Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10


Senator Bacon's' Dissatisfaction.
In discussing Cuban affairs Senator Bacon
said that he had not been satisfied with the
part Congress has been playing in shaping
the governments policy in. that republic.
He expressed the opinion that it was for
the law-making and not the executive de-
partment to say what the course of the
United States should be in Cuba. but that
he had felt delicacy in raising the issue.
He said he could not let the session of Con-
gress close without saying that he was not
unmindful of the fact that Congress was
not exercising the role 1t should exercise.
He thought it would have been a fatal error
| for the session to end without some express
sion raising the question Of the executives
power to set up governments on foreign
soil. to dismiss parliaments or to set up
parliaments, to dismiss raise foreign ar
miles. and he maintained further that any
acts of this character should be performed
by Congress and not by the President. He
added that under the present conditions he
should not pursue the subject.
Senator Tillman said that as 1t seemed
that the chairman of the committee on mil
itary affairs was not In the confidence Of
the War Department concerning the Cuban
occupation, he wanted to address a ques-
ton to the chairman of the committee on
foreign relations.
Has the chairman Of that committee any
information as to when we are going to get
out of Cuba?" he asked
Chairman Cullom UNIFORMED.
None whatever replied Mr. Cullom.
Can the chairman give US any informa-
ton concerning the present status of our
affairs in Cuba?" pursued Mr.. Tillman, and
Mr.. Cullom replied that he could give
none whatever"
ut seems little odd that the committee
on foreign relations does not take steps to
get information of the anomalous condition
of affairs there" said Mr.. Tillman. He
then gave a description of the situation
| there as he understood 1t from published
| can. having a stallion stolen by a negro
| patriot or rebel, and Of an act of Secre-
tary Taft confirming the title of the ami
NAL to the negro. He said the owner Of
the horse could the negro riding it
every day, but could not recover it.
Now since Secretary Taft ran Palma
government up tree and licensed horse
stealing. and has army engineers survey
| ing the islands. it seems that we might
have little information about what is 60
ing on" persisted Mr.. Tillman. 1T seems
little odd that Congress, The Senate or
nobody sees fit to inquire into the extra
ordinary transactions that are being car
ried on
Senator Cullom replied that at the be-
ginning of the session President Roosevelt
had sent to Congress a message telling
just what the conditions were in Cuba. and
expressed the opinion that probably there
has been little change. Il am sorry that
things do not seem to have Quieted down
In any way" he said.
Il have seen nothing about any recent
outbreaks. or any bloodshed, or anything"
said CIR. Tillman. What 1 want to know
Is when an election is going to be held
and when We are going to get out p"
well. 1 guess the senator will find out
I'M due time. said Senator Cullom.
Tillman Raises a Laugh.
Eyes. when the noble lord at the White
70 fa1I
else may tell me instead that it is none
of my business" replied Mr.. TIllman. He
laughingly added: We'll, If 1 can't get
any information as to why the niger stole
the horse, l suppose l will have to SUBJ
side"
He Joined in general laugh from the
republicans at his expense. The discussion
then proceeded on other lines
The Senate returned to the consideration
OF the transportation amendment.
Senator Clapp suggested that the amend
ment should be so framed as to give the
government the benefit of a reduction IN
rates. He said that as the provision now
stands 1t would AFFORD favors to certain
wedge for the breaking down of the rail-
road rate bill of last session
On the other hand, Mr.. McCumber an
nounced his opposition to any concessions
to the government and said that he should
antagonize the amendment in any form
Mr.. Spooner commended that concession
TO the government would not be discrimi-
nation. because all the people are interested
In the government and all would be bene-
fitted by any economy that might be prac-
ticed by the administration This position
was characterized by Mr.. McCumber as
'paternalism.'
Poor Pay Of Officers.
Senator Warren made plea for the right
of army officers to accept passes, calling
attention to Gen. Funston's declaration
that they now getting less than hod
carriers in San Francisco, and this plea
ELECTED from Mar. McCumber a sarcastic
reply in which he said that his heart also
bled for the poor military men who drive
to the railroad stations In their carriages"
and he contrasted their condition with that
OF the ordinary man to their great advan-
tage.
Mr.. Scott suggested the hardship &C.
casioned when the officer was ordered from
one army post to another, in which case he
had to bear the expense of transportation
for his family and household goods.
Mr.. McCumber replied that this was a
hardship placed upon government employees
difference between the salaries OF the Of
ficers of the higher and lower grades The
compensation of the latter he regarded as
inadequate. 1t was the greatest privilege
that could come to young man In this
country. he said. to be educated by the
government, assured of a commission in
the army and then Of retired pay. What
he wanted to emphasize was that the blood
OF such young men did not turn from red
to blue when they became army officers
Mr.. Warren pictured the hardship of the