PROJECTS BEING STUDIED. PROVINCE OF MATANZAS. Repairs to light of first class of Bahia de Cadiz.-At the present time plans and specifications are being made for extensive repairs to above light, which is situated on the key of Bahia de Cadiz, 60 miles northeast of the port of Cárdenas, and said plans will be submitted for the approval of the secretary. PROVINCE OF SANTA CLARA. Channel markings of port of Caibarien.-In accordance with orders from the secretary, plans and specifications are being prepared for the complete marking of the channels and bars of the port of Caibarien, which as soon as completed will be submitted for approval. Repairs to light of first class of Paredon Grande.-In accordance with orders received, I made a visit of inspection to the light of the first class of Paredon Grande, situated on a key of that name 90 miles northeast of Caibarien, and am now making, and will in a short time submit for approval, plans and specifications for extensive repairs which are urgently needed on this light-house, as well as on the house used as a residence by the keeper who has charge of the light as well as of the rotating machinery. Works of construction on the light-houses of Villanueva and Piedras del Sur key.—There is on file in this office sufficient history and data in regard to these places to permit the making of the plans and specifications necessary for the reconstruction of the lights of the sixth class at Villanueva and Piedras del Sur key, the former being situated at the entrance of the port of Cienfuegos and the latter 51 miles southwest of said port. The engineer who signs this has requested authority to make the necessary plans and specifications for the reconstruction of these lights, and in view of the urgent need of the reconstruction of the light at Villanueva and the fact that there is no house for the protection of the keeper of the light, except a native hut, and also the fact that the tower that supports the lantern is actually unsafe and not strong enough to support same during the hurricanes that are frequent here, he began the plans for the reconstruction of this light-house in the hope that authority would be given him to continue same, but this work has been stopped because the engineer who signs this has not yet received the competent authority to go on with such work. SERVICES RENDERED. The ordinary work of this office is the provisioning and preservation of the 10 light-houses of this region. The service of communication with the light-houses is now being carried on by verbal orders, but the same are now being edited and will be forwarded for the approval of the secretary, together with the sheet of conditions which govern the letting of the contract (by auction) to be celebrated for the definite adjudication of the services of communication, with the lights which are provided for the ports of Cárdenas and Cienfuegos. CONCLUSION. The expenses incurred in works executed and in services rendered in this region during the first six months of this year and charged in the proper paragraphs of the current budget are shown in the following table. Nothing has been done in regard to cart roads for the reason that no allowance was made in the current budget for this important public work, and for the same reason nothing has been done in the construction of wharves and warehouses. J. M. PORTUONDO, Chief Engineer of Central Region. MATANZAS, July 18, 1899. Recapitulation of the expenses of the bureau of public works in the provinces of Matanz and Santa Clara (which constitute the central region) from January 1 to June 30, 1899. SPECIAL REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. JAMES H. WILSON, U. S. V., COMMANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF MATANZAS AND SANTA CLARA, ON THE INDUSTRIAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS EXISTING IN THE DEPARTMENT AT THE DATE OF AMERICAN OCCUPATION AND AT THE PRESENT TIME. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MATANZAS AND SANTA CLARA, ADJUTANT GENERAL, Headquarters Division of Cuba, Habana. SIR: In compliance with the instructions contained in your letter of August 18, 1899, I submit the following special report on the industrial, economical, and social conditions existing in the territory covered by this department at the date the United States assumed control, and also at the present time, for the purpose of showing the net results of the American administration of municipal and provincial affairs. ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES INITIAL RELIEF MEASURES. After the protocol and the cessation of hostilities, and shortly before the arrival of the United States forces in this part of the island, most of the Spanish judicial municipal, and provincial authorities resigned, and their places were filled by temporary appointments, selected by the Spanish commanders principally from the Autonomistic party, or from "pacificos" who had taken no part in the revolution. These officials, as a class, were generally worthy and capable men, sincerely interested in the maintenance of order, in the reconstruction of civil government, and in the reestablishment of industry and commerce. In every instance that came under my observation they performed their duties loyally and faithfully, maintaining perfect order, and, as far as was within their power, relieving suffering and want in their respective jurisdictions. They were assisted in this by the charity of those Cubans who had saved a part of their substance, and by the timely arrival of rations and medical supplies sent out by the President of the United States in the steamer Comal, or furnished afterwards by the authority of the military governor of the island. These supplies