New-York tribune., 1900-04-22
SFNATETAKES UP CHARGES
AN INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED EXTRAyA-
GANCE OF ARMY OFFICERS IN
CUBA ORDERED.

the two resolutions offered yesterday by Mr..
Bacon of Georgia, calling on the Secretary of War
for Information the allowances made to Army
officers stationed in Cuba and Porto Rico and the
expended in providing quarters, equipages
and other conveniences for them. The debate took
a wide range many Senators taking part in it.
Senator Pettigrew delivered a characteristic ad-
dress in support Of the resolutions. He criticised
the statements made by the President and the War
Department in response to his resolutions main
tanning that they were not complete or satisfac-
tory.
Mr.. Hawley chairman of the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs. resented the statements of the South
Dakota Senator reckless and unwarranted,'
and asserted that all information required by the
Senate would be furnished in due time.
Mr.. Carter, in explanation Of the subject.
which he had investigated said that additional
salaries had not been granted Army officers
serving in Cuba or Porto Rico When the United
States assumed the functions of government IN
Cuba and Porto Rico Army officers were assigned
to perform civil well military duties. These
officers Mr. Carter said thrust into positions
where their expenses necessarily were considerably
increased, He cited the Of an officer OF MS
acquaintance who found 1t impossible TO meet this
additional expense out of his regular salary He
therefore asked to be relieved from duty in Cuba
or an allowance for expenses. He received an al
lowance of S1.S00 year, because the Secretary OF
War and the President felt that the officer ought
not virtually TO be fined for the performance Of
duties 10 which he assigned.
In response inquiry from Mr.. Cockrell as
the sort of expenses which made the allowances
to officers necessary Mr. Carter replied that there
were scores of expenses attached TO official sta
lions which gentleman could or would refuse to
meet This of the President of the United
States and II was true OF the Governor General
of Cuba II evident that the officers in Cuba
needed the additional money for expenses which
they would not incur in the discharge Of their
regular military duties There no pretence, so
far he knew that the allowances made to Of
fcers We're 10 be regarded additional salaries
Mr. TiIlman suggested that II might be well TO
wait until the resolutions were answered before
discussing them. We the other side, said
he, want know something this question,
and have had the advantage Of information
from the War Department
How the Senator know he will be on the
other side interrupted Mr.. Chandler, until he
hears the evidence9' (Iaughter)
I'm always safe in being on the other side from
the Senator from New Hampshire" retorted Mr.
Tillman.
MI Stewart supported the War Department in
making allowances 70 the officers in Cuba for ex-
traordinary expenses made necessary by their du-
ties.
Mr. Bacon the author Of the resolutions, dis
cussed them at some length. He dssented strongly
from the proposition that the President could col
lect and disburse according to his unrestrained
! Judgment the revenues of Cuba. He did have
that unlimited power He maintained that the law
OF the United States expressly forbade giving TO
Army officers any additional compensation above
their regular pay. If allowances necessary by
reason OF their assignment 20 duty Cuba the
matter ought to have been brought TO the atten-
ton of Congress. He believed il a dangerous
precedent for the Executive branch of the Govern
nent TO fall into the habit Of violating the law
thus openly.
THE PRESIDENT SUPREME IN CUBA.
Mr. PIatt Of Connecticut said ii would be found
that officer had received additional salary.
Allowances probably had been made, and he
sidered them perfectly proper. He pointed that
Cuba was not and probably would be
part the United States 1t foreign territory.
It was occupied by the Army of this country under
command of the President in consonance with
international law The military authority
supreme, and limited in its administration Of
the affairs Of the island only by the provisions of
international law. The President the chief
power the island. and there could be other
power there
We have heard something" said Mr. Platt,
about regal extravaganza in Cuba. I think there
has been nothing of the kind. There has been no
! extravaganza. 7 have been there The public
building or palace. is called there was put in
/ shape fit TO live in. Nothing more was done. #
! Congress desires the information of il
| ascertain how much General Brooke paid his cook
! and how much he paid his chambermaid but do
! not think extravagant expenditures have been
| made"
Mr. PIatt thought that if there had been extrava-
ganco it ought be remedied. but Congress had no
control the present administration of Cuba
/ 1t under military executive and not legislative
/ control.
"Can We not direct the President withdraw the
! Army from Cuba ?" inquired Mr.. Timan.
That is one thing can do replied Mr.. PIatt
do not the acts of Congress control in Cuba?'
| asked Mr.. Daniel
No" replied Mr. Platt sharply
DO not the laws Of the United States the
pay and emoluments Of Army officers apply in
/ Cuba 2' persisted Mr.. Daniel.
AS 10 the pay and emoluments of Army off,
GERS, yes" replied Mr.. Platt. but to what shall
! be done in Cuba, no. Our occupation OF Cuba IS
Where does the President get this great author
] From the Constitution replied Mr.. Platt AS
! conferred upon him by Congress
! made by the Connecticut Senator II the
first time he said. that he had ever heard the
I ed on the Senate noor. such a doctrine" said
. he should not &C unchallenged here. The Prest-
dent OF the United states IS given certain sPecIc
powers under the Constitution. Beyond this MS
I executive duty is TO see that the laws are faith
-1'is Isn't this simply the bossomtng of the i'm
pertaistic tree" suggested Mr.. Tllman.
| Mr. DANIEL SEES A YAWNING GULF
1T is not the blossoming Of the tree replied
| Mr. Daniel 1T is far beyond that. II is the
perfection and the rotttng of the fruit. 1t will
fall from the tree of its weight. In falling
trust it will do something 10 remind the people Of
the country of the fearful preciplce on the brink
/ of which they are standing.
/ Mr. Danie! declared that no person be he Bey or
| sultan had power override definite and recog-
4tzs1 9aHc of aw @ h President had authorized the
payment of additional salaries 10 the Army officers
| in Cuba, il was an eXhlnltlon OF such aosoIuJs1i
| as never had been known IN this country. and the
| defence of the action by the Senator from Con-
| isI NJ chandler agreed with Mr. Platt the
President could make allowances tog ene l'aF h
| could legally increase tnelr sa!aTTles- he hoped