The Negro world., 1900-05-12
M)IES. IRON. Washington
Comment and Criticism of Admin
istration Methods by Capital
Correspondent.
WILD ExTRAVAGARCE OF REPUBLICANS.
The Revenues of Cuba Largely ABB
voritcs-MOrc Military Elegance
Provided FOr-PhiIippine News Is
Being withheld.
[special Corrcspondence.l ]

Being withheld.
Especial Correspondence
Already there are indications of the
extravaganza and disregard of law
which are sure to follow in the wake
of applied Imperialism. The republic
an majority in congress is being forced
to consider some of the extrayagant
expenditures in Cuba, though they are
very reluctant TO do so. fearing the ef-
feet which the inevitable disclosures
viii have upon the presidential cam
paign.
Mr.. Mckinley. with his usual lnck of
tact, brought this discussion upon him
self by sending a verbose message TO
congress asking permission to have
military officers hold over in Porto
Rico and occupy the civil offices at
double salary until appointments were
made from Washington. This precip-
itated a discussion which brought up
the Cuban matter. There have been
stories afioat in Washington for some
time about the lavish expenditure
which characterize the war depart
ment pets who are supposed TO be Civ
ing Cuba an idea of what self govern
ment means.
In the case of Cuba, especially. the
administration always has fervently
disclaimed any desire 10 exploit inn
perialist notions. and has often as
sured both the Cubans and the people
of the United States that its policy in
that island was purely benevolent.
OF course that may all be. but the
American officers seem to be having
pretty good time there. There is a
general desire among the democrats
in congress to find out just what the
administration and war department
have been doing with the revenues of
Cuba. Secretary Root promises that h
detailed account shall soon be submit
ted to the senate. and il Is expected that
1t will make very interesting read
ing.
luxury In Cuba.
1t Is known that the disbursements
Of the Cuban funds up TO the close of
1899 reached the tidy sum of $4,000, ,oo0,
and a great portion of that amount
has been spent in paying the salaries
and incidenta.s relative to American
occupation of the island. 1t is said
that Gov Wood manages to draw about
$4,000 a year from various sources.
and other officials in proportion. The
governor generals beautiful palace at
Havana has been refitted for American
use in a style which would make Gen.
Weyler turn green with envy.
The meat of the whole proposition
lies in the fact that these army officers
are violating section 1869 of the Re
vised Statutes, which says; mo allow
ance shall be made to officers in addi-
tion TO their pay" II Is said that the
war department will try to shift re-
sponsibility on the matter by saying
that it permitted the extra allowance
from Cuban revenues after the attor-
ney general had so advised, and that
because the amounts were taken from
the Cuban revenues no law of the
United States was violated.
The matter of the Cuban extrava-
gance is not in itself so important. II
IS merely n practical illustration Of
what is bound TO be done all along the
line IL the imperialism is 10 be the
policy of this country.
In this matter the administration
and its department officers set them
selves above congress and outside
statute law. and used the revenues
which should have been held in trust
10 pay the debts Of Cuba and rebuild
its shattered industries.
The same thing will be done In Porto
Rico under the new tariff and govern
ment law. The war of subjugation IL
being carried on In the Philippines at
an immense cost, for the express pur-
pose Of exierminating the natives who
have energy and spirit enough TO de-
sire independence. That kind of ma
tiyes do not lend themselves well 10
trust and corporate exploitation.
When the Cuban matter came up In
the senate. Senator Platt was inju-
dicious enough TO put the adrIinistra-
ton policy In q nutshell. He declared
that the "p-esident could do rs he
pleased in Cuba without being respon-
sible TO congress for his action.
The democrats have eontcnded al
along that imperialism meant the as
sumption of this irresponsible power
By the president. and that II would be
1sed 10 plunder and cypress the inhao'
itants OF the insular possefions.
Military Elegance.
The army and navy appropriation
bills show the same wild desire 10 spend
money in building up buiwarks for an
autocraiic administration. The naval
bill especially provides for the most
luxurious quarters for lot Of pam
pered cadets at Annapolis. Millions 81
dollars are asked to build barracks for
/ a few young men who VII thus become
unified for actuGt bard service, should
they ever he needed.
The republicans think that ihet
have succeeded III ieaxfng the waT eTsea
to pay any price they choose for arfslo'
plate. more than ss4s . ton. should tie
Carnegie ard Bethlehem combination
desire II. To be sure. a strief cen
sfruction Of the amendment on tbai
/ point as IL now stands In The aogfss
would Hrslit the wa- department. 70 So
a ton. as provided by .he fsst eongFesN
t,sst shu fsyt n sssre 70 be mai.