province were left, until recently, when they were reorganized, almost in every instance by the undersigned, has been the cause why the mentioned developments in the public service are not more extensive, as regards the municipalities of this province, outside the city of Habana, which from the very first moment obtained by its exceptional importance all possible protection in both money and efforts from superior authorities.

A

With the establishment of the municipal police, following closely the mustering out of the Cuban army, the reorganization of the municipalities, and the financial help received recently by them from the general treasury, in order to cover the deficits accrued during the last two quarters of the fiscal year 1898–99, it can be said that the government and administration of this province enter fully into its normal functions, which are expected to bear good results, especially if the following indications are attended to and practiced.

First. To reorganize the municipal police as regards their uniformity in armaments, accouterment, instruction, and salaries, allowing a certain amount for the purpose, which altogether will not greatly exceed what has been already assigned by all municipalities, leaving to the mayor the direction of their respective forces, and appointing a general inspector, whose duty would be to regulate and watch over everything that may be common to the different sections of that department.

Second. To continue covering from the general treasury the deficits resulting from the municipalities until they may be able to obtain by the development of their resources what may be necessary for their self-support.

Third. To enact and enforce a municipal law which will clearly define the attributions of the municipalities and another law of civil and administrative character in connection with the former, which would also state definitely the power and obligations of the civil government.

Fourth. To reduce to one military department the province of Habana, leaving to one military authority the right of supreme inspection, and to the civil authority the right of intervention and initiative in the government of the province as it may be entitled to by the laws to which reference is made hereof.

By these means the services could be regulated, and the uncertainty of the functions corresponding to each one, which determines now a great increase of work, with little or no profit, stops all the energies and initiatives of those that govern as well as of those which are governed, always fearing by lack of a common criterion and a legal direction by which to be guided to involuntarily err and to frustrate the best efforts to improve all conditions would cease; it would show the capacity of the Cuban people to govern itself, as they have demonstrated their prudent and sensible qualities to be governed in the several critical periods undergone during the last months and would simplify the work of the American authorities by conveying to each one more moral peace, more confidence, and more love toward them, as it would tend to make all feelings of distrust and susceptibilities disappear, which are easily irritated through interference in local affairs which the popular sentiment, bearing in mind the state of profound peace and tranquillity that exists, believes now unjustifiable.

I enter into this order of considerations because they can not be suggested by figures and data comprised in inclosed statement, and because I consider my duty to make known to the Âmerican authorities the daily impressions, which in my political, social, and administrative capacity, by virtue of my present position, I gather from the authorities and the people of this province in order that the intervening Government may know the real situation of this territory in its fullest form, and that it may use all proper influence in the most proper direction with respect to further resolutions, bearing in mind that this province by its density of population, by its great number of public, social, commercial, agricultural, industrial, scientific, and beneficial centers, etc., can be considered as the genuine exponent of the general situation of Cuba.

Respectfully,

J. RIUS RIVERA,
Civil Governor.

Statement of the condition of the various municipal districts which compose the province of Habana.