The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-17
DEMANDS AN INVESTIGATION.
BACON SAYS FRAUDS HAVE BEEN
PERPETRATED IN CUBA.

That Cuba's Funds Are Properly
Administered.
Washington, May 16-Discussion of the
administration of affairs in Cuba by
agents of the United States occupied the
attention of the Senate during the greater
part of to-day's session.
Mr.. Bacon of Georgia called up his res
| olution directing the Committee on Rela-
| tons With Cuba to make an investiga-
ton of the conduct of financial affairs
of the island and addressed the Senate at
length upon it. He maintained it was the
duty of Congress TO make the investiga-
tion called for by the resolution because
| 1t was due the people of this country to
| know just how affairs in che island were
being conducted; and since the disclosures
of the past few days had been made with
respect to the alleged misrepresentation
of funds in the postal service, The obli-
cation upon Congress to make an inves-
tigation was doubly heavy.
He reviewed the situation as recently
presented in newspaper and official re-
ports from the island and urged that the
honor of the country depended upon its
being able TO clear away the fraud and
corruption which, it was charged, had
been discovered. He maintained the gov
ernment of the United States had no au-
thority in Cuba and demanded 10 know
how soon it proposed to redeem its pledge
and leave the government of the island
| to its inhabitants.
Cuba's Money for Cuba.
Mr.. Bacon submitted the proposition that
| there could be 10 more mandatory duty
I hot la afg.1,
States that every dollar collected in Cuba
| should be applied to the peop,e OF Cuba.
| The United States was a. self-consHtuted
agent in Cuban affairs
There were, he said, the still higher OBJ
| legations of national honor to investigate
! Perhaps at no time had any people consti-
tuted themselves the agent for a trust
such as that we had imposed upon our
| selves in Cuba. In the degree of honor
with which this duty was performed
would the country be adjudged by the
world.
1t was, he said, plain duty of Con-
gress to see to it that every dollar col
iected in Cuba should be honestly handled
and rlgidiy accounted for, a task difficult
however, because of the system Of absolut-
Cuba.
But" he declared. I'VE are net urged
alone by the voice of duty. The facts urge
the investigation to be made. There has
| heen in Cuba the most exhorbiant and ex-
treyagant expenditure of money"
IF, he said, I'VE had before us ouly
the naked fact the receipts on the island
| during a single year were more than Sl6-
! Ce0,000 aud The expenditures more than
| SlA,0G ,0G0 we would be hound to investi-
| gate the subject to see that this vast sum
had been properly and prudently handled"
At this point Mr. Chandler, chairman of
| the Committee on Privileges ard Elections
ha len1o -. NJ.
Clark of Montana was not entitled to a
seat in the Senate and asked that 1t be
postponed until Saturday next until
| O'Clock in order that the committee NAV
consider what action shall be taken. The
| request was agreed TO.
CubG's Expense Too Heavy.
Continuing. Mr. Bacon presented state-
| ment showing The receipts and e1psnd-
| lures Of the various states, Including Geor-
gia, Missouri and Massachusetts. Thy
were in every instance less than those of
| Cuba.
These expenditures in Cuba" said Mr.
Bacon. are 50 much larger in prep ltion
| than those of many states that, even were
! there no rumoTs of extravaganza end f-aud
and corruption in connection vi h Cuban
affairs they would call In trumpet tones
! for an investigation. We have fa4 AL
sorts of accusations in the press Of the
country and family there have been adnis-
!
| fairs or the island"
Mr.. Bacon discussed at length the allow
ances made tc various officers in Cuba by
| direction of the then Secretary of War
Gen. Alser. He inquired why such alI7pvA.
| Gnces were not made to'Gen. Wilson eni
Gen. Lee. He read the order Of Gen. AL
ger making an allowance Of 1850 per YER
in addition TO his salary to Gov. Gen.
Brooke.
What is there" Mr. Bacon INQUIRED in
the Office of the governor general Of Cub,
which requires him TO exercise functions
Of greater dignity than a general c M
manding an army in the field; to give Inn
vice regal authority"
ExtravngaEt Use of Funds.
Mr.. Bacon declared that one of the
prominent affairs in Cuba had used the
Cuban funds with which to purchase per-
sonal apparel, and that there were we'll
founded rumors that there had been the
most extravagant expenditure Of Cuban
| funds for fitting up luxurious quarters for
officers and furnishing these officers
horses, carriages and livered servants.
"Stin further" said he, within the past
week the fact has been disclosed-a fact
that brings blush Of shame TO the cheek
| of every American citizen-that trusted
| officials In Cuba have misapproprated
large amounts belonging to the people Of
| Cuba. Nobody knows how large these
| amounts are At first 1t was stated they
were $4,000; next ii was said they would
amount to $4,000; and now 1t is estimated
| the amounts may aggregate 100000 AZ
FIRST one man only was involved in the diff
iculty. Now there are many-so many
that it IS intlmated 1t may amount to a
conspiracy"
Mr.. Bacon then referred directly 10 the
| alleged embezzement of postal funds IN
| Cuba, and read the order under which
| Rathbone was acting as director of posts
| OF Cuba. The power conferred upon him
| BY that order was so great said Mr.
Bacon. that It had resulted IN a disgrace
full and Notifying condition Of affairs.
Interrupung Mr. Bacon, Mr.. Hale Of
Maine, asserted that the order creating
| Mai. Rathbone's Office was of "a character
| Of power such as was given to Roman pro-
| consuls. There Is nothing like 1t in this
| government. 1t is power unrestrained,
unOridled."
should BE Investigated.
Mr. Bacon said he had understood that
| the majority OF the Committee on Rela-
I n n.