The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-06-08
GROVER NOT GOD
At Least That Is Apparently the
Opinion Of Senator
Morgan.
The Presidents ActiCn on the
Cuban Question Severely
Criticized.
Every Day Of Delay in Demand
ing American Prisoners q
Day of DishOnOr.

Mitchell (Rcp., Or and MIR. Nelson
rep, Mimi providing that the new
company shall be liable on the land
warrantiesef the old company, and also
for injuries to persons and property.
Mr.. Morgan Dem, Ala asked for
action on his resolution requesting the
president for information as to the cap
ture of the Competitor by a Spanish war
ship, and the condemnation to death of
United States citizens; whether any
demand has been made for the release
of The United States citizens.
The senator said that while the case
was one of great gravity, involving the
unwarranted condemnation to death OF
American citizens, yet no information
was available except through press re-
ports and rumors. The executive branch
had not given the slightest information
on the subject, Mr.. Morgan read the
statutes requiring the president to make
n demand forthe release of an American
citizen.
Duty to Keep Congress Advised.
He argued that it was the duty of the
president under the constitution to keep
congress advised on the state Of the
union, and particularly on foreign af-
fairs. Of late a courteous custom had
arisen to adopt resolutions making re-
quests on the president for information,
but this did not relieve the president
from the duty of giving full informa-
ton. And it wa only of late days,
Mr.. Morgan said, that this failure of
the executive to give information to
congress had grown up.
When some question was raised By
Mr.. Sherman as to the propriety of the
matter being discussed before coming
before the committee on foreign rela-
tions, the senator sharply rejoined that
there should be be no concealment and
hiding of facts from the country.
President Not the Sole Judge.
Mr.. Morgan said that the testimony
of Lawrence, who was present at the
Competitor trials at Havana, showed
the grossly irregular character of the
proceedings.
"And yet" declared the senator, 1.-The
president pays nc more attention to the
subject than though it had been the
slaughter of some poor negro or mulatto
i'll the Cuban army"
Mr.. Morgan said he did not want con-
gress to stand committed to the practice
of leaving to the president the sole au-
thority to demand or withhold a de-
mand for the release of the American
citizens, or to recognize or withhold
recognition of belligerency.
Mr.. Mills reminded Mr.. Morgan that
the Lawrence testimony had shown
that the Americans ON trial at Havana
had not understood anything of the
proceedings, which were conducted in
Spanish.
Yes" Mr.. Morgan continued, 1.-The
testimony of Mr.. Lawrence shows that
the entire trial was in the Spanish Ian
guage. When the American prisoner
was told to stand up he said: I do not
understand what You have beer saying.
How am l to answer your A brief ex-
PLANTATION was made. Then the sentence
of death was passed on that American
citizen"
Occasional Groaus and Shrieks.
The senator said occasional groans
and shrieks were heard from the strick-
en- country, telling US of the terrible
hutchery going on there. But so far as
authentic and official information was
concerned. it was withheld. He had re-
ceived several letters from Cuba, some
with the seals broken, detailing the
conditions prevailing. Before congress
adjourned, it should know from the
president what the situation was, and
whether these American citizens are to
meet death without a demand. MI.
Morgan said he had great respect for the
office of president it was an American
characteristic to be proud of their gov.
eminent. But this was a government
Of law, not of private will. The presi.
dent is enjoined to execute the laws he
swears in his official oath to obey the
law. The senate had requested infor-
nation Of the president, and he had re-
piled that it was incompatible with the
public interest, although section 2OOl of
the statutes provided when a demand
was made for the release of an Ameri-
can, that all the facts relative thereto,
as soon as practicable, be communicated
by the president to congress-"
Every Day u Day of Dishonor.
The senator declared that every day
of the confinement Of the American
prisoners at Havana was a day of
American dishonor.
He did not know what would come OF
the delay and inaction. Possibly in the
end, the Americans would be SO hum.
bled as to sue to Spain for pardon. Blu,
congress, which was the sole wa,
power, should not leave without author
izing that power to be used if necessary
lin the event that these American
prisoners are not released and delivered
to the president" concluded MIR. Nor
gan, 1--WE should authorize him to SEM
ships Of war to Cuba and make wa,
sufficient TO secure their release"
As Mr. Morgan closed, Mr.. Sherma,
rose quickly and stated that the pro
ceedinss were ef such q character a. {.