The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22
THE BACON RESOLUTIONS
Both Adopted by the Senate After
General Discussion.
The Secretary OF War Requested 10
Furnish Information Concerning
Pay and Emoluments of Army OF
fcers in Cuba and Porto Rico
Criticism From Mr.. Pettigrew'

After a long general discussion the Sen
ate yesterday adopted the two resolutions
introduced by MIR. Bacon on Friday calling
upon the Secretary OF War for information
relative to United States Army oineers'
who are. or have been, performing cNll
duties in Cuba OF Porto Rico, the nrst
as to salaries or other compensation al
lowed them in addition to their regular
nav as officers. and the second as TO the
amounts expended for quarters, servants,
and euuipages intended for their use.
Messrs. Pettigrew. Bacon. and Daniel ar
gued in support of an investigation OF the
matter. and against the right Of the Presi-
dent or the Secretary OF War TO authorize
such additional expenditures. and Messrs.
Carter. Hawley. Stewart, and Plat Of Con-
uecticut told Of the necessity for extra
allowances in the cases referred to, and
defended the action Of the officials who
were said to have granted them.
when first laid before the Senate ooth
the Bacon resolutions were adopted With
out opposition or discussion. but upon MI
Pettigrew's rising to make some remarks
upon the subject, the second resolution
was recalled for consideration at the sug-
gestion Of Mr. Chandler. who said that
action would be necessary in order TO per
nit a discussion Of the resolutions
MIR. Pettigrcw's Resolution.
Mr.. Pettigrew referred to a resolution
introduced by him last February calling
upon the Secretary Of War for informa-
tion. which. he said, II it had been fur
- lions
asked in the Bacon resolution. He mad
introduced the resolution because he be-
ueyed be had accurate Information tnat
Army officers in Cuba and Porto RICO were
being paid large salaries and that great
sums OF money were being expended IN
Identifying and enlarging the palaces in
which those officers lived; that expensive
carriages and horses. etc. we're used, and
hiatt the officers were living in regal
stvle as was customary with the oilcers
OF Spain He read extracts from the reply
10 his resolution sent by the Secretary OF
War and said that il contained a mass
Of figures that gave no information what
ever.
Mr. Pettigrew said he hoped the reso-
luton Of Mr. Bacon would he more sue
oessful in eliciting Information, and that
in the case Of the one introduced by him
the Administration had simply teen car
rvinc out its policy OF having resolutions
calling for unpleasant Investigations either
buried in a committee or left unanswered
bv the officer from whom information was
asked.
Mr. Hawley. Chairman of the Commit
tee on Military Affairs resented the 'feck-
less and unsupported statements made by
the Senator from South Dakota tMr. Pet
tigrew) that the Administration desired
20, Ia al Of This nature from
the knowledge OF the public. he
stated that all Of the reply TO Mr.. Pet
tigrews resolution had not yet been sent,
but was in process Of preparation and
that when completed il would certainly
furnish all the information asked for.
MIR. Pettigrew interposed the remark
that his resolution was passed three months
ego. Mr.. Carter then made some remarks
IN which he supported the action Of The
various officials. both in regard TO answer
ing the enquiries and 10 granting extra al
lowsnces to Army officers in Cuba. He
said that he had been TO the War Depart
ment that morning and had seen there foul
bound volumes OF typewriter matter wllcl
had been prepared in response to The
Pettigrew resolution. Nj Carter said thai
he had Investigated the subject and thai
additional salaries had net been granted
10 Army officers on duty either in Cubs
or in Porto Rico. When the United State'
assumed the functions OF government il
those islands Army officers were assigne,
10 perform both civil and military dutie,
and their expenses were Of necessity con.
sideTably increased He instanced III,
case Of ar officer Of his own Acquaintance
who found il impossible to met his add
tiOual necessary expenses out OF his regu
lar pay. He therefore asked TO be re
ieved from duty IN Cuba OF given an al
lowanCe for expenses He was given al
allowance Of 81 SOC a wear, because th,
Secretary Of War and the President fel
that the officer ought not virtually TO b.
fined for the performance OF duties Q,
which be was assigned.
Expenses which Are Necessary.
Replying to an enquiry by Mr.. Cockrel
as TO the kind Of expenses which n.adD
these extra allowances necessary Nh. Car
ter said that there were any number o
expenses attendant upon positions such o
those officers were occupying which d.
gentleman could or would refuse 20 nee
This he said, was true Of the Presiden
Of the United States. and IL was true @
The Governor General Of Cuba. % was eyi
dent that the officers in Cuba needed III
additional money for expenses which the
would not incur in the discharge of thei
regular military duties
The allowances made in such cases. D.
declared. were not extra pay. but yer
temporary allowances made by the Presi
Gent 10 meet expenses incurred iu counec
tion with their duties The President. b
said. was in supreme command In Cubs
answcrable, in measure. 10 Congress hu
was not disposing Of any money over Nhic
Congress had direct control The amount
paid were not paid out OF the Treasury
the United States. bat out OF the revenue
Of the island and were merely TO rae,
The expenses Of the military Occupation
Mr. Tillman suggested that 81 might .
well 20 wait until the resolutions were %
swered before entering upon a discussiC
Of them. we on the other side" said n
want 70 know something on this quest io
and have not had the advantage OF lnsit
information from the War Department"
How can the Senator know he will }
on the other side. 90 Interrupted Mr. Chan,
Ter. until be hears the evidence
I'm always safe IN being on the OPP,
site side from the Senator from Ne
Hampshire" reto-ted Mr.. Tilma1. thong
he's usually with me iu trying to preyeI
steals, and ] hope that when be hears n
facts he viii fall into line ia opposite
10 this one
Mr. Stewart spoke in support az n
action Of the War Department 30 grantl
allowances 10 officers in Cuba for oNtr.
ordinary expenses made necessary hy re.
son OF their duties
Mr. Bacon. the author o. tile resolution
entered into a long discussion Of the ma
ter. re strongly opposed the argumel
that Tire President could collect aud di
hurse the revenues OF Cuba as be sa
ft and without restraint and declar,
that he did rot have that power. lie mail
tanned that the laws Of the United stat
expressly forbade the giving 10 Army of
GERS Of any additional compensation abo