Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-05-24

ministrative side of the service was
placed under the control of THIS depart
ment and the auditing or checking slde
under the control of another. rms Is
the system of the United States gov
eminent.
The Irregularities n = tons
which have been brought to light were
apparently accomplished because of1cers
appointed by and responsible to different
postmasters, and who should have q
check upon each other. entered into col
fusion and conspiracy to perpetrate these
wrongs on the one side and TO pass ana
cover them up on the other. You will
carefully investigate by what defects OF
supervision or defense they were con-
!sumnated and what further measures OF
protection in the passing and audltlng
of accounts and in the OF pub
lie funds and property may be needed.
1T is desired also that the central or
ganiZation Of the post service In CUBA
shall receive your especial attention. lou
will examine as to whether 1t Is framed
in the best manner for efficient admins
tration. You will see whether compat
BILE with a good military service for the
people any retrenchments can De made,
and whether economies can be erected
by a consolidation and reduction of bu-
reaus. 1t is desired to bring the postal
expenditures within the postal revenues
so far as may be consistent with the
obligation of providing a satisfactory
mail service.
your presence III Suud, oS liS ASPhS
sentative of the department with these
instructions, makes you the ranking OK
ficer of the postal administration. You
will consider and advise what removals
or other action may be required IN the
cause of Justice. for the interest of the
government and the people OF CUBA ana
for the welfare of the service.
You are chosen for this duty with the
approval of the president. who IS deeply
shocked at the shameful betrayal OIL
.-x& - thA ntHnIl1 4 n VhDIn
confidence had been reposed, and VINO
directs that in dealing with all
tiles which have been or may be disclos-
ed, the sole rule of action shall De THOR
ough and complete investigation. the
rigorous and unsparing prosecution OF
all guilty persons and their swift and
condign punishment. You Will commu,
nicate these instructions to General
Wood. keeping him fully informed as
you proceed. and reporting regularly 10
fhe department. Respectfully yours,
CHARLES EMORY SMITH,.
POSTMASTER General
Continuing, Mr.. Plat said:
THE people have confidence in VIII
liam Mckinley. No president. Wnlle ne
vas president, had the confidence Of the
neople TO the degree that President Nc
Kinley has it. Other presidents nave
been ~canonized after death and It mas
been evidenced then that they had the
confidence Of the people. but no person.
! in office ever eSCdpcu Lie oA
innuendo that Mckinley has escaped.
The people would be glad to leave TINS
investigation to him. They know there
would be no c%ondoning of fraud, no
covering UP of crime. Blu when charges
are made simply for campaign pur-
poses, l think we amy as well make
an investigation for ourselves.
Further along Mr.. Platt paid a high
tribute to General Wood. General
Brooke and others and said no army
officer had been charged with any
thing like fraud in Cuba.
HAS the senator had his attention
directed to the railroad construction
along the south side of the harbor Of
Havana?' inquired Mr.. Tillman.
If the senator retorted Mr.. Platt,
warmly, "has any as TO
that railroad, I wish he would produce
II did not say I had any informa-
ton" said Mr.. Tillman. but If there
is an investigation, l will produce some
witnesses
Referring to the construction of this
railroad, Mr.. Platt said the names of
former Secretary of War Alger and
Senators Platt and Depew of New
York had been used in connection with
. the project, but they had entered Wig
orous denials Of any connection with
! it, although to his mind such denials
We're Unnecessary.
| 'sThese charges simply show the reck-
= lessness of those people who are throw
t ing stones at the present admlnistra-
> ton"
Mr.. Platt said there would be no dis
position to protect Director Rathbone
. if he should be shown to be involved
in the financial difficulties in Cuba. Ii
!, he were found to be guilty he would be
punished unsparingly.
Continuing. Mr.. Platt said that Nicely
; had the confidence of the people of In
:, diana and before the recent disclosures
= his integrity had never been questioned
u and the same was true of Mr.. Rathbone
The administration, he thought. had ex-
ercised proper caution in appointing
5 these men to office.
r Nicely went wrong" said Mr.. Plat
n and brought disgrace and shame ano
n humiliation upon this country-rathel
than upon the administration-Whicf
had assumed responsible duties in
t Cuba"
4 Mr.. Bacon. he said, demanded to
e know why our government was in Cuba
and why it did not come away.
I'VE are there" Mr.. Platt answered
because we have been sent there by
d the American people: because congress
has sent our army there to destroy the
power of Spain. We have a duty t6
perform there. and the American peo.
!, pie will see to it that it is discharged
The military control of the island viii
= cease when the people set up for them
- selves a government for themselve:
which will proprly control the slan6.'
e when will that time come in
quired Mr.. Bacon.
THAT time will be delayed long
said Mr.. Platt. "if n party for partisan
purposes makes the work more Difficult
8 The blush of shame ought to mantle
the cheek of every man who is tryinI
" to hinder or embarrass the operation
of General Wood in Cuba, who is seek
- ing to bring about that time as rapid,
= as it may be brought bout
- The conference report on the arm,
appropriation was agreed to.
Mr.. Spooner of Wisconsin then re
cllnnnd hic Snaach ON thu PIilNnnio