Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-14
NEW REGIME In CUBA.
Meeting Of Congress Yesterday Marks
Beginning Of Intervention.
ELDEST MEMBERS PRE-
II
Initial Session is Devoted to Passil
Upon Credentials. +
MAG0oN RETRES THIS MONTH
Government Will Be Formally Turned
MAGooN RETREs THIS MONTH
Government Will Be Formally Turned
Over to President Gomez.
PROGRAM OF ADMINISTRATION
First Measures VIII Provide for
LeEaIisatiOn of Cock Fighting
and Creation of National
Lottery.

HAVANA. Jan. 13.-Although the reins
OF self-government will not be officially
turned over to the Cuban authorities until
January 2S when the Inauguration Of Pres
idcnt Miguel Gomez and Vice President
Alfredo zayas will take place, the meet
ing today OF the new Cuban congress in
initial session marked the beginning of the
end Of the second period Of American inter.
vention In the island, which began with
the breaking out CT the revolution in Au-
gust. 1906
The purpose of the meeting was merely
to pass upon the credentials OF members
At the senate building there was no out
ward indication that an important change
in government affairs was beginning. The
twsnty-four senators met shortly after noon
and submitted their credentials. and these
will be canvassed by committee before
permanent organization OF the body Is ef-
fected. The eighty-two members of the
house gathered In the new house Of repre-
scntatives building. The sessions In the
senate and the house both were of brief
Duration and unattended by the formality
or speech making.
F,r the first time in the history of the
republ the house enjoyed the dignity Of
occupying its own home, having met dur
Ing the former period OF independence In
an old tobacco warehouse. The new quar-.
ters are quite palatial, A crowd of two
score persons gathered outside the building
as the house met. but only few of them
gained admission to the gallery, owing to
the limited space there. much larger
crowd gathered throughout the day to
watch the progress Of work on the massive
Iear Central park for the inaugur't ticn on
January 2S.
Eldest Members Preside.
In both the senate and the house the pre-.
siding officer who today was the eldest
member of each body, sits at the end of q
quadrangular hall, the legislators sit In
long rows facing each other in typica
Cuban fashion. their sides TO the presiding
officers desk.
Several OF the senators were hold-oveI
members from ths congress dissolved In
1906, when the American government as
sumed direction Of affairs following the
revolution. The members OF the house arC
all new, having been chosen in the recen
election. The senators and representative
are a substantial looking body of men.
The sessions opened with the tinLling o
bell three times as a preliminary sigma
and then once five minutes later. Their
was no formality OF prayer as in the Ameri
can congress- but an immediate commence
ment OF business. The decree issued b,
Provisional Governor Magoon convokin
the congress makes a very strict require
ment for the attendance of members
Neither senators nor representatives Wi
receive pay when absent from roll call
without leave and neither house will
permitted to grant leaves of absence t
more than one-sixth Of its membership a
one time. These rules have been the sui
Ject Of much discussion among the mem
bers and undoubtedly will be amended a
soon as the Americans quit the islands.
Cock Fighting and Lottery.
Bills establishing cock fighting and
national lottery will be among the first {
be introduced. The Liberal party is sal
to favor lottery ana its members ar
openly announcing that a bill providin
for cock fighting win be one OF the firs
measures to be introduced. The party ais
favors liberal educational program.
law providing for the arbitration of di:
putes between capital and labor and tn
appointment OF q commission to revise III
tariff. The conservative embership OF eac
house is only sufficient to cover the col
stitutional requirement that there be
minority party.
The second period OF American interveI
tion has been made as unobtrusive as POI
sible. Although there are still 1000 trooI
here, very few OF the men are seen in II
streets OF the city. the khaki-clad Cuba
rural guard and the Havana police dresse
in gendarme fashion In light blue un
forms having the entire responsibility Il
the maintenance Of order. The Cuban fla
has floated over the palace throughout Il
rule OF the provisional government. Co
ernOr Magoon In reality having been
Cuban official for the time being. sctir
under the Plat amendment to the Cuba
constitution.
Governor Magoon Is preparing a far
well decree for PRONUNCIATION January
declaring re-established the ordinary age
oies and methods Of government and tur
ing the government over to President G.
meg and congress. The purpose OF Anne
iean intervention to restore order and pea.
and public confidence will be declared
have been accomplished.