The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-25
GEN. OTIS IS DOUBTED
Truth of a Statement Made by Hin
Called Into Question.
THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN,
Mr. Spooncr Resumed bis Speech
Begun Two Days Bciorc-Sone Of
His Statements Warmly Con-
troyericd by Senators Alien
and Pctti@rcw-Pro-
cecdin.s OF House

WASHINGTON. May 24.-The duty Of
the United States towards lis "isand pos
sessions was the subject Of heated dis
cussion in the Senate again to-day Soon
after the Senate convened Mr.. Bacon, Of
Georgia, began an extended reply to the
speech of Mr. Platt, OF Connecticut, deliv-
cred yesterday. His resolution, to which
there is ltUe or no opposition, under tie
rules, went to the Committee on Conth-
gent Expenses.
The remainder Of the afternoon was oc-
cupied by Mr.. Spooner, OF Wisconsin, IN
concluding his speech on the Philippine
question. Many of his statements were
controverIed by Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska,
and Mr.. Pet,igrew, of South Dakota; and
the controversy at times became almost
personal.
a bill providing for the investigation of
the historical archives and public records
of the several States and Territories and
of the United States with d view to their
preservation by publication, was passed
The conference report on the Indian ap-
preparation bill was agreed to.
SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.
Mr. Bacon, of Georgia, then called up
his resolution, and made his reply TO Mr.
PlatI.
He denied any purpose Of making any
campaign matter, and said in view OF
what had 3een disclosed it was unre2son-
able to ask that the investigation be left
To the Postoiiice Department. The con-
struction of the military railway along
the Havana Elarbor, Mr.. Bacon said, had
cost $343,611. and the matter ought 10 pe
r!giGiy Investigated. He said, too that
paid a salary of $500 a month for five
months, during which time he drew S3,l0o
as expense money. He understood the
money was paid out Of the fifty milan
dollar emergency fund.
He called attention to the reported fact
that what was known as the Van Horn
syndicate had been organized with a
capital of IS. eco. in whose interest. he
said. it was understood Mr.. Porter had
gone to Europe.
lnaSmuch as the tariff on machinery ana
cuu;Jrnent of railways had been recon-
mended to be reduced from 30 to 10 o2f
cent by Mr. Porter, he believed that tae
matter required keen and jealous scrutiny.
In conclusion, Mr. Bacon said he would
like before adjournment TO see acton
taken that would allow the nation TO re--
deem its pledge. and to leave the Island of
Cuba in the presence of a tree ana N
dependence government
II was then agreed that the Senate to-
morrow and Saturday meet at IL o'ctocK
a NJ.
Mr.. Chandler moved that the Montana
senatorial case be postponed until we'd
nesdav, the 30th instant, ard the motion
was agreed to-
sneech He maintained that the facts
proved the attack upon the United State
troons was not only made by Aguinaldo,
but had long been pre7neditated- Win
ont limit. he declared, evidence could be
accommodated to establish the fact OIL
Aeuinalie'S treachery.
AguinaIdn sent to General Otis copy
of his declaration of war.
OTIS A LIAR.
..T received in the noon mall to-day =
continued Mr.. Spnoner, IAN insulting let
fer from the chief of the so-called Anti
Imperialists, of Boston. in which ne de-
founced General Otis as a liar.
Mr.. Allen interjected the assertion that
an army officer. friend of his. had in
formed him that the statement OF the
interview with Judge Torres was not
true. that General Otis had misrepre-
sented.
we have had here said Mr. spooner,
"a statement that the President OF the
United States is a liar. that Admiral
Dewey is liar. and now we are told that
General Otis Is a prevaricator.
..I'll say simply that General Otis IS mis-
taken.'' said Mr. Allen.
.What docs the Senator propose to do
with the Philippines?" inquired Mr.. Allen.
Mr.. Spooner: ITO enforce the authority
of the government in the Islands. Give
The people honest. even-handed justice
and to protct life and property; TO Ill
the island with school houses: TO give
the people such part In the government
as they may show themselves fitted for;
"a maintain the laws 50 honestly and
firmly that no man, however rich, shall
he heyond their reach. and no man so hum
BILE that he may not have their protec-
ton"
TEMPORARY MEASURE.
After explaining that the bill under
d;scussion was merely a temporary meas
IRE to indicate that the Congress was be-
hind the President in his effort TO give
good government 10 a people seven thou
sand miles away. 0lr. Spooner said 1r
conclusion:
1.-The American people will stand be
hind the American Army wherever /
NAV be under our tlag
"Risht or wrong?" interjected Mr.. Petit.
grew.
at will be right responded Mr.. Spoon
er hotly. ..hut the American people will
determine that question, not the Senator
from South Dakota. We will do what is
generous and right. We will give them
good governmeut-honest government. II
we come upon dishonest employe we
will send him to the penltentiary; then the
s1av-JTill come when those people are en-
loving the blessings of prosperity. con-
tentment and good government: when the
American people will grant them an au-
tonomous government: when we have
erected a government in Cuba staple anc
strong: when we have conferred the bless
ngs of civil liberty upon the people OF
Porto Rico: when we have given TO the
Philippines such a government and sucf
an administration as they never dreamed
Of then we shall have worked out n con,
summation that is glorious and given 6
-c,s DR.