The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-05
WANTS ALL DOCUMENTS
Members of the Cabinet Should Not
Withhold Information.
Mr.. bacon Speaks to His Resolution
In the senate and Contend. That
Congress should Have Pnpers On
File in the Executive Departments
When Called for by Resolution.

Mr.. Bacon yesterday addressed the SEN
ate at length on his resolution as to the
right of the Senate to examine all docu
ments on file in the executive departments
of the Government. He held that the
members of the Cabinet had banded to-
gether with the President to refuse to
forward papers requested by Senate reso-
iutions. and had thus challenged the Sen
ate to compel them to forward any docu-
mentS that might be demanded.
MI Bacon said that the question was
one OF the most important before the
Senate. He stated that the Senate. and
not the Departments, could determine
whether or not information ought to be
had when needed. The Departments had
denied this, he claimed. and had chal-
lenged the Senate to get the Information.
ne cited many cases wherein the War
and State Departments had refused to
grant Information demanded by resolu-
tion.
lie said that the cause OF and justifica-
tlon for 1t was the fact that in response
to resolution of the Senate calling on the
secretary OF War for the report of Abra-
nam L.. Lawshe. with the result of his
investigation into the receipts and expen-
dtures of Cuban funds, the President of
the United States had informed the Sen
ate that FOR reasons stated In a communi-
cation from the Secretary OF War. it was
not deemed compatible with the public in
terest to transmit such report to the Sen
ate.
Does the Senator contend" Mr.
Spooner asked. that the communication
from the President constitutes a challenge
to the Senate?"
do most emphaticalIy." Mr.. Bacon
replied. 1t constitutes such a challenge as
requires an answer from the Senate But
1t is very much enlarged In gravity by the
fact that newspaper publications indi-
cate 1t as not only the action Of the Presl-
dent. but the action of the Cabinet. and
that We are now confronted with the fact
that there Is general and organized pur-
pose OF the Cabinet. as avowed. to deny
to the Senate the right to information to
be found on the files Of the departments,
unless where the chief OF the department
may. as a matter OF grace, and in his dis
cretion. permit the Senate to have such
information
In support Of my views on this ques-
tion / am buttressed by views heretofore
expressed by Republican Senator's. some Of
whom are still members of the Senate
therefore expect the support of those par
ticular Senators and OF all the Republican
Senators who can well afford, on a dues-
tion OF Congressional rights, to follow Il .
lead OF those distinguished and honorable
men,"
At o'clock when the morning hour ex-
pired the Ship Subsidy bill was laid be-
fore the Senate as the unfinished business.
but at the request of Mr. Teller it was
laid aside temporarily and Mr. Bacon
concluded his speech
At the close of Mr.. Bacons speech. at
5:l5, his resolution went over without ac-
tion and now lies on the table.
The Ship Subsidy bill was laid asiLe in
formally at the request of Mr. Allison
and the District of Columbia Appropria-
tion bill was taken up.
The bill as passed by the House appro-
priated T,7i1 ,664: the amendments re-
ported by the Senate Committee on Ap-
preparations increase the amount to
sS747 1853. being sl,169. $50 more than the
appropriations for the current fiscal year
The largest items of increase are s400. coo
for sewage disposal system. s120. 900 for
low area trunk sewer $50, 500 for county
roads, and $50. 900 for bridge across Rock
Creek on Connecticut Avenue
AT the conclusion OF the reading of the
bill the Senate adjourned until II a. m
today.