New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-13
INSULAR BANK BILL PASSED.
DEMOCRATS AGAIN GO ON RECORD
AGAINST EXPANSION
IBr TELEGRAPH To THE Tribune.

Washington, April 12-The bill to provide better
facilities for the safekeepng and disbursement OF
public moneys in the Philippine Islands. Porto
Rico and Cuba, which was introduced by Mr. Sib-
ley. of Pennsylvania. month ago. and favorably
reported by Chairman Cooper from the Committee
on Insu!ar Affairs, passed by the House or
Representatives to-day after debate. and an aye
and vote, which gave the Democrats an oppor-
tunity to express their views and put themselves
record In favor OF the REIMBURSEMENT by the
United States of it's sovereignty over the Philippine
archipelago. Among the provisions OF the bill was
that the act should apply to Cuba only so long
the island shall be occupied by the United States
Mr.. Brewer OF Alabama. who Is a member OF the
Committee on Insuiar Affairs moved an amend
ment placing the Philippine Islands In the same
category as Cuba far as the application or the
act was concerned, and supported 1t in carefully
prepared speech In favor of the withdrawal OF the
United States from the archipelago. The amend
ment was rejected after further discussion by an
aye and no vote. which the Democrats were re-
corded in the affirmative.
The bill was also attacked other grounds by
Messrs. Jones, of Virginia, Gaines. of Tennessee.
and some OF the other small fry among the anti
expansi 'nists. Some of them declared that the
measure was designed further to enrich the Stand
ard Oil Company and other gigantic corporations
by giving them the custody of all the public funds
of the United States in the several islands. while
others seemed TO think that political favorites
would qualify by depositing Government bonds and
other securities approved by the Secretary of the
y,
and custody OF the funds. and pile up huge fortunes
for themselves. None of them gave any facts to
sustain their assertions to Justify their opinions
SAFEKEEPING OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
In his clear, concise and satisfactory statement
in support of the measure Chairman Cooper fully
demonstrated that it necessary and wise legis
lation, and his statement was fortified with facts
from official sources Among other things he read
letter from the Paymaster-General OF the Navy
to the Secretary of the Navy, of the statements
contained in which TO the effect that pay
master at Manila who received a draft for $4,000
several months ago be used for official disburse-
ment found himself. after he had cashed II, the
unhappy custodian of 500 900 Mexican silver dollars
The coin amounted TO more than twelve tons in
weight. and in bulk to startling proportions. If he
deposited it in bank which had not been desig-
mated by the Secretary of the Treasury de-
pository of public funds he must do at his own
risk and in addition be liable to trial and con-
viction for embeZzlement, the penalty for which is
fine and Imprisonment. OF course. he could keep
the money in his own custody. but as Mr.. Moody,
Of Massachusetts. suggested. he could not well
g m stoa IN his 30 POCKETS s and 1t
for the loss. This incident shows the embarrass-
the public funds which come into the hands Of
dsbursng officers in the new possessions. and
other oficias. ''10'u " '''e i'i''''" u any
The Secretary of the Navy was so impressed by
DEPARTMENT that he officially requested the Secre
Gage replied that he had no authority under ex,
u Of this TO soP e bill M nhf the Th
to-day 1t authorizes the Secretary Of the Treasury
islands referred to as repositories of public mon
eeys In the same manner as he now designates
law; such banks bankers so designated to give
security by the deposit Of United States
pI,4 3 n payment Of the public deposited
their duties. ~