The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-05-12
NOTES FROM washington
Comment and Criticism of Admin.
istration Methods by Capital
Correspondent.
WILD EXTRAVAGANCE OF REPUBLICANS.
The Revenues of Cuba Largely Alb
SOrbed by War Department Fa-
vorites-MOre Military Elegance
Provided FOr-PhiIippine News In
Being withheld.
Especial Correspondence.l

Especial Correspondence
Already there are indications of the
extravaganza and disregard of law
which are sure to follow in the wake
of applied imperialism. The republic
an majority in congress is being forced
to consider some of the extravagant
expenditures in Cuba, though they are
very reluctant to do so, fearing the eff
feet which the inevitable disclosures
will have upon the presidential cam
paign.
Mr.. Mckinley. with his usual lack of
tact, brought this discussion upon him
self by sending verbose message to
congress asking permission to have
military officers hold over in Porto
Rico and occupy the civil offices at
double salary until appointments were
made from Washington. This precip-
itated discussion which brought up
the Cuban matter. There have been
stories afioat in Washington for some
time about the lavish expenditure
which characterize the war depart
ment pets who are supposed to be Civ
ing Cuba an idea of what self govern
ment means.
In the case of Cuba, especially, the
administration always has fervently
disclaimed any desire to exploit i'm
perialist notions, and has often as
sured both the Cubans and the people
of the United States that its policy in
that island was purely benevolent.
Of course that may all be, but the
American officers seem to be having a
pretty good time there. There is a
general desire among the democrats
in congress to find out just what the
administration and war department
have been doing with the revenues of
| Cuba. Secretary Root promises that a
| detailed account shall soon be submit
ted to the senate. and it is expected that
| it will make very interesting read
ing.
| Luxury in Cuba.
1t is known that the disbursements
of the Cuban funds up to the close of
1899 reached the tidy sum of $14, 200, 900,
and a great portion of that amount
has been spent in paying the salaries
and incidentals relative to American
occupation of the island. 1t is said
that Gov. Wood manages to draw about
$4,000 a year from various sources,
and other officials in proportion. The
governor generals beautiful palace at
Havana has been refitted for American
use in a style which would make Gen.
| Weyler turn green with envy.
The meat of the whole proposition
| lies in the fact that these army officers
are violating section 1869 of the Re
vised Statutes, which says: mo allow
ance shall be made to officers in addi-
ton to their pay" 1t is said that the
war department will try to shift re-
sponsibilty on the matter by saying
| that it permitted the extra allowance
| from Cuban revenues after the attor-
ney general had so advised. and that
because the amounts were taken from
| the Cuban revenues no law of the
| United States was violated.
The matter of the Cuban extrava-
gance is not in itself so important, it
| is merely a practical illustration OF
what is bound to be done all along the
line if the imperialism is to be the
policy of this country.
In this matter the administration
and its department officers set them
selves above congress and outside
| statute law. and used the revenues
which should have been held in trust
| to pay the debts of Cuba and rebuild
| its shattered industries.
The same thing will be done in Porto
Rico under the new tariff and govern
ment law. The war of subiugation is
being carried on in the Philippines at
an immense cost, for the express pur-
pose of discriminating the natives who
have energy and spirit enough to de-
sire independence. That kind of ma
tives do not lend themselves well to
| trust and corporate exploitation.
When the Cuban matter came up in
| the senate, Senator Platt was inju-
dicious enough to put the administra-
ton policy in nutshell. He declared
that the president could do as he
pleased in Cuba without being respon-
sible to congress for his action"
The democrats have contended all
along that imperialism meant the as
sumption of this irresponsible power
by the president, and that it would be
used to plumber and Cypress the inhab-
itants of the insular possessions.
Military Elegance.
The army and navy appropriation
bills show the same wild desire to spend
money in building up bulwarks for an
autocratic administration. The naval
bill especially provides for the most
luxurious quarters for a lot OF pam
pered cadets at Annapolis. Millions OF
dollars are asked to build barracks for
a few young men who will thus become
untitled for actual ha-d service, should
they ever be needed.
The republicans think that they
have succeeded in leaving the way open
to pay any price they choose for armor
plate, more than $545 ton, should the
Carnegie and Bethlehem combination
desire it. To be sure, strict con-
struction of the amendment on that
point as it now stands in the house
would limit the war department to $500