The National tribune., 1900-04-26
THE NATIONAL TRBUNE WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY g.

the, conclusion Of the debate the Senate,
without a dissenting voice. passed reSolu-
tioLs designed to'proba the matter.
Secretary Root does not deny this con-
dition. He authorized a brief statement
in confirmation. coupled with an eXplana-
ton that the amounts allowed to the army
officers were necessary TO provide them with
living expenses! The practice began,
Secretary Root was very emphatic i'll stat
ing. under his predecessor, Gen. Alger,
and was authorized in an opinion rendered
by the Attornev-General. According to
MIR. Root, only four officers We're the bene-
ficiarieS of theH Cuban funds, viz, the
Governor-GeneraIo of the island, the Military
Governor of the city of Havana, the Col
lector of the port of Havana, and the Treas
urer of the island.
Two sets of resolutions of inquiry were
adopted, which We're introduced on Friday
by Senator Bacon. The first asks for
information as to receipt by any officer OF
the army of ANY compensation for any
service of any kind whatsoever, other than
the compensation to which such officer OF
the army Is, as such, entitled by law to
receive as his salary and allowances; and
II any officer has, during said period, While
on duty IN either Cuba or Porto Rlco, re-
celved from any source any compensation
other than that which he is, as such officer,
entitled by law to receive as his salary and
allowances, what is the name and rank OF
each such officer. and what the amount or
amounts, the dates, by whom authorized,
etc. The second resolutions asked
whether any officer has had furnished to
him by any person or authority any quar-
tiers other than such quarters as such officer
Is entitled under the law to receive. II
so, what is the name and rank of each
officer so furnished with such quarters,
and what quarters in each such instance
have been so furnished, the rent paid,
amounts expended for repairs or improve
ments, amounts expended for hor5 es or
vehicles" etc
Two Republicans. Senators Carter and
Platt of Connecticut, attempted to defend
the Administration. The former asserted
that the allowance" was not III the nature
OF additional salary. and was necessary
because the army officers could not 1--we on
the amounts paid them by the Government,
owing to the demands of their official
station. Mr.. Platt took the radical ground
that the President had the power anC the
right to do as he pleased. and that there
was no remedy i'll Congress, view which
Senator Daniel characterized as the doc
trine OF abSoutlSm in the Presidency OF the
United States" The Democrats condemn
ed the action of the Administration as
illegal and unWarranted. Senator Bacon,
among other things, stated that the army
officers now in Cuba had already had Their
rank and pay raised in order 10 meet the
new conditions, but that this did not seem
In the House the Naval bill was passed,
In the Senate on Monday, April %,
Senator Chandler, Chairman Of the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections, sub
mitted the report in the case OF Senator
Clark, OF Montana. Later the resolution
relating to the seating Of NJ $. Quay rs a
Senator from Pennsylvania was called up,
and Mr.. Chandler addressed the Senate in
support Of Mr.. Quay's right 10 a scat
under the Governors appointment. He
urged Senators to consider the question
merely as one Of Constitutional construc-
tion. -""
In an extended reply to Senator Chan
der, Senator Platt Of Connecticut main
tanned, on purely Constitutional grounds,
that Senator Quay was not entitled to a
seat in the Senate.
At the opening Of the session Of the
House, upon the request Of Mr.. Hepburn
uowa), Chairman OF the Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee, unanimous
consent was given to set aside May ! and
for the consideration OF the Nicaragua
Canal bill. Mr.. Hepburn said that one
day would be given for general debate and
one for amendment under the fiYe-minute
rule.
The Postoffce appropriation bill was
then taken up.