The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-04-22

openly.
In an extended discussion of the sinh
Ject, Mr. Plat of Connecticut expressed
the opinion that it would be found that
no officer had received an additional
salary. Allowances probably had been
made, and he deemed such allowances
as perfectly proper. He pointed out
that Cuba was not now, and probably
never would be a part of the United
States 1t was foreign territory. 1t
was occupied by the army of this coun-
try under command of the president, in
consonance with international law. In
this case, he said. the military author
ity was supreme. and was limited only
IN It's administration OF the affairs of
the island by the provisions of interna-
tional law.
The president was the chief power on
the island, and there could be no other
power there. Mr.. Plat thought that if
there mad been extravaganza it ought
10 be remedied, but congress had no
control over the present administration
of Cuba 1t was under military-eXec-
utive-and not legislative control
Can we not direct the president to
withdraw the army from Cuba?" in
quired Mr.. TilEman.
That is one thing we can do" re-
piled Mr.. Plat.
DO ilOl UIle dClS OF congress cOrIfOl
in Cuba?" asked Mr.. Daniel (Va).
NO" replied Mr.. Plat, sharply
DO not the laws of the United States
as to the pay and emoluments of Of
ficers of the army apply in Cuba?" per-
sisted Mr.. Daniel.
Cuban Occupation Military.
"As to the pay and emoluments Of
army officers, yes replied Mr.. Plat.
-, el,o - -,
no. Our occupation of Cuba is military,
and is under executive, and. not legis-
lative authority"
Where does the president get this
great authority" again asked Mr..
Daniel.
From the constitution" replied Mr..
Platt. "As commander -in-chief of the
army, the president has authority far
beyond the power which may be con-
ferced upon him by congress-"
Mr.. Daniel, replying TO Mr.. Platt, eX-
pressed surprise at the statements
made by the Connecticut senator 1t
was the first time, he said, that he had
even heard the doctrine of absolutism
of the president of the United States
asserted on the senate floor.
Isn't this simply the poisoning Of
the imperialistic tree2'' suggested Mr.
Tillman
1T is not the blossoming of the tree. %
continued Mr.. Daniel 1T is far be-
ting of the fruit. It will fall from the
tree of it's own weight. In falling, 1
trust 1t win dc something TO remind the
people Of the country of the fearful
precipice on the brink Of which they
are standing
Can Make Allowances.
NJ CSl,o-zIos o.-uz.7 .,-;e1. NJ, r1fo++
that the president could make allow
ances for the military officers in Cuba,
but he did not believe that he could
legally increase their salaries.
On the question of the control of the
military Mr.. Chandler held that mill
tary officers serving in foreign terri
tory were subject to the control of the
laws passed by congress.
Mr.. Tillman considered the discus
sion as premature, and thought it had
been sprung by the Republican sena-
the acknowledgment of the secretary
Of war that he had been making addi-
tional payments to army officers which
were unwarranted.
The senior senator from South Dakota
complained that the administration
was generally slow in responding to
resolutions of inquiry, saying that three
months naQ elapsed SINCE information
now sought had been called for. The
resolutions were then agreed to with
out division.
Quay Case Discussed.
The Quay resolution was taken up
and Mr.. Perkins (Cal.) spoke in favor
OF the seating of Mr.. Quay as a sena-
tor from Pennsylvania on the appoint
ment of the governor. He said he was
not actuated in assuming this position
! by mere personal motives, but that he
was controlled by the law and the con-
stitution.
Mr. Perkins contended that the gov
ernor of a state ought to have the
power to appoint a senator IL the event
of the failure of the legislature to elect,
and in the case under consideration he
believed he had that power, and the
appointment of Mr.. Quay was entirely
( proper.
To his mind the case indicated the
need of a change in the method OF
/ electing United States senators. He
/ believed that year by year it was be-
/ coming more obvious that senators
| should be elected by the people, and he
/ expressed the belief that congress
should submit to the legislatures a
/ constitutional amendment to that end
At the conclusion of Mr. Perkins
! speech the Quay case was laid aside
until Monday. The senate then, at 40;
p. m, adjourned.