Evening star., 1896-12-21
Mr.. .OLNEYSPOSITION
Senators and Representatives Discuss
His Statement.
his ASSUMPTION OF POWER
May Be Sensational Developments
in the Matter.
EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION

EAIRESSlONS OF OPINION
There seems to be little prospect that the
Cuban resolutions will be adopted by the
two houses of Congress. IL is evident
however. that there is going to be bitter
fight over the matter. The declaration of
Secretary Olney that the President would
not De bound by the action of Congress ha.
excited great indignation in both houses,
and in measure changed the issue from
that involving the independence of Cuba
TO one of the question of authority between
the President and Congress. Many who
are not disposed to favor the Cameron res
olution are so indignant In their resentment
OF Mr. Olney's statement that they are in
clined to go TO most any extreme in vim
dlcation OF the authority Of Congress The
leaders who oppose the Cuban resolutions
are generally offended at Mr. Olney's
course, on the ground that il will strength
en- the resolutions. Their criticism is that
MI Olney should have known that there
Vas not the most remote possibility OF the
resolutions being adopted, and that there
fore, ne should not have raised the oues-
ton OF authority to embarrass :he situa-
ton.
Mr.. Olney's Only Excuse.
1t is said that he fully understood that
this declaration on his part was not render
ed necessary by any situation existing in
congress, and the only excuse found for IL
is that there was something in the relations
between the State Department and Spain
"hlch demanded this public assurance as
TO the friendly attitude Of the atiministra-
uon toward Spain.
The fact is believed to be that as was in
dlcated by information before the meeting
OF Congress, Spain has been assured hv ,he
Uf
OF time this government win not Interfere
IN the Cuban matter, and that after the
expiration OF that time some settlement
must be had. The action of The Senate
committee threatened the king of This
understanding, and the inference is that n
was on account of this that Mr. Olpey felt
eom.peiled . 10 reassure Spain. His state
ment intensified rather than relieved. the
feeling in Congress.
Will Fflfbuster i'm the senate.
The opponents to the Cameron resolu.
uons in the Senate do not intend thai they
snail pass them. They openly threaten a
fiouster that will consume the entire ses-
slon- The fact that there is to be an extra
session of Congress anyhow relieves the de-
1eat OF appropriation bills at this session of
niuch OF the gravity of responsibility IL
tIes all went over until the extra session
they might then be passed in time TO go
INTO operation by the Both of June This
SITUATION makes the opponents of Cuban
independence adopt a course of filibuster
IN additon TO this the practical certainty
,hat the House will not act may have a
tendency to weaken the efforts i'm behalf of
the resolutions in the Senate when II is
found that the filibuster is in earnest
sensational Developments Expected.
The situation is liable, however. to. develop
sensational features. for If il is found TO he
true that Mr.. Olney has actually by direct
communication assured Spain that the res
oIutfons of Congress would not be obeyed
III adopted. a determined effort would be
made to impeach him.
Will Not Pass the House.
General Draper of Massachusetts who In
the absence of Mr.. Hit is acting chairman
OF the foreign affairs committee of the
House, and is also one of the subcommittee
Of three charged with the special consid-
GRAFTON of the Cuban problem. said this
morning:
In my Judgment no sucn resolution as
Mr. Cameron's will get through une House
committee in this Congress. The sub
committee, consisting of Mr. Adams of
pennsylvania. Mr.. Tucker of Virginia and
myself, are all opposed to ill-considered ac-
tlCn, such as this would be, ard | think
the committee as whole feels the same
way with substantial unanirnity. There
has been great change of feeling On this
question, not only in committee, but in
the entire House. since the last Congress,
the conservative body"
Duty of the Executive.
Representative Baker of New Hamp-
shire locked at the olney letter and the
Cuban situation in this light My opinion
is that it is the duty of the chief execu-
tive TO obey all statutes and resolutions of
Congress whenever they become law either
by his approval when they are passed
over his veto; and any failure 10 carry cut
the will of Congress thus expressed would
rerder the President or any of his 5ecre-
taries liable 10 impeac hment; and il might
become the duty of Congress in defense of
free government to take action in
that regard, Irrespective ofany views
held on the Cuban question. Per-
sonally, l believe this government
should, so far possible extend to the
patriots fighting for free government I'm
Cuba our aid, without committing breach
of international law. 1 voted for the iecog-
milton of belligerency and would do SO
again. because L do not believe such
recognition can be considered a breach
of our international duty. 1 should be will
ing to vote for a recognition OF independ-
ence. The Cubans are suffering from taxa
ton without representation and other
wrongs vastly IN. excess OF those which
led our foretathers to declare and main5ain
their Independence"
Representative Hill of Connecticut: Il
haven't given the letter of Secretary Olney
full consideration, but 1 am in favor OF
DONG LAWFUL nOnordple
Cuba. although / am not in favor of war.
Mr. Olney's Position.
Representative Henry of Connecticut: Il
am not a lawyer, but 1t was great sur
prise to me to see the claim made that the
President would refuse to comply with
two-thirds vote of Congress overriding
Veto The controversy practically ends the
Cuban question in this House. Mr.. Olney's
position is an assumption never made be-
fore"
Representative Gillet of Massachusetts
said: Secretary Olney's view gives the
more power than l should be
willing to credit him with without more in
vestigation on the subject, but IL seems 10
me that Congress ought TO have a right 10
interpose I'm so delicate a matter. / am not,
however. in favor of the recognition of the
Cubans at present.
Representative Walker of Massachusetts,:
The President has large powers in foreign
and he ought TO have. There are b.
many things In diplomatic matters which
cannot be given the public. and which the
President only understands fully. The
President should have full power in all
these matters, except an actual declaration
Of war. which rests with Congress alone"
Not I'm a Condition for War.