The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-05-25


other. This is the system Of the United
States government. The irregularities
and REGULATIONS which have been
brought to light were apparently ac-
comp1ished because officers appointed
by and responsible to different depart
ments, and who should have been a
check upon each other, entered into
collusion and conspiracy to perpetuate
these wrongs on the one side and to
pass and cover them upon the other.
You will carefully investigate by what
defects of supervision or defence they
were consummated, and what further
measures of protection in the passing
and auditing of accounts and in the
handling Of public funds, and property
may be needed.
1T is desired also that the central
organization Of the postal service in
Cuba shall receive your special atten-
ton. You will examine as to whether
it is framed in the best manner for ef-
ficient administration. You will see
whether compatbly with a good mail
service for the people, any retrench-
ments can be made, and whether econ
omies can be effected by a consolida-
ton and reduction of bureaus. 1t is de-
sired to bring the postal expenditures
within the postal revenues so far as
may be consistent with the obligation
of providing satisfactory mail service.
Your presence in Cuba, as the repre-
sentative of the department with these
instruction makes you the ranking Of
ficer of the postal administration. You
will consider and revise what other ac-
ton may be required in the cause of
justice, for the interest of the govern
ment and the people of Cuba, and for
the welfare of the service.
You are chosen for this duty wiz
the approval of the president, who is
deeply shocked at the shameful be-
oil NJ rCt on ln of 10 =
ficials in whom confidence had been
reposed, and who directs that in deal
ing with all irregularities which have
been or may be disclosed the sole rule
of action shall be thorough and COM
plete investigation, the rigorous and
unsparing prosecution of all guilty
| persons, and their swift and condign
punishment.
You will communicate these inStruc-
| tions to General Wood, keeping him
fully informed as you proceed, and re-
| porting regularly to the department.
CHARLES EMORY SMITH,
POSTMASTER General
Senator Tillman called attention to
| the railroad constructed along the
south side of Havana harbor and sug-
| gested he would produce some wit
nesses regarding that matter if it was
| investigated.
Senator Platt said that Director of
\ POSTS was
we'll merited, but if he were found in
| volved in these financial difficulties he
would be punished unsparingly. Nicely,
| he said. had the confidence of the
| people of Indiana, but went wrong,
! bringing disgrace and humiliation on
| this country rather than upon the ad-
ministration. The allowances to Unit
| ed States officers in Cuba, he said.
We're reasonable and proper.
| Senator Bacon, of Georgia, wanted
| to. know why we did not come away
from Cuba.
| The conference report on the army
! appropriation bill was then agreed to-
| Senator Spooner resumed the speech
he began yesterday on the Philippines
| and on the Cuban situation.
Senator Hale, of Maine, suggested it
| would have been better if we had
| abandoned Cuba in view of what had
! happened. He said we had been better
| off if we had not taught the Cubans
the lesson that has been taught in the
| peculation, cheating, appropriation OF
| revenues, stealing, carnival in every
direction of corruption and fraud.
Senator Spooner (warmly)-IJ is a
| little tireSome for me to be called upon
on this side of the chamber to reply
to a democratic speech.
Senator Hale-I am as good a repub-
| I do not recognize any party obliga-
tiOns that compel me to consent to the
proposition that everything has gone
right in Cuba.
Senator Spooner-Nobody pretends
| it.
Senator Hale 1 would vote tomor-
row to withdraw from Cuba and leave
that people to establish and set up an6
! maintain their own government. The
time will soon come when republicans
will be glad when we get out of thi!
| thing without worse things happening
than are now.
Senator Spooner-What does the sen.
ator mean? He speaks in general
terms of carnival of fraud and cor
| ruption?
Senator Hale-I mean the things
disclosed. A bill of particulars has
been filed already. 1t is not the admin
istration that is at fault. 1t is the nat
ural result. There never has been ar
instance of the setting up of a supreme
government in a colony or dependency
that has not been attended with pre-
cisely the things that we have seen il
Cuba. Congress is as much at fault
The administration is not at fault
The administration has selected mer
who are believed to be good men. We
went into it with utter confidence, be-
iieving that it was an easy thing.
Senator Spooner-We went to war tc
free Cuba. Have We done Cuba and the
Cubans no kindness by pouring ou
millions of our money and shedding
the blood of our soldiers in order t.
drive Spanish tyranny forever from
Cuba? Has the senator any suspicion
in his mind or in his heart that the
pledge made in the resolution passed
by congress as to the temporary char.
acter of our occupation in Cuba is moi
to be kept?
Senator Hale-I have very grave sus.
picion. I think there are very power.
full influences in this country, largely
located in New York city, largely spec.
ulative and connected with money
making enterprises, that are deter.
mined that we shall never give uI
Cuba. think that the time will never
come unless something earnest an6
drastic is done by congress that tht
soldiers Of the United States will b,
withdrawn from Cuban soil. do MOI
think the president favors holding
Cuba. discovered very powerful in
f1uences commercial, mercantile
money and pOlitical-that are OPPOSED