The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-07

regarded by the administration as an
unlawful act. These were all matters
of controversy but there was one
thing which appeared to him to be
very plain, and that was the Congress
OF the United States had not been
treated in the open and fair way in
which the administration part of the
government Of the United States should
treat Congress. 1t was certain doubts
about the condition of affairs which
existed in Hawaii a year ago We're
IN the mind of the president when
Congress met in extraordinary session;
1t was certain a gentleman of high
standing, a former member of the
House, had been sent to Hawaii for
the purpose of acquiring information;
1t was also certain the administration
had formed a certain definite idea of
its duties, and it had been stated,
practically, it was the purpose of the
administra ton to restore the status
that existed before the revolution TO
put the queen in power again, and
Congress had not been informed of it.
The president of the United States and
the executive officers of the govern
ment might as well understand that
the people of the United States did
not like this That was the feature
OF the controversy which impressed
itself upon the minds of the plainest
people of the country. Whatever
might be the idea or the information
of the president, it ought to be con-
veyed TO the public at large-not only
TO Congress, but also to the people.
There was no reason in the world for
secrecy All the facts ought to be
communicated to Congress. Sherman
said all he desired to say on the pres
ent occasion was if it was the purpose
OF the president, by the use of military
force, TO restore the queen in Hawaii.
IL would be fatal act of public policy.
a great injustice to the people of the
United States, and almost an insult to
congress. Congress was q law-making
power The president had no right to
declare war, or to do an act of war, or
preclpltate the country into a contro-
versy of this kind. 1t seemed to him
tnat not only the information called
Tor by the resolution, but all the in
formation available should have been
communicated to Congress at its last
session Then Congress might have
acted and the public might have been
prepared for the present condition of
affairs If there had been less secrecy.
and more open-handed and fair deal
ing. there would have been less sus-
plcion and less trouble. If 1t should
happen in the pursuance of the author
ity of the executive, that American
troops were landed in Hawaii and
blood shed and a single life lost, it
would be by an unlawful act. What
ever view was taken of the action a
year ago, there would be no doubt
about the view that would be taken
by the people of the United States OF
any act now which involved violence
OF even an appearance of violence or
threats, or any act whatever done by
executive authority without the con-
sent or knowledge of Congress.
Gray agreed with Sherman there
was no objection to the adoption of
the resolution.
Frye spoke of the high character of
ex-Minister Stevens and declared the
readiness of himself and colleague
(Hale) to defend him against any at
tacks which might be made upon him.
Call closed the debate and then the
resolution was adopted without divi-
sion.
After a short executive session, the
Senate, at 4:05, adjourned till to-
morrow.