were distributed generally through committees appointed by the alcaldes, and in every instance it is confidently believed they reached the sick and starving people for whom they were intended. They came at a time when industry and commerce were paralyzed and production was at its lowest stage, and they were issued in such manner as to do an almost incalculable amount of good. The timely foresight and generosity of this assistance was fully appreciated by the Cubans, and is worthy of the highest commendation. CUBAN ARMY-RETALIATION SUPPRESSED-MATANZAS PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS. Upon the evacuation of the island by the Spanish troops, the Cuban army became an active factor in the control of civil affairs. As the officers and men were furloughed they immediately entered into competition for both public and private employment. Some were at once engaged as municipal, rural, and private police; others became candidates for office, while the greater number gradually returned to their homes and found employment in the trades or on the farms and plantations. As a class they behaved with sobriety and moderation, and manifested a genuine desire to reestablish their homes and resume the business of peaceful and law-abiding citizens. At first they showed here and there a disposition to wreak vengeance on Spanish subjects resident in the island, and especially on those who had been active as Spanish volunteers, but this was immediately repressed by my orders. It was announced that every Cuban might celebrate our coming, and rejoice to his heart's content over 329 the expulsion of the Spanish forces and the establishment of Cuban independence, but that it must be distinctly understood that the rights of such as did not for any reason care to join in the celebration must be absolutely respected. Both Cubans and Spaniards were notified that, so far as the United States were concerned, the past must be regarded as a sealed book; that peace and good order must be preserved, and that the rights of all, without respect to race or allegiance, to pursue their pri vate occupations without interference from any quarter must be considered as the supreme law of the land. This rule was at once cheerfully accepted by Cubans and Spaniards alike, and, except in a few personal instances, has been observed in all the cities, towns, and villages throughout both provinces of this department. It is believed that it is now generally recognized as not only right and just in itself, but that it is well calculated to promote the best interests of the commonwealth. At all events, perfect peace and tranquillity prevail between all classes, colors, and races, and there is no apparent reason to fear that this is not a stable condition of the people. When it is remembered that the white race is largely in the majority; that both the white Spaniards and Cubans, as well as colored people, are sober, orderly, lawabiding, and generally industrious, it may be fairly hoped that with the reestablishment of a reasonable degree of prosperity this gratifying state of affairs will continue to prevail. The resignation of the late Autonomistic civil governor of the province of Matanzas and the appointment of his successor has been fully explained in my annual report of August 1. No further reference to the incident seems to be called for, except to point out that my recommendation was given to the gentleman selected not only for merit, but upon the broad ground that, all other things being equal, the officers of the successful revolution should have preference for civil employment over those who had supported the Spanish Government or stood neutral between it and those who were contending for independence. This conclusion seems to be accepted as fair by all classes in this department, and needs only to be stated to receive general recognition and approval. CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND ADMINISTRATION. The administrative authorities of the provinces under Spanish rule were: 1. A civil governor, appointed by the Governor-General and holding office at the will of the latter during good behavior. 2. A diputacion provincial, elected by popular vote and holding office four years. 3. A comision permanente, composed of five members of the diputacion, selected by the provincial governor. The powers and the duties of these authorities, and the method of their appointment, as given in the Leyes Provisional, are more fully alluded to in my report of February 20 on the province of Matanzas, under the head of "Government," page 21 et seq. The diputacion provincial and the comision permanente having been abolished as expensive and unnecessary, the civil governors, with their secretaries, clerks, and a few executive policemen and messengers, constitute the entire civil government, which has no revenue of its own and is supported directly by the insular treasury. From the first, under instructions from the military governor of the island, I have, as far as possible, conducted all business of a civil nature, whether pertaining to provincial or municipal affairs, through the channels of civil administration, and generally through the civil governor. The only exception to this rule is made in the case of rural police of the province of Santa Clara, which by direction of superior authority is controlled by a chief, who receives his instructions from these headquarters, and makes all reports directly to the adjutant-general of the department. I renew my recommendation that the control of this body be transferred to the civil governor, and that it be by him disbanded, or distributed to the municipal police, as recommended on page 21, et seq., of my report of June 20 on the