The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-25
DUTY TO COLONIES.
"lsland Possessions" Again the Sub.
lect Of Heated Controversy.
SPOONER ON POLITICAL PHASE.
Wisconsin Senator Claimed Issue the
Created Was Not Legitimate.
STATEMENTS CONTROvERTED BY ALLEN
Nebraskan Pinned SpoOner Down to Facts
in The Case.
~ assiyED OF THE FRAUDS IN CUBA
spe. go mental to the One De-
mana !nvestigation--COrru
ton should BE Looked Into.

Washington, May 24.-The duty OF the
United States toward its island possess
sions" was the subject of heated discus
sion in the senate again today Soon after
the senate convened Mr.. Bacon (Ga.) be-
gan an extended reply TO the speech OF
Mr.. platt, delivered yesterday His speech
was largely supplemental to that which
he delivered several days ago demanding
an investigation Of Cuban financial af-
fairs His resolution, 20 which there was
little or no opposition under the rules,
went to the committee on contingent ex-
penses.
The remainder of the afternoon was oc-
cuped by Mr.. spooner CWis.) in conclud-
ing his speech on the Philippine question.
The debate which he aroused took a turn
decidedly political. He charged the So
called anti imperialists with creating an
issue which was not Legitimate. Many of
his statements were controverted by Mr..
Allen (Neb) and Mr.. Pettigrew IS. d..
and the controversy at times BECAME al
most personal.
Mr.. Bacon In the senate today called
UP his resolution directing the committee
on relations with Cuba to investigate the
receipts and expenditures of money IN
Cuba and addressed the senate in answer
to the speech delivered by MIR. Piatt
Comm yesterday. He maintained 1t was
a duty congress owed to the country and
to the Cubans to make the Investigation.
There had, he said been such loossncss
in the conduct Of Cuban affairs that it
called for most rigid and searching in
vestigation. He said the great purpose
OF the investigation which ne proposed
was not SO much 10 entrap the man or
men who might have stolen hundreds OF
thousands as an expert accountant might
do. but to ascertain whether by fraudulent
con tracts or other devices of corruption
the millions handled by the officials in
Cuba had been disposed of dishonesty
Mr.. Bacon said further that his purpose
was TO ascertain whether these millions
had been expended honestly, economically
and properly even though the books might
balance ana might show no discrepancies.
He called attention to the large e=pendi-
lures made by the officers in Cuba for per
diem" miscellaneous" Salaries" Car
riages and equipment" and declared these
syciects never had been investigated, al
though the postoffice departments atten-
ti-n had been directed to them. There had
been, he said, sIch a looseness and q lack
OF business methods in the conduct of Gu
Ian STAIRS that It called for a most rigid
investigation. He declared, in discussing
the various departments of the Cuban gov
eminent. that 1.-THE most enormous salary
lists were shown that anybody ever saw. =
The civil salary list alone for 1899 was
over $1,000 roo, which he thought was I'M
paralleled. MIR. Bacon declared thant no
account of the enormous expenditures for
tho first half OF 1899 had been made TO
the government and he said that in view
OF the facts brought out It was unreason-
able to ask that the investigation should
be left TO the postofflce.
Mr.. Bacon declared that the American
people. regardless of party. were de-
terminsd that the Cuban scandal should
be sifted to the bottom, and he said thai
the Investigation would not be limited q
the extent suggested by Mr.. Platt in his
speech Of yes;erdsy. He denied that he
cherished any purpose OF making campaign
capital.
Adverting to the construction Of the
military railroad along Havana harbor
Mr.. Bicon said he had learned that the
road cost s342611 This, he believed was
an exorbtant su mdemanding rigid in
vestigation. He sharply criticised, too the
| payment to Robert ?, Porter, as A tarln
expert. ri $500 month for five montNs
( besides $1,000 as expense money He de
F., sired also to direct attention to me re-
ported fact that the Van Horne sHndlea
/ had hesn organized with capital OF
! S. enc 600 and that Mr.. Porter had gone
1 10 Europe In the interest OF his syndicat
! Inssmuch as the tariff on maehiuery and
equipment Of railroads had t"91 recom'
mended to b. reduced from 40 to 10 pei
| cent by Mr.. Porter, he believed that thf
matter required keen and Jealous
scrutiny
Referring to the speech OF Mr.. Plat
he said his cheek did mantle with the
blush OF shame at the speculation THEY
cry. fraud and corruption in Cuba. mol
because he was Singing mud. but be-
| cause he was an American citizen. Con-
eress. In the Interest OF the corntry''
honor. ought to cause an Investigation =
be made without fear, without favor and
with upriehtness OF purpose
! In conclusion. Mr.. Bacon said; Il would
| like. hsfore adjournment. 70 sec action
that will allow the Nation 70 redfsm rs
pledge and to iesve the Island ~ GUS
in the rreseDce Of free ind indepsnd-
emf government"
At the instance OF Nr. Plat Conn,
the resolution Of Mr., Bacon was re'erre1
to The committee on contingent eyrerses
Mr.. sroaner then resumed his speecn
nm the Philippine question, He nam
fained that the tarts proved TIE sitacs
upon the United states troons was not OIL
nlais nv Aguir aldc hist rad been lore
uremeditsted He declared thai 'noood
hu. an contemporaries who BY his worS
and actions desired the dishonor o. us
rnuntrv and the making Of cimrai-p ms
terisl In a presidential year could nave
50 little OF good faith as 10 mpHe we
brutal charge AGAINST the president o. We
United gates thst ne had been rsznorsi-
bic for the PRECIPITATION Of hosiiliies.
Mr.. srooner quoted disoeieh from
canarat Ctte giving an account OF an IN