Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-24
HALE AND SPOONER ENGAGE
SPIRITED DISPUTE OVER CUBAN &C.
CUPATION.
Former Intimates That There is a De-
man on Carpet BaEgers.

ment's conduct of affairs In our ''insul,r
possessions 1t was a remarkable Con-
troversey between two of the best equipped
debaters in the Senate and was listened to
with profound attention by senators, many
representatives and crowded galleries.
In continuing his speech after The Stars
report closed. Mr.. Spooner incidentally re
ferred to the situation in Cuba.
Mr.. Hale of Maine interrupted him to
say that in view of what had happened in
Cuba it would have been better had we
abandoned it.
Does the senator think" inquired Nj
Spooner. Sin the case have put we should
have abandoned Cuba?''
Il think it would have been the best
thing in the world for us if we had done
it replied Mr.. Hale. Il think if it wern
found that the population in Cuba was as
hostile to us as it had been to Spain we
should have abandoned it and been glad TO
get rid of it"
Well" replied Mr. Spooner that is Il
matter of OF inion. In the case have put
l believe We should have taken Cuba and
held ii. giving to the people of Cuba what
they never had had in the world-ndividual
liberty and good government
Mr.. Hale-"The senator has more c1cti-
dence than have in the experiment we are
trying today of teaching the people of Cuba
honesty and good government. l think we
would have been better off if we had not
taught in the last few MONTHS.
Mr.. Spooner-''What lesson?"
Mr.. Hale-'The lesson of fraud, pecula-
ton. cheating. appropriation of revenues
stealing. carnival in every direction of cor
ruption and fraud
Mr.. Spooner (warmly)-'It is a little tire
So for me to be called upon this side
of the chamber to reply to a democratic
speech
Mr.. Hale-"I am as good a republican as
the senator from Wisconsin. i do not rec
Ognize any party Obligations that compel
me to consent to the proposition that every
thing has gone right in Cuba
Mr.. Spooner-"Nobody pretends it."
Mr.. Hale-'I think the experiment has
been failure. l would vote tomorrow
to withdraw from Cuba and leave that
tain their own government The time will
come when republicans will be glad whco
we get out of this thing without worse
things happening than are now.
What does the senator mean" demanded
Mr.. Spooner, when he speaks in general
terms of a carnival of fraud and corrup-
tiCn?'
Expected what Has Happened.
II mean the things disclosed. A bill of
particulars has been filed already. 1t is
not the administration that is at fault 1t
is natural result There never has been
instance of the setting up of supreme
government in a colony dependency that
Has fpl DteH dtleHueu Will precisely
things that have seen in Cuba Con-
gresS is much at fault. The admins
tration is not al fault. The administration
has selected men who are believed to be
good men We went into it with utter con-
fidence. believing that it easy thing.
! voted against the peace treaty because l
believed colonial dependencies would result
in precisely what has occurred / am glad
to that the administration is trying to
guard it. but do not want anybody to say
that it is an unexpected thing"
Mr., Spooner-'So far as anything l said
is concerned the senator's observations are
in the language of Shakespeare: A bolt of
nothing shot at nothing. 1 am not en-
gagged in the discussion of any proposition
to which the senator's observations are per-
tnent. We went to war to free Cuba.
Have done Cuba and the Cubans no
kindness by pouring out millions of our
money and shedding the blood of our SOL
diers in order to drive Spanish tyranny for
ever from Cuba? Has the senator any sus-
picion in his mind or in his heart that the
pledge made in the resolution passed by
Congress to the temporary character of
our occupation in Cuba is not to be kept
Intention to Hold Cuba.
Mr.. Hale-'1 have very grave suspicion.
1 think there are very powerful influences
In this country. largely located in New
York city, largely speculative and con-
nected with money-making enterprises, that
are determined that we shall never give
up Cuba 1 think that the time will never
come unless something earnest and drastic
is done by Congress that the last soldier
of the United States will be withdrawn
from Cuban soil. l do not think the Presi-
dent favors holding Cuba. 1 discovered
very powerful influences-commercial, mer-
camille money and political-that are op-
posed to our ever withdrawing from Cuba.
1 take up the newspapers that are fore
most in the large cities, and i find every
day intimation and hints that we are never
to withdraw from Cuba
Mr. Spooner-"If l were. as the senator
says he is inclined to doubt for one mo-
ment that the United States government
will seasonably withdraw from Cuba |
should be ashamed of the government and
ashamed of its action.
Mr. Hale-.That assurance from the SEN
ator more than reDays ME for all that
have said. 1 shall count upon him In the
future"
Little Less Than an Insult.
Mr. Spooner-"To say that the senator
will count upon me in the future is little
less than an insult. This is a government
of honor, and it is people of honor. When
the senator expresses a fear that the peo-
pies desire to keep the pledge of this gov
eminent will be allowed to slumber by the
voice of commercialism he degrades the
people and underestimate. in my judgment.
their integrity. What have We done for
Cuba? When since the morning stars first
sang together in the heavens has any people
done for another people what we have done
for Cuba? AS rapidly as may be in absolute
good faith, not being hurried by dema-
gogy in violation of national honor. by in
situation and venal politics in a presidential
election, this administration is going for
ward to redeem to Its utmost the pledge to
Cuba We have given the best government
had. Every mans life is safe in Cuba
every woman's honor is safe in Cuba
Death and tyranny and starvation have
gone forever out of Cuba. OF course. there
has been peculation in Cuba. Every one is
ashamed of it. But in no government ever
instituted has that not occurred? But 1t
never will turn out that any man in any
country can point to the Teller resolution
and say with truth that was legislative
lie."
Mr. Hale-'I hope So"
Mr., Spooner>'The senator need not hope
SO. He had better know So"
Tillman's Hatred of Carpet Baegers.
In reply to Mr. Spooners defense Of this
governments action in Cuba, Mr.. Tillman
Is. c. declared that our agents on the
island were carpet baggers, and the sooner
fbav oot ont ba haitian