The evening times., 1900-04-21
DEBATED IN TEE SENATE
The Bacon Resolutions Regarding
Army Officers in Cuba.
Mr.. PetffErew supports the Senator
From Georgia and Criticises the
temPts Made to Conceal and
Cover Up Matters I'm the island.

The resolutions offered in the Senate
yesterday by Mr.. Bacon. calling for in
formation as to extra pay TO Army ofh-
GERS in Cuba and Porto Rico, wAo are per-
forming civil duties. and as to expendi-
lures for quarters. horses. mules. equip
ages, etc, for such officers. were laid be-
fore the Senate today.
Remarks were made in support OF the
resolution by Mr.. Petigrew. who eriti-
eised previous statements OF the War De-
partment in reply ID resolutions offered
By him on the subject, and declared that
they were Of a piece with all the other
statements coming from the executive
department, which were meant to conceal
and cover up all that had taken place in
the islands. These remarks were oharac-
te-ize5 by Mr. Hawley, Chairman OF the
Committee on Military Affairs. as alto
gether reckless and unsupported"
Mr. Carter Tended the War Depart
ment and said that he had seen there this
morning four bound volumes Of typewrit-
ten matter prepared in response 10 the Pet
Ggrew resolutions. He spoke Of the una
voidsble extra expenses Of Army officers
Porto Rico. and said that some OF those
officers had made representations 70 the
War Department OF the position in which
ldey were placed being compelled 70 make
expenditures beyond their Army pay The
allowances made In such cases were not
extra pay but were temporary allowances
made by the President TO meet the occas-
ions.
The President. he said. was in supreme
command IN Cuba, answerable in meas
ure, TO Congress, but not dis osing OF any
money over which Congress had direct
control The amounts paid were not paid
out Of the Treasury OF the tnited States,
but cut OF the revenues OF the island and
ere merely to meet the expenses Of the
military occupation
Mr. Platt OF Connecticut argued
that the only question for the
Senate vas whether the allowances
10 Army officers charged with civil ad-
mInistration Of the affairs Of Cuba were
reasonable or we're extrav2gant- There
had been no extravaganza in decorating or
htting up public buildings in Cuba
There had been nothing done about them
except such as was necessary TO mt them
| fer decent residence and for offices. Mr.
Platt ridiculed the idea Of Congress en-
quiring into the plumber bills and the
/ price Of carpets Ind the wages OF cooks
and chambermaids-
rs Congress" he asked, TO legislate
for Cuba? What right has Congress 10
iegislate for Cuba any more than for Cana
| da7''
Mr.. Daniel-Dc acts OF Congress control
/ in Cuba?
Mr. Platt-They do not, and cannot.
/ Cuba is foreign territory.
/ Mr.. Daniel-Do rot the laws Of the Uni
/ ted States as 20 the pay and emoluments
OF army officers apply in Cuba. or do they
not
Mr. Piatt-As to the pay and emolu-
meuts OF Army officers. yes; hut as 10 what
| shall be done IN Cuba. 10. Cuba is un-
| der military authority
Il is in military occupation. That Oc-
I eupation is under executive authority and
/ not under legislative authority.
/ Mr. Daniel expressed his surprise at the
doctrine Of absolutism laid down by Mr..
/ Plat such doctrine. he said. should
not go unehalIeuged- The President Of the
/ United States WIS given certain specific
1 powers under tie Constitution Beyond
/ those his great executive duty was 10 see
/ that the laws were faithfully executed.
II was a new. IL hot purely original
\ idea OF the Senator from Connecticut. that
| the President was so far beyond the laws
Of the United States that Congress could
not determine his duties as military Off
/ GER in executing a specific order.