The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-04-24
SENATE.


Washington, April 21.-After a dis
cussion lasting more than two Eours
the senate today agreed to the two
resolutions offered yesterday by SEN
ator Bacon, of Georgia. calling 1por
the secretary of war for information
as to the allowances made to army
officers stationed in Cuba and Porto
Rico and the sums expended in pro-
viding quarters, equipages and other
conveniences for them. The debate
took a wide range, many senators par
ticipating in it.
Consideration of the Quay case vas
resumed and Senator Perkins, of Cal
ifornia, presented an argument favor
able to Mr.. Quays claim to q seat in
the senate under the governors !p-
pointment.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, offered
and secured the adoption of a resolu-
tion directing the attorney general to
send TO the senate statement Of the
action taken by him in the case of
Jorge Cruz, a resident of Porto Rico,
alleged to have been brought into this
country under a contract to labor in
the United States; and what steps if
any, have been taken or are in con-
temptation, looking to proceedings
against either the said Jorge Cruz or
the party bringing him into the United
States"
When the two resolutions offered by
Senator Bacon yesterday were laid be-
fore the senate the senior senator from
South Dakota delivered a characteris-
tic address in support of the resolu-
tiOnS. lie criticised vigorously the
statements made by the president and
war department in response to mis- res
olutions, maintaining they We're not
complete, or satisfactory.
Senator Hawley, chairman of the
military affairs committee, resented
the statements of the South Dakota
senator as reckless and unwarrant-
ed" and asserted that all information
required by the senate would be fur
nished in due time.
Senator Carter, of Montana, x. an
explanation Of the subject,
had investigated said that additional
salaries hod not been granted to army
officers in cuba or in Porto Rico. When
the United States assumed the func-
tionS Of government in Cuba and Porto
Rico, army officers We're assigned to
perform civil as we'll as military duties.
These offs eers, Senator Carter SAID
were thrust into positions where their
expenses necessarily were conSidera-
bly, increaSe Sed. He inStanced the case
of an officer of his own acquaintance
who found it impossible to meet his
additional necessary expenses out Of
his regular pay. He, therefore, asked
to be relieved from duty in Cuba or
be given an allowance of expenses. lie
was given an allowance of 81, 800 year
because the secretary of war and the
president felt that the officer ought
not virtually to be fined for the per-
formance of duties to which he vas
assigned.
Senator Tillman suggested that t
might be we'll to wait until the res
| olutionS were answered before enter
| ing upon a discussion of them. I'VE
| on the other side" said he, want to
know something on this question and
| have not had the advantage of infor-
nation from the war Department.
Senator Bacon, the author Of the res
| olutions, discussed them at length.
| He dissented strongly from the posi-
ton that the president could collect
| and disburse, according to his unre-
| strained judgment, the revenues o.
| Cuba. He did not have that unlimited
| power. He maintained that the law nf
| the United States expressly forbade
| the giving of army officers any addi-
| tional compensation above their reg
! ular pay. If allowances were necassa-
! ry by reason of their assignment 70
| duty in Cuba, the matter ought to
| have been brought. in his opinion, 10
| the attention of congress. He believ
! ed it was a dangerous precedent for
the executive branch of the govern
ment to fail into the habit Of violating
! the law thus openly.
Can we not direct the president %
| withdraw the army from Cuba?' in
! quired Senator Tillman.
| That is one thing we can do. re-
| piled Senator Platt. of Connecticut.
! DO not the acts Of congress control
{ in ha q
/ Virginia.
NO" replied Senator Platt. sharply
DO not the laws of the United g.
| as TO the pay and emoluments Of Off
GERS of the army apply in Cuba?' pe.-
! sisted Senator Daniel.
LAS to the pay and emoluments Of
army officers. yes" replied Senat.!
Platt, but as to what shall be done
! in Cuba, no. Our occupation If Cuo1
is military and is under executive and
| not legislative authority"
Where does the president r@E 7"
great authority" again asked Senator
Daniel.
From the constitution replied Sen
| ator Platt. "As n-chlef OF
| the army, the president has authority
| far beyond the power which may DC
conferred upon him by congr ess-
Senator Daniel. replying TO Senator
| Platt, expressed surprise at the state
I licHlS Ildue Dy the COAHcSNAcNt 0~Ao
tor. It was the first time he said, hat
he had ever heard the doctrine of ab-
solutism Of the president OF the United
States asserted on the senate floor
Such a doctrine said he. "shou'9 Z
not go unchallenged here. The presi-
dent of the United States is given GER
tain specific powers under the con-
stitution. Beyond this, his executive
duty is to see that the laws are faith
| fully executed
Isn't this simply the blossoming OF
the imperialistic tree suggested Sen
| ator Tillman.
"It is not the blossoming OF the tree. >