The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-24

WASHINGTON. May 23.-This was day
OF rasping political controversy and ora
tory in the senate With the controversy
those on the Democratic side OF the cham
ber anamolous as II may seem. had little
to do. What by far-seeing senators Is re-
garded as likely 10 be the paramount is
sue of the approaching national campaign
was the subject of two notable speeches.
one by Plat of Connecticut, and the other
by Spooner of Wisconsin. The former was
an answer to the speech delivered a few
days ago by Bacon. of Georgia, on his
resolution demanding an examination of
financial conditions in Cuba Platt favored
the adoption of the resolution. but depre-
Gated what he called a cheap effort to
make political capital out of a shameful
condition of affairs which the Republican
party needed no prodding to induce it TO
probe to the bottom.
The speech of Spooner was a continue
tion of his address of yesterday on the
Philippine question On its course he be-
came involved in heated and sensational
colloquy with Hale of Maine, over the
governments conduct of affairs in our
''insular possessions"
1t was a remarkable controversy be-
tween two of the best equipped senators
in the senate and was listened to with pro-
found attention by senators, many repre-
sentatives and crowded galleries Spooner
will continue his speech tomorrow
At the opening of the session today Nor
gan called up his resolution calling upon
the secretary of war and the secretary
of the navy for information relative to the
cost of transportation Of troops and sup
plies to the Philippines and 1t was agreed
to.
The resolution previously offered by Ba-
con, directing the committee on relations
with Cuba to make an investigation re-
garding the receipts and expenditures of
money in Cuba. was then called up.
How the Frau uds Were Uncovered.
About IA month ago" said Platt
of Connecticut, who is chairman of the
committee on relations with Cuba, Gen.
Wood, the governor general OF Cuba, was
led to suppose that there had been irregu-
larities In that portion of the government
of Cuba under the supervision of the dl
rotor of posts. He Immediately organized
an inspection, which has been unsparngly
pressed.
THE senator from Georgia Bacon)
seems to think. as do some of the news
papers. that all the malfeasance in Of
hce and fraud have been brought TO
light. not by the United States government
officials, but by outsiders. But it is TO
Gen. Wood that the credit of the discov-
cry of these frauds and wrong doings be-
longs, and to the administration belongs
the credit OF the probing to the bottom
these frauds. The senator from Georgia
has no monopoly on the shame and hu-
initiation with which every patriotic man
is affected by the recent disclosures. They
are shocking They are direct blow TO
every true citizen OF the United States.
Sad and shameful Exposure.
III the wrong doing had occurred in Bos-
ton. New York or Washington. It would
have been sad and shameful, but 1t would
have not been so sad and shameful as IL
is. since il occurred on the island OF Cuba.
where the administration Is engaged in
a great work Of freedom and philanthropy.
But nothing has occurred in the his
tory OF defalcations that has made such
an impression on the public mind as this,
and justly More than ever 1t is'incumbent
upon the government TO probe TO the bot
tom, and unhinchirgiy- The
Republican party never toieyates fraud
or pcculation or embeEzlement
Neither the Republican admlnistrat ton
or the committee on relations with Cuba
need any proiding from the opposition
party To induce them TO make most
searching investigation ami to use every
effort to punish severely any person guilty
Of wrong doing or fraud in the island Of
Cuba
"But some things ought 20 be remem-
beved by these patriots, who. in this pres
idential campaign. hold up their hands In
/ holy horror and seize upon what has been
disclosed IN an endeaVor to cast discredit
upon not only the administration, but
also upon their country. Il ought TO be
| remembered that In the three years and
three months OF the present administra-
| tion this is the first opportunity they
| have had 10 criticize in that respect
Plat said that for congress to inter
| fere with the investigation Instituted by
the postmaster general might defeat the
| ends OF justice. and he announced that
! the department investigation would be
| thorough and searching He then read
/ letter from Postmaster General Smith
/ 10 Fourth Assistant Bristow. who IS
! charged with conducting the lnvestiga-
| tior. The letter follows.
| Postmaster gen. smiths Instructions
| "Wsshlnston. u. c, May Is, 800
| Hon. Joseph l. Bristow. Fourth AS
| sistant Postmaster General-Sir. supple
| menting my letter OF May II, directing
| YOU TO proceed at once TO Cuba the fol-
| lowing further instructions are given for
| your guidance:
You will Immediately on your arrival
! at Havana confer freely and fully with
| Gen Wood, military governor. and Will
| keep in ons,ant communication with
1 Do Tzn