"The injury done to Cuba, and the evil
effects produced by this commercial legisla-
tion, are beyond calculation ; its effects have
been material losses which engendered pro-
found discontent. The 'Circulo de H^cen-
dados y Agricultores,' the wealthiest corpora-
tion of the Island, last year passed judgment
on these commercial laws in the following
severe terms :

" ' It would be impossible to explain, should
the attempt be made, what is the signijfication
of the present commercial laws, as regards
any economical or political plan or system ;
because, economically, they aim at the de-
struction of public wealth, and, politically,
they are the cause of inextinguishable discon-
tent, and contain the germs of grave dissen-
sions.''

"But Spain has not taken heed of this;
her only care has been to keep the producers



A POWBBFUL APPEAL. 153

and merchants of such rebellious provinces as
Catalonia contented, and to satisfy its military
men and bureaucrats.
" For the latter is reserved the best part of
the booty taken from Cuba. High salaries
and the power of extortion for the office-
holders sent to the colony ; regular tributes
for the politicians who uphold them in the
metropolis. The Governor General is paid a
salary of $50,000, in addition to a palace, a
country house as a summer resort, servants,
coaches, and a fund for secret expenses at his
disposal. The Director General of the Treas-
ury receives a salary of |18,500. The Arch-
bishop of Santiago and the Bishop of Havana,
$18,000 each. The Commander General of
the 'Apostadero' (naval station), $16,392.
