The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-09
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
 OVER POSTAL FRAUDS
Continued from First Paoe)


 Lodge said he wished to say that both those officials had pressed the inquiry with zeal and with all the machinery in their power.
 The discussion was participated in by MT. Nelson. Mir Tillman, MT. Hoar and MT. Bailey.
 Might Help the Accued.
 MT. Nelson said that the great danger of a senate investigation would be found in the fact that the publicity that would be given to the findings would aid the accused officials in their defense. In this connection, he referred to the course of the postal prosecutions in Cuba which brought out a discussion as to the re- sponsibility for the liberation Of the or ficials who were found guilty of fraud in Cuba.
 While this diversion was In progress MT. Tillman took occasion to remark that fin view of the aggressions from the other end of the capitol, and the other end of the avenue, senators were in dan ger of becoming 'me-too's' " brought out a remonstrance from MT. Hoar in "heated expressions" on the part of men who might be called on to sit as judges in the case The investigation resolution then was laid aside and the Cuban reciprocity bill was taken up.
 
 of the opposition to the bill first taking up the question of the constitutionality of the method of execution undertaken by [ the measure. He spoke of the possibility of executive encroachment, saying that If the senate was to be shorn of it's pow CT, too, it would not be by the house of representatives, nor by any legal instru- ment but in obedience to the demands of the executive for a cowardly abdication
 MT Teller said it was not true that the bill would reduce the price of sugar He declared that the sugar trust would secure the benefit of the bill, although it is said 1t was intended to aid Cuba. The powers behind this bill were the owners of S0,000,000 acres of sugar land in Cuba, owned by American citizens; besides the hundreds of millions of dollars of the sugar trust.
 Sentiment Manufactured.
 The public sentiment in favor of this bill had been manufactured in Cuba and the American people were made to be- lieve that unless relief of this kind, was granted, there would be riots and starva- tion in Cuba. The manufacturing of this sentiment, he charged, was inaugurated by Gen. Wood, who might, he said. be the author of the proposed legislation, backed by the executive. with an energy he had never before seen displayed He Sdiu penerdl NOou two years ago nad sent circulars to senators urging the pas- sage of the then pending Cuban bill an act that would have resulted in the cash iering of any other officers. General Wood had sent out circulars he said early in September, 1901, to Alcaldes and other municipal officers in Cuba urging them to prepare demands on the United States for a reduction of the duty on sugar and tobacco.
 The senator read circulars, some signed by Adjutant General Scott, in the name of the military governor. in which this course was advised. He said these publi- possible, but he had obtained a copy. He did not pretend to say General Wood was responsible for all subsequent mis- representations, but he did contend that these misrepresentations were bought and paid for partly by the Cuban govern ment. MT. Teller said that sugar stock had advanced or declined with the for tunes of the bill, and added that 1t was in evidence that MT. Havemeyer, of the American Sugar Refining company had interested himself financially as had the Cuban government, in the circulation of stories of Cuban distress.
 MT. Teller did not conclude his remarks
 Mir. Clapp of Minnesota made a speech contending that the senate should not subject treaties to the approval of the house, as had been done with this bill
 At o'clock, the senate went into ex- ecutive session, and five minutes later adjourned.