Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-24
tBy Telegraph to vlrginlan-ptlot)

Washington, d. c., May 23.-This was
day of rasping political controversy
and oratory in Tie Senate. With the
controversy those on the Democratic
side of the chamber, anomalous as it
may seem, had little to do. What, by
far-scelng Senators is regarded as
likely to be the paramount issue of the
approaching national campaign, was
the subject of two notable speeches.
one by Mr.. Plat, of Connecticut. and
the other by Mr. Spooner, of Wisconsin,
Inc former was in answer 20 the
speech delivered Il few days ago by Mr..
bacon. Of Georgia, on his resolution de-
mandinS an investigation of financial
affairs in Cuba. Mr.. Platt favored the
adoption of the resolution. but deprc-
Gated what he declared was Il cheap
effort to make political capital out OF Il
shameful condition of affairs. which the
NcpuDllcan party needed no prodding to
induce 1t to probe to the bottom.
The speech of Mr.. SpOoncr was u CON
tinuation Of his address Of yesterday on
the Philippine question. IN it's course
he became involved in IL heated and
sensational culloQuy with Mir. Hale. of
Maine. over the governments conduct
or AFFAIRS in our "insular POSSESSIONS"
A. was remarkable controversy be-
Tween two OF the best equipped de-
baters in the Senate MIR. Spooner will
continue his speech tomorrow.
MORGAN RESOLUTION AGREED
TO.
The Morgan resolution, calling on the
secretaries of the war ana OF the navy
Tor Information relative to tile cost or
transportation of troops and supplies to
the Philippines, was agreed 10.
me Bacon resolution, directing the
Committee on Rotations with Cuba 10
investigate the receipts anu expendi-
lures in Cuba, was called up
Mr.. Plat, chairman OF that commit
tee. spoke thereon ut length General
WOOD, he said, had been led to suppose.
about month ago. that there had been
irregularities in the service under MIR
Rathbone. lie Immediately pressed an
unsparing inspection He gave General
Wood credit for the discovery of these
wrongdoings ana the administration
credit for probing them to the bottom
The disclosures, he added are a direct
blow to every citizen OF lie United
States and the Wrcngloing of Nicely
the more SAD and shameful since it oc-
CURED where = great work of freedom
and philanthropy is going on. Neither
the Republican administration nor the
Committee on cuban Relations he in
Sisted. needed any prodding from tho
opposition party to induce most
searching Investigation ana summary
punishment of all the Wrongdoers. But
he reminded the Democrats that thig
has been the first instance of its kind
during the administration. and argued
that President Mckinley has demon
strated his determination that no guilty
man in these cuban frauds shall es-
cape.
EXTENT or TIE LOSSES.
The amount OF the irtegularities in
Cuba appear TO have been about $45.-
COO during the last year The frauds
may have begun earlier But 1t is not
supposed there VIII bc 4 loss to the Gu
ban revenues or TO the Irnitad Stntns
Treasury. This trouble has hoen seized
upon by our political opponents to indi-
cate by inuendo and not by direct
charge that the fraud has been whole
sale, and that the Cuban people have
been "piundercd" out of millions of
dollars by dishonest contracts ma Va
rious fraudulent devices. Who kro,y,
there have been dishonest contracts
down there? Nobody, but if there have
been we shall find out.
He protested against Congress inter
fering with the investigation instituted
by the Postmaster General as Ii,,n,,, ~
defeat the ends OF Justice
He then read Il letter from Postmae-
ter General Smith to Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Brstow who Is
charged with conducting the investjeo-
ton. 1t follows:
L y
tant Postmaster General.
Sir-Supplementary to my letter OF
May 12 directing you to proceed at once
to Cuba, the following further instruo
lions are given for your guidance:
You VIII Immediately on your arrival
at Havana confer freely and fully with
General Wood, military governor, and
will keen IN constant communication
with him in the work on which YOU en-
ter. You will cooperate with the mill
tary governor both in the investigation
OF all Irregularities in the postal service
OF Cuba and in any measures for the
reorganization of the system that may
be undertaken
The examination by the Inspectors.
already provided for. viii have begun
before your arrival You will assume
general supervision of this examination
ana will enforce the instruction hereto
fore given that it shall be of the most
searching and thorough character. If
you find that YOU need still larger
force for the prompt and complete per-
Torrance Of this duty. you will call for
It, The Investigation must be compre-
hensive and minute, covering every
branch of the service and all classes OF
officials. It's prosecution must be gov
erned solely by the purpose of ascer