The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-17
CUBAN AFFAIRS IN SENATE.
TINE TAKEN UP WITH BACoN's
FRAUD RESOLUTION.
Georgia Senator Speaks in support
of Investigation of Island Admin
fstratfon-BiIi Passed TO Fa-
ciIitate the Constwise Trade.


WASHINGTON. May 1s.-Discussion Of
The administration OF affairs in Cuba by
agents of the United States, occupied the
attention Of the senate during the great
or part of today's session. Bacon adj
dressed the senate at length on his reso-
luton directing the committee on rela-
tons with Cuba to make an investiga-
ton OF the conduct OF financial Affairs Of
the island. He said IL was due the peo-
pie OF this country to know Just how az
fairs in the island were being conducted.
and. since the disclosures Of the past few
days had been made, with respect to the
alleged misrepresentation OF funds in the
postal service, the obligation upon con-
rress to make an Investigation was
doubly heavy. lie urged that the honor
OF the country depended upon its being
able 10 clear away the fraud or corrur.
ton, which I. was charged had teen dis
covered. He insisted that the govern
ment OF the United States had no author
fly in Cuba, and dema ndeh to know how
soon II proposed to redeem its pledge and
leave the government OF the island TO ,,s
Inhabitants.
The following measures were psssed.
House bill repeating the provision OF
law allowing merchandise pagsfng
through the United States from any for
eign country to be transported free CT
duty, so far as the Mexican free zone
Is concerned; also resolution offered by
Mr.. Lodge. calling upon the secretary
Of the treasury for information in re-
gard TO, the influx Of Japanese laborers
into the country and whether there had
been any violation OF the contract labor
law.
Bacon's Cuban Resolution.
The Bacon Cuban Investigation resolu-
ficn was then called up by its author.
who. In opening. said that there could be
no more mandatory duty than that which
rests upon the United States that every
dollar collected In Cuba should be applied
to the people OF Cuba.
Every dollar so collected he said. be-
longs to tho people of Cuba, and nor a
dollar TO the United States or TO any Of
fciai Of the United States.
Obligations OF national honor demand
that we investigate the affairs of Cuba
and see that they have been rightly con-
Quoted. Perhaps at no time has any
people constituted themselves the agent
Tor trust such as that we had impose
upon ourselves In cuba. In tho degree
OF honor with which this du.y was per-
Formed would the country be adjudged b.
the world. If there wsre TO rumors. lie
said. OF maladministration on the island
OF Cuba, the duty To Investigate the
business AMI governmental affairs Of the
island would be upon us
But" declared he. I'VE are urged nat
alone by the voice OF duty; the facts urge
the inv-s CATION to he made There has
oeen " 'uoa the most cxortitar- AMI
extravagant expediture of money
If" said the Georgia senator. I'VE
had before us only the naked fact that
the receipts of the island during the
single year were more than $4,000. 900
and the expenditures more than $4,000
900. we would be bound to investigate the
subject to see that this vast sum had
been properly and prudently handled"
Clark Case Postponed.
At this point. Chandler, chairman OF
The committee on privileges and elections.
called up the resolution declaring that
Mr.. Clark. OF Montana. was not entitled
10 a seat In the senate. and asked that
he postponed until Saturday next at
] O'clock. in order" said Chandler
that the committee on privileges and
elections may consider what action shall
BE- taken"
The request was agreed to.
Expenditures Tn Cuba.
Continuing. Bacon presented a state
ment showing the receipts and expendi-
lures OF the various states. including
Georgia. Missouri and Massac husetts
They were in every instance less than
those Of Cuba.
These expenditures In Cuba" said Ba-
con. ARE SO much larger In proportion
than those OF many states, that, even n
there were no rumors OF extravagance
and fraud and corruption IN connection
with Cuban affairs. they would call In
trumpet tones for an investigation. We
have had nil sorts of accusations in the
press OF the country and finally there
have been admissions of Irregularities IN
the financial affairs OF the island"
Bacon discussed nj length the allow
anees made to various officers I'm t'aha.
by direction OF Secretary Alger. He tn
CURED why such allowances were not
made TO General Wilson and General
Lee. He read the order of General Alger.
making an allowance OF s1.5oo per year.
IN addition 10 his salary. to Governor
General Brooke.
what Is there" Bacon inquired. Tin
the office of the governor general OF
Cuba, which requires him to exercise
faae,ionH Of greater dignity than gen
eral commanding an army In the heldf
What obligation was there on this gov
eminent to place him in position OF
vce-regal authority What obligation
was there on the government that any
one who claimed Co have an official dig
nifty In Cuba should be the guest OF this
man"
Bacon DECLARED that one Of the proml-
bent officials in cuba had used the Cuban
funds with which 20 purchase personal
apparel He further asserted That there
we're well founded rumors t1at there had
been the most cxtravagant expenditures
o. Cuban funds for dttipg up luxurious
CHARTERS Tor officers and furnishing these
e'hcVrs horses, carriages and uyeried sc.v-
arts
misappropristion Of Funds
SIN further" said he within the past
seek the fact has been disclosed a fact
taSt brings the blush OF shame 20 q"
Cheek ~ every American citizen. that
trusted officials In cuba have rnisappro-
rfsAtod larSe amounts belonging TO the
peope ~ Cuba Nobody knows how largo
these amounts arc Al first Il was stated
taai they we're saNeo Next a. was eaii
thsy would amount % sss.eo, and nov ~
4 minated the amounts may aggregate
Nsea A. FIRST enc man only was M
waived iH the difficulty Now there are
nlany-so many that 81 Is intimaied 10
mas amount to conspiracy"