New-York tribune., 1909-01-14
CUBAN CONGRESS- MEETS
LITTLE INTEREST SHOWN
Legislators Eager to Pass Coek
Fighting and Lottery Bills.

Havana. Jan. 13.-AIthOugh the reins % .
ernment will not be officially turned over To ~.
Cuban authorities until January 2S when -.
Inauguration of President Jose Miguel Cor,ov
and Vice President Alfredo Zayas will tab,
place. the meeting to-day Of the new Cubsr
Congress marked the beginning Of the end !,
the second period OF American Intervention i,
the island. which began with the breaking on,
of the revolution in August. 1906.
There was little or no public interest in IN,
gathering OF the legislators. who met merely !,
pass on the credentials Of members Al n,
Senate building. which Is opposite the Prss
Dental palace there was no outward iudfcsts,
that an important change in government aFaf-
was beginning The twenty-four Senator'S ma,
soon after noon and submitted their credentia,
and these will be canvassed by a COMMITTEES BE-
fore permanent organization Of the body IS ef.
fected. The eighty-two members Of the HOUSE
gathered in the new House Of Representativss
building formerly the Admiralty palace which
has been entirely reconstructed. Sessions in
Senate and House were brief and unattended By
speechmaking.
For the first time in the history Of the r.
public the House enjoyed the dignity OF occupy
ing its own home. having met during the for
mer period of independence IN an old tobacco
warehouse. The new quarters palatial al
though scantiIy furnished.
In both Senate and House the presiding or
Ger. who to-day was the eldest member OF each
body. sits at the end of a quadranguar hall. the
legislators sitting in long rows facing each
other. IN typical Cuban visiting fashion. their
sides to the presiding officers desk
Several Of the Senators in attendance today
we're hoIdover members from the Congress dis
solved in 1908 The members OF the House ara
ell new, having been chosen IN the recent elec-
ton All were attired with the strictsst for
1naIity in frock coats and silk hats
The decree issued by Governor Magoon con-
yokinR the Congress provides that neither SEN
ators nor Representatives will receive pay when
absent from roIlcaIls without leave. This IN
doubtedly will be amended as soon the
Americans quit the island
Bills establishing cock fighting and q national
lottery will be among the first 70 be introduced.
The Liberal party, which has an overwhelming
majority in Senate and House, is said 10 favor
a lottery and its members are openly announc-
ing that a bill providing for cock fighting viii
be one OF the first measures to be introduced
The party also favors liberal educational pro-
gramme. a law providing for the arbitration Oh
disputes between capital and labor and the ap-
pointment OF commission 10 revise the tarfi-
The Conservative membership Of each house is
only SuIHClSHL 10 tOFVL NLAS NNAi~N-~~
auirement that there be minority party
There is little difference. however, IN the prln-
ciples Of the two parties
Although there still are four thousand Ameri-
can troops here, very few Of the men are seen
in the streets. the khaki clad Cuban rurai
guard and the Havana police. dressed IN gen
darme fashion. in light blue uniforms. haFiAs
the entire responsibility for the maintenance u
order.
Governor Magoon is being fairly surfei'su
with invitations TO banquets. and the ciosiHs
days of his administration are filed win oiu'-1.
and social duties. He is preparing fare"7"
decree for PRONUNCIATION on January - dec'ai
ing re-established the ordinary agencies a-4
methods Of government and turning over u
government to President Gomez and the CON
gress.