province of Santa Clara, and in my communication of June 19 on that subject. This method of transacting the public business has worked smoothly and satisfactorily. Both the governors and all the mayors, with one exception, have given most cheerful and loyal support to the military authorities, and, in turn, the latter have done all in their power to cultivate friendly relations with the Cuban officials to minimize military interference with the civil administration, as far as practicable confining their efforts to the protection of the property rights of foreigners, the maintenance of order, the relief of the sick and indigent, the shelter and support of the widows and orphans, and to the supervision of such sanitary work as seemed necessary to protect the troops from infectious diseases and to promote the health of the people. În no instance have the municipal or provincial authorities been turned out of their official buildings, nor have I occupied or permitted my staff to occupy any municipal or provincial residences for personal or private use. All general officers and their headquarters and all administrative staff officers have occupied rented buildings. The troops have been quartered in Spanish barracks, where the latter could be disinfected, repaired, and made suitable. The damage inflicted upon private property and the rentals for the sites of all barracks and camps situated on private lands have been settled by the quartermaster's department or fixed by boards of officers convened therefor. It is believed that no reasonable ground for complaint has been left in any single instance. JUDICIARY. The judiciary within the provinces of this department has been almost, if not entirely, changed in its personnel, and it is hoped that these changes will result in avoiding, to a great extent, delays in trials which have so characterized the workings of the courts in the past. The abolishment in July last of the "incomunicacion" of persons arrested or undergoing trial, and the creation of rights for such persons to have counsel and to refuse to give incriminating evidence, marks an epoch in criminal proceedings in the island. There is yet lacking, however, a sufficient number of courts of competent jurisdiction in criminal matters, as well as effective means of securing the attendance of witnesses. These defects, together with centralization of trials for crimes in the audiencias, with which communication is difficult and expensive, result in the overcrowding of jails, now a distinctive feature in this department. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. As there seems to be some doubt in the minds of the superior authorities in reference to the development and character of municipal government in this island, I call attention to the fact that the Spanish laws in force on that subject are not only comprehensive, but based on correct principles. It is evident, however, that under the old régime they were corruptly administered in the interest of the Spaniards and Spanish officials, rather than for the benefit of the Cubans; but nobody understands this, or the change in practice which should be made, better than the present municipal authorities. It can not be determined when such municipal governments were first established in the island of Cuba, but it is certain that city councils were in existence in Sancti Spíritus and Trinidad, both in this department, from the date of their foundation, in 1514. From an examination of the history of Cuban laws, it appears that these councils were governed by orders given at Havana as early as 1574. From that date the municipal laws seem to have taken on a more definite form and to have passed through various modifications, becoming systematized into complete codes in 1846, 1867, and 1870. The present municipal law was decreed in 1878 and is now in force with certain modifications made since that time. Under existing provincial and municipal laws the province of Matanzas is now divided into 24 and the province of Santa Clara into 28 municipalities. The number of municipalities in these provinces has varied within narrow limits. The government of a municipality consists of an ayuntamiento and a municipal junta. The ayuntamiento is composed of the mayor, assistant mayor, and aldermen. The latter, under Spanish rule, were elected by popular vote and held office for four years. Vacancies in the offices of the mayor and assistant mayors are now filled by appointment by the military governor of the island, and vacancies in the offices of aldermen, without definite provision of law and in the absence of elections, are filled by the civil governors. The municipal junta is composed of the members of the ayuntamiento and a number of associate members equal to the number of aldermen, but under existing conditions the junta seems to be a supernumerary and unnecessary organization. The details of the organization of both provincial and municipal government have been quite fully given in my report of February 16, 1899, on the province of Matanzas, page 21 et seq. Attention is, however, called to the fact that the qualification of electors under the electoral law of June 26, 1890, is that all male citizens over 25 years of age who enjoy their full civil rights and have lived at least two years in the municipality are entitled to vote, provided they are not disqualified by sentence for certain criminal offenses, bankruptcy or insolvency, or as delinquent taxpayers or paupers. The duties pertaining to municipal offices are accurately set forth in the municipal laws above referred to. Like most Spanish laws, these are complete in their details, and it may be said that the present success of municipal administration is largely due |