The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-25
He REPLIED 10 Mr.. PLAT.
SENATOR BACON, OF GEORGIA.
DISCUSSES THE SUBJECT OF IN
SULAR POSSESSIONS
HEATED DEBATE THE RESULT
Messrs. Allen, of Nebraska, and Pet
hgrew, of South Dakota, At
tack Assertions of Sem
afOr SpOOner.

WASHINGTON, May 24.-The duty Of
the United States towards its island
possession" was the subject OF heated
discussion in the senate again today
Soon after the senate convened Mr.
Bacon (Ga) began an extended reply to
the speech of Mr.. Platt, delivered yes
terday. His speech was largely supple
mental to that which he delivered sew
eral days ago, demanding an investiga-
ton OF Cuban financial affairs HIS 1eso-
luton, to which there is little or no op-
position, under the rules went to the
committee on contingent expenses.
The remainder of the afternoon was oc-
cupied by Mr.. Spooner CWis.) in concIud-
ing his speech on the Philippine question.
The debate which he aroused took a turn
decidedly political. He charged the so
called and-imperialists with creating an
issue which was not legitimate.
Many of his statements were contro-
verted by Mr.. Allen (Neb.) and Mr.. Pet
ugrew, of South Dakota, and the contro-
versy at times became almost personal
Referring to a figure of speech used
yesterday by Mr.. Platt, Mr.. Bacon said
his cheek did mantle with the blush Of
shame at the peculation, thievery fraud
and corruption in Cuba, not because he
was singing mud, but because he was
an American citizen Congress, in the in
terest of the country's honor, ought to
cause an investigation to be made with
out fear, without favor and with up
rightness of purpose.
BOER ENJOYS DINED.
Representative William Alden Smith, Of
Michigan, gave a dinner tonight at the
Hotel Gordon to the Boer commissioners.
The guests of honor were Messrs. Fischer,
Vessels and Wolmarans, and De Bruyn,
secretary. Among the Others present
were Senators Burrows, Quarles, G. lin
ger and Pritchard; Representatives HIT
Copper (Wis), Fowler, Clarke, Foss, s.
w. Smith, Corliss, Weeks, GrosvenOr,
FOrdney, Hopkins, Hill, Littleheld, Heat
wole, McCleary, Wright, Hawley Crum-
packer, Sheldon, Sperry. Mercer, Hamii-
ton, Watson, and Messrs. p. L. Vessels
a brother of one of the commissioners;
Wander Hooght, of Baltimore, and Web
ster Davis, Click, Dunn, Hosford and
Charles, of Washington.
At the end Of the dinner the commiss' Oh
ers were each in turn called upon by Mr..
Smith, and made brief addresses. Their
remarks were in line with what they
have heretofore said as to their mission
here.
Webster Davis expressed in a most en-
phatic way his views, and declared that
the whole people of the United States
believed in the cause Of liberty which
was represented by the guests.
MR.. PETTIGREW SEEKS LIGHT.
The senate today agreed to resolution
offered by Mr.. PcttigreW IS. d. directing
the secretary of the treasury TO inform
the senate what disposition has been
made Of the appeal of the defendant in
the case of the United States against the
North American Commercial company;
also what amount is now due the United
States under order of the court from the
NCeth American Commercial company,
and also what number Of seal pups
starved IN the Islands in Bering sea dur
ing the years 2S9S and 1899, and whether
the branding Of seals Is still pracuced,
and what effect branding has on seal
life?