and local
Cuban politicians about equally involved in
the orookedness Of it all. The special
trouble is the difficulty of securing water
supply for any OF these places. There are
no lakes in the island. hardly anything even
worthy OF being called pond With the ex-
ception Of the Cauto in Santiago province.
there are no rivers Of size or Importance.
At points where a head could be located for
a city supply the streams are small. En-
gineering problems as well az financial
questions are involved.
This and a number of kindred matters
formed an issue which was vigorously dis
cussed when Cubas Constitution was
drafted. The logic of the situation. the
smallness OF the island. the homogeneity of
its interests-all pointed 70 the desirability
Of single central government. The area
of the island 10 about that Of Pennsylvania,
and its total population about that Of the
city Of Chicago. With a strong and clean
handed executive and an honest Legisla-
ture. there can be no doubt Of better gov
ernment than that for which provision was
made. It is a place for properly admin
istered centralized government. But the
Cubans fear the Capitalization OF power,
and with reason, because their institution
went to pieces on precisely that rock despite
the efforts OF the constitutional convention
to provide for It's avoidance.
Mr.. Magoon's order. although perhaps
questionable from certain standpoints should
be and doubtless will be for the best inter-
ests of the island. 1t may even be regarded
as reasonably within the provisions of the
Constitution by the application Of a rule not
unlike that now being essayed in Washing
ton for the regulation OF American affairs.
Article los OF the Cuban Constitution gives
to municipal councils the power to decide
all matters that relate exclusively to muni-
cipal districts" Article 50 gives the Con-
gress power TO issue orders for the regula-
ton and organization of all matters per-
tanning to the general administration OF
public, provincial and municipal affairs.
and to issue all other laws and decisions
which it may deem proper in connection
with all other matters whatsoe YER of public
interest.
As Governor Magoon is now de factO the
Cuban Congress and Cuban President as
well az Provisional Governor. it is held that
under this provision he may be regarded as
duly authorized to nationalize sanitation or
anything else il he regards it az in the
public interest
A warwickshire Nature Faksr.
To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: One Of the
boldest of nature takers has until lately es-