The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22

l think there has been nothing of the kind.
/ have been there. The public building or
palace, as it is called ihefree. Has put in
shape fit to live in. Nothing more was
done. If Congress desires the information
of course it can ascertain how much Cen
eral Brooke paid his cook and how much
he paid his chambermaid, but l do not
think extravagant expenditures have been
made
Mr.. Plat argued that the only question
for the Senate to decide was as to whether
the allowances to Army officers charged
with the administration of civil affairs in
Cuba were reasonable or were extr; va
CANT.
is Congress" he asked ito legislete for
Cuba? What right has Congress to legis-
late for Cuba any more than for Canada?"
Can we not direct the President to
withdraw the army from Cuba" enquired
Mr.. Tillman
THAT is one thing we can do" replied
Mr.. Plat.
Mr.. Daniel-Do acts of Congress control
in Cuba?
Mr.. Platt-They do not and cannot. Cuba
is foreign territory.
Mr.. Daniei-Do the laws of the United
States as to the pay and emoluments of
Army officers apply in Cuba, or do they
not?
Mr.. Platt-As to the pay and emolu
ments of Army officers, yes; but as to
what shall be done in Cuba, no. Cuba is
under military authority 1t is in military
occupation. That occupation is under ex-
ecutive authority and not under legisla-
tive authority.
Where does the President get this great
authority" asked Mr. Daniel.
From the Constitution, was the reply
AS Commander-in-c chief of the Army the
President has authority far beyond the
power which may be conferred upon him
by Congress.
Mr.. Daniel Surprised.
Mr.. Daniel expressed his surprise at
the doctrine of absolutism laid down by
Mr.. Plat. Such a doctrine, he said, should
not go unchallenged. The President of the
United States was given certain specific
powers under the Constitution. Beyond
those his great executive duty was to see
that the laws were faithfully executed.
1T was new, if not purely original,
idea of the Senator from Connecticut that
the President was so far beyond the laws
of the United States that Congress could
not determine his duties as a military
officer in executing a specific ORDER said
Mr.. Daniel.
rs not that the blossoming of the i'm
perial idea?" MIR. Tillman broke in.
1T is not its blossoming,' Mr.. Daniel
replied; lit is its perfected and rotten
fruit. 1t will fall from the tree of its own
weight. And / trust 1t will do someth ,hg
to remind the people Of the country of the
fearful precipice over which they stand,
and remind them that they should be more
careful than they have been in entrusting
their lives. fortunes, and military desti- |
MES to illimitable executive power
The discussion was proceeding when 2 |
, clock arrived and the unfinished bust |
less-the Philippine bill-was laid before |
he Senate. 1t was informally laid aside, |
however, at the suggestion of Mr.. Hale, |
who called attention to the fact that there |
we're many speeches TO be made on the |
quay case and that that case would have
o be disposed of next Tuesday.
Mr.. Daniel continued his remarks on
he Bacon resolution to the extra pay
nd emolument of Army officers in Cuba
nd Porto Rice. He declared that the doe
rine enumerated by Mr.. Platt would ie-
nit this country to the most complete
nilitarism and absolutism that the world
ad ever known.
Mr.. Chandler expressed his dissent ON
he doctrine stated by the Senator from
hat the military power of the President
u Cuba could not be controlled by
egislation of Congress; and he (Mr.
'handler) entire ely dissented from that
octrine. He admitted that allowances
light legally be made TO cover the ex-
enses of Army officers in Cuba who wers
military duties; but he did not
hink that their salaries could be legally
lcreased. AS TO the decoration of pal
ces," Mr.. Chandler suggested that
ainting and embarrassing and fumigat-
lg might be characterized as de Grating.
I he visited the Senator from Georgia at
is home in Macon and found that TIE
enator had had It painted and white
'ashed he would not consider that it had
cen decorated.
But whatever money was spent on it,
IT. Bacon interposed, would be my own
honey, not that of the Government"
NO doubt" said Mr. Chandler. and so
Will be found that all the decoration of
he palaces in Cuba has been made not
it'll the money Of the United States, hut
18th the money collected in Cuba by the
rmy. | do not care how good time
eneral Brooke and our Army officers may
ave had in the Captain Generals palace,
nd hope that the President of the Cuban
epublic Will enjoy himself there If
1uld give a vote for that office ! would
i've it TO Gen. Maxine Gomez"
After some further discussion the two
solutions offered by MIR. Bacon were
greed TO.