The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-24
A FAMILY QUARREL.
Republican Senators Disagree Concern.
Ing Cuban Affairs.
ADMINISTRATION DEFENDED.
TOR Spooner Said Postal Frauds
4'versi'y j. ,,,."ral Results.
5Sa "a, unt1 l57S5 5Ss1,as
REPUBLICAN,. s'i''e. RESPONSIBLE
Hale Charged that COmmercialism Was th,
All Powerful Influence.
QUESTION WAS NOW UP TO CONGRESS.
He Said. Soldiers Would Never be
withdrawn from the Island.

Washington. May 2S-This was a day of
rasping political controversy and oratory
in the senate. With the controversy. those
on the democratic side of the chamber.
anomalous as It may seem. had little to
do What by farseeing senators is re-
garded as likely to be the paramount
issue of the approaching National cam
paign, was the subject of two notable
speeches, one by Mr., Plat Comm and
the other by Mr.. Spooner (Wis). The
former was an answer TO the speech de-
livered a few days ago by Mr.. Bacon
tGa.) on his resolution demanding an in
Veetigation OF financial affairs in Cuba.
The speech OF Mr.. spooner was a con-
tinuation Of his address of yesterday on
the Philippine question. In its course he
became involved in a heated and sensa-
tional colloquy with Mr.. Hale (Maine)
over the governments conduct OF affairs
in our "lnsular possessions" 1t was
remarkable controversy between two of
the best equipped debaters in the senate
and was listened to with profound atten-
ton by senators, many representatives
and crowded galleries.
Washington, May 2S.-At the close OF
routine business in the senate today Mr..
Morgan (Ala.) called up his resolution
calling upon the secretary of war and sec
rotary of the navy for information relative
to the cost of transportation of troops
and supplies to the Philippines, and 1t was
agreed to.
The resolution previously offered by Mr..
Bacon Gao directing the committee on
relations with Cuba to make an investiga.
tion regarding the receipts and expendi-
lures of money in Cuba was called up.
Mr. Plat Comm. chairman of the COM
mittee on relations with Cuba, said that
the recent disclosures in Cuba were a
blow to every true citizen of the United
States and that neither the administration
nor the committee on relations with Cuba
needed any prodding from the opposition
party to induce them to make a most
searching investigation aud to use every
effort to punish summariy and severely
a person guilty of wrongdong or fraud
in the island of Cuba.
He proposed to show that President Nc
Knley had demonstrated his determine
ton that no guilty person in the Cuban
fraud should escape. Mr.. Plat said con-
gress could not interfere with the inves-
tigation Instituted by the postmaster gem
eral. He read letter from the postmas-
ter general to Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow who
is charged with conducting tho
ICES Mr.. Brstow, as the ranking posta
officer in Cuba, to make a full and thor.
ough investigation, he TO suggest any re
movals or other action required in the
interest of justice, and concludes as fol.
lows:
you are chosen for this duty With thu
approval OF the president, who is de cpl!
shocked at the shameful betrayal OF trus
on the part OF those in whom confidence
had been imposed and who directs that II
dealing with all Irregularities which hay
been or may be disclosed the sole ruiz
Of action shall be thorough and complete
investigation. the rigorous and unsparinl
prosecution OF all guilty persons and thel
swift and condlgn punishment. You will
communicate these instructions to Genera
Wood, keeping him fully informed as yol
proceed
Mr.. T.ilman asked Mr. Platt in regar'
10 the charges about the seven-mile mill
tary road near Havana, saying he coul'
supply witnesses If an investigation
should be made.
Mr.. Platt SAID this road had been bull
in haste by the quartermasters OF The
army and had cost $4,000.
Nj? Bacon said his information was tina
the cost OF this road had been enormou
and he expected TO prove this before tn
investigation was concluded.
Mr.. Platt charged that Mr.. Bacon's &C
cusations were made for campaign pur
poses.
Continuing. Mr.. Plat said the postal Of
fcisls had been selected with great care
notwt,h standng the subsequent unfortu
nate developments.
Mr.. Plat said that Rarhbone had bee
chosen because OF his knowledge Of tn
postofhce business. As for Medley. b
had the confidence OF all who knew hiI
In Indiana Mr.. Plat expressed willing
ness FOR a congressional investigate
OF Cuban affairs He declared the figure
used by Mr., Bacon in his recent speee
we're unfair as he had contracted n
whole expenses OF Cuba with expense
OF states, Ignoring the separate munlcip'
expenses OF States
About month ago" said Mr.. Plat
General Wood, the governor general
Cuba, was led to suppose thar there IA
been Irregularities in that portion OF a
government OF Cuba under the supervise
! or the director OF posts. He immediate
organized an inspection, which ne un
III sparingly pressed The senator fre
III Georgia fBacon) seems to think. as
some OF the newspapers. that all the ma