Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-17

PIE constituted themselves Tue agent lOr
Il trust such as that we have imposed
OF honor with which this duty WAS per-
formed would the country be Judged by
the world
1t was, he said, 4 plain duty of Con-
gress to see to II that every dollar col
lected in Cuba should be honestly ham
died and rigidy accounted for. a task
difficult, however. because OF the system
OF abSolutism in vogue in our admins
tration in Cuba. But" he declared.
we are not urged alone by the voice Of
duty. The facts urge the investigation
the most exorbitant and eXtravagant
expenditure of money. IT," he said, I'VE
had before us only the naked fact that
the receipts on the island during q sim
gle year were more than $4,000. 600 and
the expenditures more than $4,000, 900,
we would be bound to investigate the
subject to see that this vast sum had
been properly and prudently handled"
SENATOR CLARK'S SEAT.
At this point Mr.. Chandler. chairman
of the Committee ON Privileges and
Elections. called IN the resolution de-
ciaring that MIR. Clark. of Montana.
was not entitled to q seat in the Sem
ate. and asked that 1T be postponed
until Saturday next at O'Clock in
order that the committee may consider
what action shall be taken. The re-
quest was agreed 10.
MIR. Bacon discussed at length the
allowances made to various officers In
Cuba by direction OF the then Secretary
of War. General Alger. He inquired
why such allowances were not made
20 General Wilson and General Lee.
lie read the order of General Alger
making an allowance of $500 per year,
IN addition to his salary. to General
Brooke
What is there" Mr.. Bacon inquired,
lin the office OF the Governor General
OF Cuba which requires him to exercise
functions of greater dignity than
general commanding an army in the
held: to give him vice regal authority?"
M". Bacon declared that one of the
prominent officials in Cuba had used
the Cuban funds With which to pur-
chase personal apparel. and that there
were we'll founded rumors that there
had been the most extravagant expen-
diture Of Cuban funds for fitting up
luxurious quarters for officers and fur
nishinS those officers horses, carriages
and liveried servants.
still further" said he, within the
past week the fact has been disclosed-
fact that brings the blush of shame
To the cheek of every American citizen
that trusted officials In Cuba have
Incorporated large amounts belong
ing to the people OF Cuba Nobody
knows how large these amounts are.
Al first 1t was stated they were $50 600;
next 1t was said they wouiu amount to
10000. and now 1t Is intimated the
amount may aggregate 100000 At
iirst one man only was involved In the
diifculty. Now there are many-so
many that It Is intimated il may
amount to n conspiracy"
RATHBONHS GREAT POWER.
Mr.. Bacon then referred directly to
the alleged embezzlement OF postal
funds In Cuba. and read the order UNI
der which Major Rathbone was acting
rs director of pests of Cuba The
power conferred upon him by that or
uer was SO great, said Mr. Bacon, that
1t had resulted In disgraceful and
notifying condition Of affairs.
lnterruptinG Mr.. Bacon, Mr.. Hale of
Maine. asserted that the order Great
ing Major Rathbone's office of IA char
;tcter or power such as was given 10
Rcman pro- consuls. There is nothing
like II in this Government. 1t Is .
power unrcstrained. unbrided."
Mr.. Bacon said he had understood
that the majority of the Committee on
Relations with Cuba did not desire an
investigat ton of Cuban affairs by Con-
gress because Senators were startled at
the magnitude Of the work, and were
afraid 1t might take the balance Of
the year. If those Senator'S were not
willing, said Mr.. Bacon, 10 undertake
the work, he knew of Senators who
were.
Mr.. Bacon maintained that the United
states Government was not in Cuba by
authority of law. Our officials were
not there in the exercise OF the war
power. nor in possession OF conquered
Cd M,
der an avowal by Congress in the dec
iarat!on of war that the United States
would pacify the island ana then leave
1t 10 the control of It's people. Money
spent that was unnecessary for the pa
ciiication Of the island had been ex-
pended Illegally. He inquired by what
law or right we had introduced our
postal system in the island. and by
what law n governor general or Cuba
had been appointed.
CUBA NOT CONQUERED TERRI
TORY.
In the Philippines and in Porto Rico
we had exercised the power because
they were conquered territory: but
Cuba was not conquered territory.
The resolution was then made subject
to the call of any Senator. Mr. Plat, OF
Connecticut. expressing Il desire to
speak thereon.
piiS were passed granting SlOO
monthly pension to the widow of Gen
eral Lawton; to facilitate the coasting
trade between the United States and
Porto Rico and Hawaii
Seventy-flve pension bills were pass
ed
The conference report on the District
Of Columbia Appropriation bill was
agreed to without debate.
At b:15 p. m. the Senate adjourned.
Watorworks Superinten dents.
O3y Telegraph to Vlrginian- Pilot.)