The Press., 1900-05-31
Washington, May %. 100

Senator Platt of Conn. Is chairman of
the committee on relations with Cuba,
which is directed by the Bacon resolu-
tion, adopted by the senate without dis
senting vote, to investigate all receipts
and expenditures in the island of Cuba,
by, through and under the officials and
representatives of the U. g., both civil
and military, from the date of the occupa-
tion of Cuba by our military forces to
April 80, 1900. No man In the senate Is
better fitted to conduct such an investiga-
tion thoroughly than Senator Platt. AL
though strong partisan, he never allows
partisanship to make him unfair or to
prejudice his judgment, and his integrity
is of the old-fashioned, middle-of-the road
sort, which never confuses right and
wrong, and never condones dishonesty In
any form. In addition to those quallfica-
tions, Mr.. Platt has the judicial tempera-
ment and is tireless worker. The in.
vestigation will be made during the con-
gressional recess, and the committee has
the authority to sit where 1t pleases,
either as a full committee or to divide in
to subcommittee, and to send for per-
sons and papers.
Senators are, if possible, more anxious
for congress to adjourn, than members of
the house are, but there is much work
yet to be done upon regular appropriation
bills, which must all be disposed of be-
fore adjournment. Consequently, it is
almost certain that the date set by the
house resolution, June 9th, for adjourn
ment, will have to be pushed little
further along by the senate; but there Is
no doubt that adjournment will take
place about the middle of June, which Is
unusually early for the long session, even
in presidential years.
Delegations from the Creek and Cher
okee Indians are in Washington protest
ing against the proposed allotment of
their lands in Indian territory, which
they claim will be violation OF old trea-
ties. Their protests have been submitted
to the Indian committees of congress, but
there is no probability of interference by
congress with the allotment program.
Lying upon the table of the senate are
the credentials of Mr.. Clark and of Mr..
Maginnis for the same vacancy, and al
though they may be called up this week,
no one looks for any definite action at
this session.
So much opposition to the Spooner bill,
authorizing the president to govern the
Philippines in his discretion, until further
legislation by congress, has developed
that there is little probability that the
bill will reach vote at this session.
AS matter of fact, the president Is now
exercising all the authority that the
Spooner bill would confer on him, and
will continue to do so until congress legis-
lates for the government of the Philip.
pines. The only apparent object of the
Spooner bill Is to show that congress en-.
president.
The Boer ENJOYS having failed utterly
in their mission to Washington, 80 fer az
the government is concerned, will start
out to see what impression they can make
upon the people by series of public
meetings, the first of which will be hello
In Baltimore this week, with others tc
follow in other cities.
The house has adopted resolutions
calling on the acknowledgements fol
copies of reports made by E. G. Rath'
bone while he held the office of director
OF posts In Cuba, and upon the secretary
OF war for information as to allowances
made army officers in Cuba and Porte
Rico for quarters, horses, vehicles, etc
Secretary Root has just sent to the sen.
ate an official report made by Gen. Davis
which Is reply to the resolution, 80 fal
as Porto Rico is concerned.