The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-25
NOT FOR CAMPAIGN CAPITAL.
BACON SAYS HIS RESOLUTION HAS
NO SUCH PURPOSE.

HIS Reply to P1ntts Charges-Duty
OF Congress to NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
err Continues His Interesting Po-
IiticaI speech-Defended Otis Fronx
Charge of FnIsifying - What He
Would Do with the Philippines
Bryan and ImperiaHsm.
Washington, May 2l.-The duty Of the
United States towards it's "island possess
sions' was the subject of heated discuss
| sion lin the Senate again to-day.
Soon after the Senate convened Mr.. Ba-
con of Georgia began an extended reply
TO the speech of Mr.. Platt of Connecticut,
delivered yesterday. His speech was large
ly supplemental to that which he delivered
several days ago demanding an investiga~
ton OF Cuban financial affairs. His reso-
luton, to which there is little or no op<
position, under the rules went to the
Committee en- Contingent Expenses
The remainder Of the afternoon was oc-
cupied by Mr.. Spooner of Wisconsin, in
concluding his speech on the Philippine
question. The debate which he aroused
| took turn decidedly political He chargs
ed the so-called anti-imperiallsts with
creating an issue which was not leglti-
mate. Many of his statements were COM
troverted by Mr.. Allen of Nebraska ana
Mr. Pettigrew of South Dakota, and tho
controversy at times became almost rer@
sonal o.
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 view to their
| preservation by publication was passed.
The conference report on the Indian ap.
| preparation bill was agreed to.
Bacon's Reply TO PIatt.
Mr.. Bacon then called up his resolutions
and made his reply to Mr. Platt. He sald
the great purpose of the investigation was
TO ascertain whether by fraudulent con-
tracts other devices of corruption the
millions handled by the officials In Cuba
had been disposed of dishonesty He said
there had been great looseness In che con-
duct of Cuban affairs, and that the gov
ernment departments there showed most
enormous and unparalleled salary lists.
He denied any purpose of making any
campaign capital and said in view OF
what had been disclosed It was unreason-
able to ask that the investigation be left
| TO the postof9ice department.
The construction of the military railroad
| along the Havana harbor, Mr.. Bacon sail,
| had cost $3i2,6l1, an exorbitant sum, ana
the matter ought to be rigidly investigated.
| He said, too. that Robert p Porter as q
| tariff expert was paid a salary of $500 a
| month for five months, during which time
| he drew 49, 100 as expenses. He UNDER
| stood the money was paid out OF the $780,
100000 emergency fund. He called atten-
| ton to the reported fact that what was
| known as the Van Horne syndicate had
been organized with a capital of $s,0o0.0o0.
in whose interest, 1t was understood Mr..
| Porter had gone 70 Europe Inasmuch as
| the tariff on machinery and equipment OF
| railroads had been recommended to be
reduced from 10 to 10 per cent. by Mr..
Porter, he believed the matter required
keen and jealous scrutiny.
In conclusion Mr.. Bacon said:
Il would Ike. before adjournment, 10
sec action taken that will allow the ma
on to redeem its pleage and to leave the
Island of Cuba In the presence Of a fee
and independent government"
1t was then agreed that the Senate to-
morrow and Satu day meet at II o'clock.
Mr. Chandler, chairman of the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections moved
that the resolution as to the Montana sem
aior,al case be postponed until Wednes-I
day, the Goth instant. and the motion was
| agreed to.
--irt~ the Instance of Mr. Platt of Com
necticut the resolution Of Mr.. Bacon was
referred to the Committee on Contingent
Expenses.
Mr.. spooner then resumed his Philip
pines speech. He maintained that the facts
proved the attack upon the United States
troops was not only made by Aguinaldo,
but had long been premeditated. Without
limit he declared evidence could be ac-
cumulated 20 establish the fact of Agui-
naldo's treachery.
Mr.. Spooner reviewed at length the
events which led up to the hostilities on
Feb. 4, and declared that nobody
but an ant-imperialist" who, by his
words and actions desired the dishonor OF
his country and the making of campaign
material in a presidential year could
have so little OF good faith as to make
the brutal charge against the President
OF the United States that he had been re-
sponsble for the precipitation of hostil-
tiles.
In discussing further along the respon-
siblity for the continuation of hostilities
Mr.. Spooner quoted the dispatch from
Gen. Otis, giving an account of an inter-
view he had had with Judge Torres, one
Of the Philippine commissioners, who
suggested that a neutral zone be estab-
lished between the hostile armies. Gen.
Otis informed him that such suggestion
must come from Aguinaldo, and when
Torres sent Aguinaldo a request that an
armistice be arranged Aguinaldo sent to
Gen. Otis a copy of his declaration Of war.
OtIs' statement Questioned.
"I received In the noon mail to-day
continued Mr.. Spooner, IAN insulting let
ter from the chef of the so-ca.led anti
Imperialists of Boston, In which he de-
nounced Gen. Otis as a liar"
Mr.. Allen interjeeted the assertion that
an army officer-a friend OF his-has in
formed him that that statement of the in
teryiew With Judge Torres was not true;
that Gen. Otis had misrepresented IT,
IAN officer who charges falsehood
against his commanding officer" retorte1
Mr. spooner ought to make It in the
open. II he told the truth a courtmartial
would take care of his case and that OF
the commanding general too. He would
not Imperil his office in the army OF any
decent government In the world"
Mr.. Allen THE statement made by
Gen. Otis is not the truth"
1--WE have had here" said Mr.. Spooner.
"a statement that the President of Ahe
United Stntes is a liar; that Admiral Dew