Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-24

though the business interests offthe coun-
try, and particularly the foreigners, are
exceedingly DESTROYS that it should be done.
There is a great deal of complaint as to the
administration of justice, and it is freely
alleged that the courts are corrupt. There
has been no change since Spanish times,
when the longest pole got the persimmon, "
or the longest purse or strongest pull got
the judgment. 1t is also asserted that the
judiciary is subject to the influence of the
executive There have been some rather
amusing illustrations. When Gov. Magoon
first came here he was frequently consulted
by members of the judiciary as to how they
should decide pending in their courts
and to what should be done with certain
influential citizens who were defendants in
criminal cases. The judges acted if they
were in the habit of receiving advice
from the palace in such matters. 1t was
always the rule during Spanish domination
and the habit was continued, more or less.
under the republic. For this reason the re-
lance We place upon the judiciary is not
felt here, and there is very little public con-
fidence in it's honesty or it's wisdom. Nor
can these conditions be corrected until the
laws are changed, the judiciary elected for
life and released from executive influence.
1t is also claimed that foreigner has no
show in the Cuban courts unless he brides
the judge. and litigation is interminable.
Simple cases which ought to be decided
promptly cucumber the dockets Of the
courts for years, involving great deal of
trouble and a very large expense.
The Judiciary are also accused of being
influenced by personal and political preju-
dice. gentleman told me the other day
that his regular legal adviser always en-
ployed another lawyer to appear for him
In certain courts because of the personal
or political hostility of the judges He as
serted that this was common practice and
that all the lawyers of Cuba were In the
habit of appearing for each other under
such circumstances. 1t was professional
etiquette.
Commission Considering Legislation.
To relieve this situation, to do the work
which the congress ought to have done,
Gov. Magoon,. soon after he assumed au-
thority, appointed legislative commission
to prepare five laws Of imperative import
ance. This commission consists Of twelve
members-three Americans, Col. CrOwder
and Maj Winship of the judge advocate
generals department of the army, and Mr.:
Schoenrich, an eminent jurist from Porto
Rico. who Is familiar with the Spanish law
and procedure, and nine Cubans. Four
members of the moderate party-Rafael
Montoro, minister to England; Manuel Coro-
nado. editor of La Discussion: Garcia Kohly
and DR.. Carrera Justiz. both eminent law
yers. Four are members Of the liberal
party-Alfredo Zayas. recently candidate
for vice president; Juan Gaulberto Gomez,
| d
be the smartest man in Cuba: Messrs. Sar-
rian and Requioferos. lawyers, and Mr..
yiondd, another well-known attorney, who
represents the republican party.
This commission sits several hours every
afternoon and its proceedings have attract
ed a great deal of public interest because
the future politics of he country is in
volved more or less in every one of the
subjects which have been assigned to It..
There have been some very exciting debates
and at times the members of the liberal
parry on the commission have threatened
to withdraw when they found themselves in
the minority. AS rule, the three Ameri-
can members find themselves voting with
the members of the moderate party on po-
litical questions because of their conserva-
tive disposition and not on account of any
political alliance or sympathy. For the
same reason Mr.. Viondi, the representative
of the republican party. can usually be
counted upon to vote with the liberal mem
bers of the commission, because he is a man
of radical views and socialistic tendencies
and is more likely to agree with them than
with the conservatives on every subject.