Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-25
(By Telegraph to virginian-Pilot.)
ment Bill.

(By Telegraph to Virginian-P ilot)
Washington, May 24.-The duty of the
United States towards it's island pos
sessions" was the subject of heated
discussion in the Senate again to-day.
Soon after the Senate convened, Mr..
Bacon, of Georgia, began an extended
reply to the speech Mr.. Platt Connect
cuD delivered yesterday His speech
was largely supplemental to that which
he delivered several days ago demand
Ing an investigation of Cuban financial
affairs. His resolution. to which there
is little or no opposition, under the
rules went to the Committee on Contin-
gent Expenses.
The remainder of the afternoon was
occupied by Mr.. Spooner, of Wiscon-
sin, in concluding his speech on the
Philippine question. The debate which
he aroused took a turn decidedly polit-
ical. He charged the so-caled anti
imperialists with creating an issue
which is not legitimate. Many of his
statements were controverted by Mr..
Allen. of Nebraska. and Mr.. Pettigrew,
of South Dakota, and the controversy
at times became almost personal.
bill providing for the investigation
of the historical archives and public re-
cords of the several States and terri
tories and OF the United States with
u view TO their preservation by publ
cation was passed.
INDIAN APPROPRIATIONS.
The conference report on the Indian
appropriation bill was agreed TO.
Mr. Bacon (Georgia) then called up
his resolution and made his reply to
Mr.. Plat. He said the great purpose of
the investigation was to ascertain
whether by fraudulent contracts or
other devices of corruption the millions
handled by the officials in Cuba had
been disposed Of dishonesty. He said
there had been great looseness in the
conduct of Cuban affairs, and that the
Government departments there showed
most enormous and unparalleled salary
lists.
He denied any purpose of making
any campaign capital. and said in view
Of what had been disclosed it was un-
reasonable to ask that the investigation
be left to the postal Office department
The construction of the military rail-
road along the Havana harbor, Mr..
Bacon said, had cost S342,6l1,t and the
matter ought to be rigidy investigated.
He said, too, that Robert u. Porter, as
a tariff expert was paid Il salary of
$500 month for five months, during
which time he drew $1,000 as expense
money. He understood the money-lr,,s-
paid out of the fifty million emergency
fund.
He called attention to the reported
fact that what was known as the Van
Horne syndicate had been organized
with capital of $4,000, 900. in whose
interest. he said, 1t was understood Mr..
Porter had gone to Europe.
lnasmuch as the tariff on machinery
and equipment of railroads had been re-
commended to be reduced from 40 to 10
per cent. by Mr.. Porter, he believed
that the matter required keen and
Jealous scrutiny.
In conclusion, Mr.. Bacon said:
Il would like. before adjournment,
to see action taken that will allow the
nation to redeem it's pledge and to leave
the Island of Cuba in the presence of
n free and independent governments"
1t was then agreed that the Senate
tomorrow and Saturday meet at II
o'clock a. IN.
CLARK MATTER WEDNESDAY.
Mr.. Chandler chairman of the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections
moved that the resolution as to the
Montana Senatorial case be Postponed
until Wednesday. the Goth instant, and
the motion was agreed to.
At the instance of Mr.. Platt. of Con
necticut. the resolution of Mr.. Bacon
was referred to the Committee on Con
tingent Expenses.
Mr.. Spooner then resumed his Phil
ippine speech. He maintained that the
facts proved the attack upon the United
States troops was not only made by
Aguinaldo. but had long been premedi-
tated. Without limit. he declared, evil
dence could be accumulated to estab-
lish the fact of Aguinaldo's treachery.
Mr.. Spooner reviewed at length the
events which led up to the hostlities
on February 4, and declared that mo-
body but an anti-imperialist, who. by
his words and actions, desired the dis
honor of his country and the making
of campaign material in a Presidential
year could have SO little of good faith
rs to make the brutal charge against
thu President of the United States that
he had been responsible for the precip-
itaticn OF histilities."
In discussing further along the re-
sponsibility for the continuation OF hos
tilities. Mr.. Spooner quoted the dispatch
from General Otis giving an account of
an interview he had had with Judge
Torres one of the Filipino commission
ers, who suggested that n neutral zone
be established between the hostile ar
niles. General Otis Informed him that
such suggestion must come from Ag-
uinaldO. and when Torres sent to Ag-