The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-05-12
iO!ES FROM WASHINGTON
Comment and Criticism of Admin
istration Methods by Capital
Correspondent.
WILD ExTRAVAGARCE OF REPUBLICANS.
Tue Revenues of Cuba Largely ABB
sorbed by War Department IA
vOrites-More Military Elegance
Provided FOr-PhiIippine News Is
Being Withheld.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
Already there are indications of the
extravaganza and disregard of law
which are sure to follow in the wake
of applied Imperialism. The republic
an majority in congress is being forced
to consider some of the ~extravagant
expenditures in Cuba, though they are
very reluctant to do so, fearing the ef-
feet which the inevitable disclosures
will have upon the presidential cam
paign.
Mr.. Mckinley, with his usual lack OF
tact, brought this discussion upon him
self by sending a verbose message to
congress asking permission to have
military officers hold over in Porto
Rico and occupy the civil offices at
double salary until appointments were
made from Washington. This precip-
itated a discussion which brought up
the Cuban matter. There have been
stories afloat in Washington for some
time about the lavish expenditure
which characterized the war depart
ment pets who are supposed to be Civ
ing Cuba an idea of what self govern
ment means.
In the case of Cuba, especially, the
administration always has fervently
disclaimed any desire to exploit i'm
perialist notions. and has often as
sured both the Cuhans and the people
of the United States that its policy in
that island was purely benevolent.
OF course that may all be, but the
American officers seem to be having a
pretty good time there. There is a
general desire among the democrats
in congress to find out just what the
administration and war department
have been doing with the revenues of
Cuba. Secretary Root promises that a
detailed account shall soon be submit
tedto the senate. and it is expected that
it will make very interesting read
ing.
Luxury in Cuba.
It is known that the disbursements
of the Cuban funds up to the close of
1899 reached the tidy sum of 1000. 900,
and a great portion of that amount
has been spent in paying the salaries
and incidentals relative to American
occupation of the island. 1t is said
that Gov. Wood manages to draw about
$1,000 a year from various sources
and other officials in proportion. The
governor generals beautiful palace al
Havana has been reftted for American
use in a style which would make Gen
Weyler turn green with envy.
The meat of the whole proposition
lies in the fact that these army officers
are violating section 1869 of the Re
vised Statutes, which says: mo allow
ance shall be made to officers in add
ton to their pay" 1t is said that the
war department will try to shift re
sponsibility on the matter by saying
that it permitted the extra allowance
from Cuban revenues after the attor
ney general had so advised. and tina
because the amounts were taken from
the Cuban revenues no law OF thu
United States was violated.
The matter of the Cuban eXtrava
gance is not in itself so important, il
is merely a practical illustration O
what is bound to be done all along thu
lime if the Imperialism is to be thu
policy of this country.
In this matter the administratioI
!, and its department officers set them
selves above congress and outsid'
= statute law. and used the revenue
. which should have been held in trus
to pay the debts OF Cuba and rebuilt
S its shattered industries.
The same thing will be done in Port
I Rico under the new tariff and govern
ment law. The war of %subjugation i
being carried on in the Philippines a
an immense cost. for the express pur
: pose of discriminating the natives VIII
I have energy and spirit enough to de
sire independence. That kind of ma
: tives do not lend themselves well t
trust and corporate exploitation.
= When the Cuban matter anne up i,
the senate. Senator Plat was inju
dicious enough to put the administra
= ton policy in a nutshell. He declare
that the president could do as h
. pleased in Cuba without being respor
sible TO congress for his action"
The SIemocrats have c&tended a
I along that imperialism meant the al
sumption of this irresponsible powe
by the president, and that it would /
used to plumber and Cypress the inhal
e itants of the insular possessions.
l. Military Elegance.
The army and navy appropriate
bills show the same wild desire to spen
e money in building up bulwarks for a
autocratic administration. The nav
bill especially provides for the mos
luxurious quarters for a lot of pan
pered cadets at Annapolis. Millions
dollars are asked to build barracks fC
a few young men who will thus becon
: united for actual hard service, shou'
: they ever be needed.
J. The republicans think that the
have succeeded in leaving the way opt
TO pay any price they choose for arm'
y plate, more than S545 n ton, should Il
y Carnegie and Bethlehem combinatiC
desire It. To be sure, a strict co
II s+ruction of the amendment on tn
II point as it moss stands in the hou