Cuban local elections, 1900
Encyclopedia
Municipal elections were held in Cuba
on June 16, 1900. The elections were held under the auspices of the U.S. Military Government with a system of restricted suffrage
. 7% of the Cuban population took part in the polls, which saw some important victories for pro-independence sectors.
Candidates for mayoral seats had to present themselves to the de facto mayors named by the Military Government, and provide a register of signatures of between 250-500 voters (depending on the size of the municipality) from the town in support of the candidature.
The Military Order also specified that Scrutinizing Centres (Juntas Escrutinadoras) would be formed across the island, with the task of appointing voters eligible to take part in the elections as well as to supervising the counting of votes.
was wary of the risk of dissent from Cuban ex-army men and the literacy requirement was waived for soldiers and ex-soldiers. The property prerequisite was also waived for soldiers of the Liberation Army.
By not adopting universal suffrage
, the U.S. administration hoped to secure a victory for pro-American conservative forces. The decision to implement limited suffrage had been taken in Washington months before the polls. In the American political debate, it was often argued that the Cuban masses were illiterate and unsuited to have a say in politics. General James H. Wilson
rebuffed Cuban demands for universal suffrage as 'rot'. Furthermore he stated that "[s]uffrage, like any other privilege of citizenship, should be based upon qualifications and its exercise not permitted merely because one happens to belong to the male species." The U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root
thought that limited suffrage would be useful to ensure that Cuba would not fall into "perpetual revolutions" and instead would provide a stable conservative leadership for "control of Cubans by Cubans".
. The campaign successfully forced all potential competitors away from the polls, and the party won the election in the province by default.
During the entire first half of 1900, Military Governor Wood himself worked behind the scenes for the sake of supporting pro-American conservative sectors, trying to cobble together viable conservative electoral coalitions.
, much to the dismay of the U.S. administration. In Havana
, the Cuban National Party candidate Alejandro Rodríguez won with 12,027 votes. The electoral victories of the independentista sector emboldened pro-independence Cubans to exert more pressure on the Americans, for example through raising demands for speedy implementation of the Joint Resolution.
In Santiago de Cuba
, the Republican candidate Tómas Padró Griñán was elected. In Matanzas
, the elections were won by Republicans.
The manning of polling stations and counting of votes were done by Cubans, and U.S. soldiers were not present at the polling stations. However, after the elections the elected mayor had to swear an oath of allegiance
to the U.S. Military Government before taking office.
Less than a year later, on June 1, 1901, fresh local elections were held .
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
on June 16, 1900. The elections were held under the auspices of the U.S. Military Government with a system of restricted suffrage
Suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
. 7% of the Cuban population took part in the polls, which saw some important victories for pro-independence sectors.
Military Order No. 164
The elections for posts for municipal mayors, treasurers and judges were convened by the U.S. Military Government in Cuba, through the Military Order No. 164, issued on April 18, 1900. According to the Military Order, elections were to be held on June 16, 1900 and the elected officials would take office on July 1, 1900. The elected officials would hold office for one year.Candidates for mayoral seats had to present themselves to the de facto mayors named by the Military Government, and provide a register of signatures of between 250-500 voters (depending on the size of the municipality) from the town in support of the candidature.
The Military Order also specified that Scrutinizing Centres (Juntas Escrutinadoras) would be formed across the island, with the task of appointing voters eligible to take part in the elections as well as to supervising the counting of votes.
Electorate
Out of a population of 1,572,797, a total of 150,648 were given voting rights. 110,816 of those eligible took part in the elections. Voting was completely restricted to males. Furthermore, the voter had to be Cuban-born, the son of Cuban-born whilst their parents were temporarily abroad, or a former Spaniard who had renounced his citizenship. The minimum age for eligible voters was 20. They had to be resident in the municipality where they intended to vote for at least thirty days ahead of registration on the electoral roll, as well as being free of felony convictions. Moreover, they had to be literate and own property worth at least USD 250. However, the U.S. Military Governor Leonard WoodLeonard Wood
Leonard Wood was a physician who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba and Governor General of the Philippines. Early in his military career, he received the Medal of Honor. Wood also holds officer service #2 in the Regular Army...
was wary of the risk of dissent from Cuban ex-army men and the literacy requirement was waived for soldiers and ex-soldiers. The property prerequisite was also waived for soldiers of the Liberation Army.
By not adopting universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
, the U.S. administration hoped to secure a victory for pro-American conservative forces. The decision to implement limited suffrage had been taken in Washington months before the polls. In the American political debate, it was often argued that the Cuban masses were illiterate and unsuited to have a say in politics. General James H. Wilson
James H. Wilson
James Harrison Wilson was a United States Army topographic engineer, a Union Army Major General in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author.-Early life and engineering:...
rebuffed Cuban demands for universal suffrage as 'rot'. Furthermore he stated that "[s]uffrage, like any other privilege of citizenship, should be based upon qualifications and its exercise not permitted merely because one happens to belong to the male species." The U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root
Elihu Root
Elihu Root was an American lawyer and statesman and the 1912 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level government positions in Washington, D.C...
thought that limited suffrage would be useful to ensure that Cuba would not fall into "perpetual revolutions" and instead would provide a stable conservative leadership for "control of Cubans by Cubans".
Campaigning
The electoral process was marred by irregularities. In the province of Las Villas, there was a campaign of violent intimidation carried out by the party of the provincial governor José Miguel Gómez, the Federal Republican Party of Las VillasFederal Republican Party of Las Villas
The Federal Republican Party of Las Villas was a political party in Las Villas, Cuba. The party was founded in 1899 by the provincial governor José Miguel Gómez and Carlos Mendieta y Montefur. Pelayo García Santiago was the president of the party. Prominent party members included General José B....
. The campaign successfully forced all potential competitors away from the polls, and the party won the election in the province by default.
During the entire first half of 1900, Military Governor Wood himself worked behind the scenes for the sake of supporting pro-American conservative sectors, trying to cobble together viable conservative electoral coalitions.
Results
In many parts of the islands the elections were a success for the independentista Cuban National PartyCuban National Party
The Cuban National Party was a political party in Cuba. At the very beginning of the 20th century, it was one of the three main political parties on the island. The party favoured independence for Cuba.-History:...
, much to the dismay of the U.S. administration. In Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, the Cuban National Party candidate Alejandro Rodríguez won with 12,027 votes. The electoral victories of the independentista sector emboldened pro-independence Cubans to exert more pressure on the Americans, for example through raising demands for speedy implementation of the Joint Resolution.
In Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city of Cuba and capital city of Santiago de Cuba Province in the south-eastern area of the island, some south-east of the Cuban capital of Havana....
, the Republican candidate Tómas Padró Griñán was elected. In Matanzas
Matanzas
Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. It is famed for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore.It is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas , east of the capital Havana and west of the resort town of Varadero.Matanzas is called the...
, the elections were won by Republicans.
The manning of polling stations and counting of votes were done by Cubans, and U.S. soldiers were not present at the polling stations. However, after the elections the elected mayor had to swear an oath of allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
to the U.S. Military Government before taking office.
Aftermath
After the holding of the municipal polls, the Military Government issued another Military Order on July 25, 1900, convening elections to a Constituent Assembly.Less than a year later, on June 1, 1901, fresh local elections were held .