The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-17
DEMOCRATIC BETTER.
DISHONESTY AND ExTRAvA-
GANCE OF M'kINLEYISM.
How Army Officers Are Permitted to
Draw Double Pay In Direct Violation
of the Constitution of the United
states-Milltarlsm Running Mad.
washington Correspondence

honesty and extravaganza encouraged
by this. administration. 1t comes to
light that the American army officers,
occupying administrative positions in
Cuba, have been drawing enormous
perquisites from Cuban revenues in
addition to their regular salaries.
This has been done by the con-
nivance of the war department, and
Secretary Root tries to justify it by
saying that the officers needed the
money in order to live in proper style
in Cuba.
There is law which prohibits an
officer Of the army or navy drawing
more than one salary, and that. his
pay as an officer. but the administra-
ton allows the extras as sort of
bonus, and is trying to hide behind
the technicality that it comes from
the Cuban revenues and not those OF
the United States.
1t is said that the governors palace
IN Havana has been reftted and fur
nished in truly imperial style, and the
sCubans are being given the object
lesson of American extravaganza
which completely overshadows the ex-
penditures of Spanish officials in the
old days.
Congress may Investigate the mat
ter, but the majority are already try
ing to explain that they didn't know
it was going on, and even if it was
there was justification. The trouble
is that the Republicans are accumu
lating altogether too many things
which need explanation and justitica-
ton. The people would prefer pol
icy which omitted such mistakes.
In the case of Porto Rico the dou-
BILE salary and bonus for cost of Off
cia. living is about to be inaugurated,
and tina President took the precaution
to send : message to congress asking
that the military officers be permitted
to perform civil functions while the
administration is trying to make Sc
lection of Office holders from the mob
of carpet-baggers who surround the
White House.
The message of course. neglected
to state that the double salaries would
be paid. but that will be the case if
Mr.. McKinley's congress approves his
recommendation it probably
will.
The Porto Rican government bill
was very carelessly drawn. 1t sus-
pended the old courts and made no
provisions for the establishment of
new ones, and provided no definite
time when the new civil government
should go into effect. 1t included
awever, provision which would al
j 15a-4 - . ~. q jane e-r-1uti,e
; council to give out a1pthe valuable
franchises without let or hindrance.
The Republicans are discussing some
amendment in this respect-which will
give out the franchise privileges just
the same but not quite so openly.
The new government is to be in
stituted with all the pageantry and
pomp and splendor with which Rome
was accustomed to install proconsuls
in conquered territory.
Presumably the administration
wants to impress both the Porto
Ricans and the Americans with the
fact imperialism is now an accom-
plished fact and not theory
The "carpet-baggers" are rather dis
appointed that there are not enough
Porto Rican plums to fill all the hun
CRY mouths, but the administration is
soothing them with promises of still
bigger plums in the Philippines when
that troublesome Instruction is
quelled and the cowed natives are
ready to be plundered without pro-
test.
Congress is being asked to lavish
money on the navy in all sorts of
ways. The armor plate factories want
a free hand to charge $545 per, ton, or
any other price they please, for armor
plate, though it has been proved that
the very best Krupp plate could be
manufactured in a government factory
for about 5000 ton. 1t really doesn't
make much difference how the bill
is amended. the war department Off
Gals propose to give the armor plate
combine whatever price they desire.
The naval bill asks for $4,000 900
more than was ever wanted for the
navy in any preceding year. Battle
ships are being built faster than off
GERS are educated to man them.
Though the present bill asks the out
rageous sum of six millions of dollars
under the pretense that this sum is
needed to train officers at Annapolis.
The fact is that it is wanted to fur
nish luxurious quarters so that the
cadets will be trained for the sump-
tous living already provided for Off
GERS on the battle ships.
Chairman Hepburn of the house
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce announces that the Nicar-
aqua Canal bill will be ready for con-
sideration on May /.
The bill which is now proposed gives
the United States the distinguished
privilege of digging a canal, but there
is neither ''fortify" or defend clause
in it.
The administration henchmen
blandly eexplain that Great Britain
already feels rather offended over the
shelving Of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
and it may be as we'll not to irritate
her by suggesting that this country
will defend the canal, suggesting that
this country will fortify the canal.