joice over American occupation because it had proved a blessing to them, and because it had brought about reforms which they could probably never have brought about themselves unaided by the wisdom and active cooperation of American officials.

It was worth while noting that Mr. Rathbone, like the other American officials in Cuba, was following practical civil service reform ideas. He was using the help he found in the offices, and he was discharging no one except for cause, such as inefficiency and dishonesty. At the time of my visit he owned that he had found it necessary to seclude himself from callers to some extent, in order to get through with his work. There were quite a few stranded Americans in the country, and, with the true idea of the American when he gets out of money or out of a job, they were turning to the government to get places. The stranded Americans, none of whom had experience in postal matters, with possibly one or two. exceptions, were flocking to him to get work. They had no idea that special training was required in post-office work, especially in Cuba. They wanted work. He was an American, and they were Americans, and a good many of them could not understand why they could not have jobs right away. They were beginning to exercise their "pulls" at home, and he was having something of a task in standing them off. But the great changes which he brought about in less than two months revealed not only his success in this respect, but also told their own story of his efficiency and fidelity.

One thing that Mr. Rathbone said to me ought to be spread before the people of the United States, and I have

his permission to quote him. He came in contact with the real people of Cuba probably to a greater extent than any of the government officials that the United States sent to the island. He met men of every degree. He had to travel among them, and to seek out their wants in connection with his department. His intercourse was with the masses rather than with former officials or military men. In the language of the politicians of our country, he had to get right down among the plain people, and it is doubtful if any American sent down there had better opportunities to become acquainted with them. This is what he said to me for publication, as coming from him as the result of his experiences, and it is well worth the sober second thought of those who assert that the Cubans are a worthless people, half civilized, and unworthy of all that the United States has undertaken or has had to undertake in their behalf because of the Weyler atrocities and the destruction of the Maine:

"The people of the United States have a wrong impression of the Cubans. They are kind, gentle, tractable, and easy to get along with. By kindness you can do anything in the world with them. I have studied them closely, and that is my belief. The Cubans are naturally lethargic. They live in a climate that is enervating. They do not step off quite as quickly as Americans do, and they are inclined to put off until to-morrow everything they can, and are not as prompt as Americans. I think, however, that Cuba has advanced very much in the last fifty days."

CHAPTER VIII

TAXATION AND MATTERS OF FINANCE IN HAVANA

N the orders assigning General Ludlow to become the military governor of the city of Havana and its suburbs there was a direction that he should cause an investigation to be made as to the income and expenses of the city, and also as to the methods of taxation employed. The object was not only to obtain accurate and necessary information for the proper administration of the affairs of a large city under American military control, but also to correct such evils of grave importance as might be discovered. There was little doubt that such evils did exist.

In accordance with his instructions, General Ludlow issued an order, almost as soon as he reached Havana, establishing what was called a Finance Commission. The order was dated January 14th. A commission of six members was appointed to find out the exact condition of the city treasury-to learn the exact sources of revenue of the city; how this revenue was collected, accounted for, and where it was deposited; to learn the full disposition of the money collected, how it was spent, by whom, and on what authority; to learn particulars of the bonded debt and other obligations of the city,