Evening star., 1909-03-07

Jurisdiction Of tho standing army. and
this was attempted by Gomez. Tnfor-
tunately an old feud exists between the
artillery corps tthe nucleus of the army
Palma administration clashes were not
unknown between armed groups Of the
respective corps. and the order attaching
the guards to their ancient enemies met
with instant resistance
When Gen. Brooke was assigned to the
command OF Cuba he called to his councils
number of able and distinguished
Cubans, who were placed at the head OF
various departments of the government.
Since that time the departments have
been administered by tradition instead
OF by law, as there existed no statute
fixing the responsibilities limiting tho
powers of the presidents cabinet or or
ganzng the bureaus Of the public bust
ness.
This anamalous condition was rcmedied
by the advisory commission. which draft
cd what Was. probably. one Of it's most
important laws. by which tho government
itself is organized and given form and
substance. The depIftments are similar
in their operation to the system in the
United States with the exception o.
secretaries of war and navy. An attempt
was made to organize department of
advisory commission wisely voted it
down.
Almost the last law to he promulgated
before the end of the provisional govern
ment was a law establishing a civil serY
Ice. by which competent public servants
may obtain employ yment I'm the newly or
ganiZed departments of the government
1t was with some difficulty that the
American members of the advisory com
mission were able to impress the objects
nf hn 1.,ur ,,f
their colleagues-athough the latter were
quick TO grasp the significance of the
permanence in Office feature and the libe-
rails. being in the majority in Cuba. pre-
vailed upon the governor to set the date
upon which the law shall take effect as
far ahead the first of next July-by
which time most of the conservatives will
have been turned out of office and their
places filled by liberals.
X =
The labors of the advisory commission
were characterized by tranquil delibera-
ton and sound judgment. The members
realized the importance of their work and
met the different problems presented in
a spirit of moderation and conciliation.
Honest differences of opinion were
thrashed out and compromises were ef-
fected In patriotic effort to accomplish
the best results.
AS a preliminary to the electoral law,
a general census Of the island was under
taken and completed at a heavy expense.
and il serves as d basis for future GEN.
sus operations. This work was under the
direction of Mr.. Victor Olmstead. who
was sent from Washington for the pur
pose. Gen. Monteagudo. the recently ap-
pointed commander of the mutnous ru-
raj guards. was Mr.. Olmsteads assist
ant in the census work.
The Senate building was assigned to
the commission a meeting place. 4
large hall of sessions was properly fur
niShed and offices were assigned to the
secretary, the translators and other at
taches of the commission. The Americans,
by their industrious application and en-
ergy, made a profound impression upon
their Cuban associates, and. several
of the latter have seats in the new con-
gress, the example of hard work and in
tellgent action is bound to have a bene-
ficial effect upon the legislative acts OF
that body.