Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-05-24
THIEVES IN CUBA
SHALL NOT ESCAPE.
The President Determined That iil Shall
BE Brought to Justice Plat De-
Tended the Administration.

1TOdE HI tO JabAtCS t8hi Dc-
Tended the Administration.
WASHINGTON, May 24.--What by far
seeing senators is regarded as likely to
be the paramount Issue of the national
campaign was the subject of two nota-
ole speeches in the senate, one by Mr..
Platt, of Connecticut, and the other by
Mr.. Spooner, of Wisconsin. The for
mer was an answer to the speech deliy-
cred a few days ago by Mr.. Bacon, of
Georgia, on his resolution demanding
an investigation of financial affairs in
Cuba. Mr. Platt favored the adoption
of the resolution, but deprecated what
he declared was cheap effort to make
political capital out Of shameful con-
dition of affairs, which the Republican
party needed no prodding to induce it to
probe to the bottom.
He strongly defended the administra-
ton and made public a letter of instruc-
ton given by Postmaster General Smith
to Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow, which read in part:
You will, Immediately on your arrival at
Havana, confer freely and fully with General
Wood, military governor, and viii keep in con-
slant communication with him in the work on
which you enter. You will cooperate with
the military governor, both in the investiga-
ton Of all irregularities in the postal service
OF Cuba and in any measures fer the reorgani-
cation of the yatem that may be undertaken.
The irregularities and speculations which
have been brought to light were apparently
accomplished because officers appointed by
and responsible to different departments, and
who should have been check upon each
other, entered into collision and conspiracy to
perpetrate these wrongs on the one side and to
pass and cover them upon the other. You
will carefully investigate by what defects of
supervision defense they were consunl-
mated and what further measures of protec-
ton in the passing and auditing of accounts
and in the handling of public funds and prop
erty may be needed.
1t is desired also that the central organza-
ton Of the postal service in Cuba shall receive
your special attention. You will examine as
to whether it is framed in the best manner for
efficient administration. You will see wheth-
er compatibly with good mail service for the
people any retrenchmcats can be made, and
whether economics can be effected by con
soldation and reduction of bureaus. 1t is de
sir ed to bring the postal expenditures within
the postal revenues so far may be consistent
with the obligation of providing satisfactory
nail service
You presence in Cuba, as the representa-
tive of the department, with these instruc-
tions, makes you the ranking officer of the
postal administration. You will consider and
advise what removals other action may be
required in the cause of justice, for the inter
est OF the government and the people of Cuba
and for the welfare of the service.
You are chosen for this duty with the APP
prevail of the president, who is deeply shocked
at the shameful betrayal of trust ON the part
Of officials in whom confidence had been re
posed, and who directs that in dealing with all
Irregularities which have been or may be dis.
closed the sole rule of action shall be thorough
and complete investigation the rigorous and
unsparing prosecution OF all guilty persons,
and their swift and condign punishment.
The speech of Mr.. Spooner was con-
tinuation of his address of Tuesday on
the Philippine question. In its course
he became involved in heated and sem
sational colloquy with Mr.. Hale, of
Maine, over the governments conduct
of affairs in our "insular possessions. :"
1t was a remarkable controversy between
two of the best equipped debaters in the
senate, and was listened to with pro-
found attention by senator's, many rep
resentatives and crowded galleries Mr..
Spooner will continue his speech today