Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-06-06
opcAN BELIEVES NO RELIEF CAN
RE GIVEN BY AMERICA.
o..usaI to Recognize the Recon-
mendatiOns of Congress Is "A
bad Precedent.

WAS asked today concerning the proba-
,u.v of securing action on the Cuban
,.soulion before adjournment. lie 9a4u.
congress VIA proDapW dispense before
.nv further action Is possible. The dis
roci+ion of the majority Of the senate
committee is to devolve upon the presl-
dent responsibility that he is evidently
eager to assume. Congress has practl-
caly ceased to be factor i'll the gov
eminent. except in the case of a veto,
when the constitution permits it TO act
finally by a tWo-thirds vote. Even this
function is denied when it is applied to
our foreign political relations.
For a government with coordinate
departments, in which we boast, we are
making a strange and rapid movement
toward re-establishing a royal prerogd-
tive in the hands Of our executive as one
comfortable power. If any British con-
sttutional power was destroyed in Amer
lea by the revolution OF 177G it was the
prerogative of the crown. If the crown,
acting alone, can substitute the entire
laws of war for the laws Of peace which
now govern our relations with Canada,
and if he can make this total revolution
of our legal status as citizens and as
nation binding upon US by his procld-
nation, it is in vain that we abolished
the prerogative III our federal constitu-
ton. If the president, without the con-
currence of congress, should proclaim
that war existed in Cuba ana the United
States assumes the relation of a neutral
N.11; -,
under the laws OF nations he would
usurp power of the most dangerous
character. In the moment of their en-
thusiasm for a decree that would be
so just and so humane, the people would
forgive the usurpation, but the shock 1t
would give to our free government would
lead in time to great disaster. In the
present state of political agitation in the
country, it is dangerously apparent that
a declaration of war with SPAN or
declaration of the existence of a state Of
war in Cuba, made on the sole authority
OF the president, would create a fever of
excitement that would remove all other
questions now under discussion from the
minds of the people and would control
the presidential election near at hand.
/ am convinced that the president viii
NOT venture on so dangerous u course
"hen congress disperses, leaving our re-
lducns to this subject III their present
equlYocal situation
War exists in Cuba ana the whole
world knows it, and while Spain admits
us existence in every act, but denies t
Oh paper and in a diplomatic way, our
government and people are required 70
"nuorse this falsehood and to admit that
peace prevails in the island. They pun
." our people for treason, instruction
anu piracy with the death penalty be-
~""se they are charged with disturbing
'ne peace and breaking laws that are in
''"ued 10 preserve peace in Cuba, while
peace does not exist.
After the almost unanimous declara-
"oH oy both houses Of congress that bel
Gs rights should be accorded TO
=, ."O" we dispense without giving relief
~ our people from this situation we can
:, "u no excuse for abandoning them TO
,,Ioit tate except that we are ready to
'u'cdte our power in favor of the sup
rU'eu power or wishes OF sne president.
presidents powers are not increased
our refusal to exercise powers that
,o71', ony belong to congress alone or
,r.y 10 both departments of the gov
or more than seven weeks the pres
49,, 80 mas known the will of congress,
40 ~ expresses constitutionally the will
,,a, people. If that declaration is not
ieht TO give our people security
az .d spanish violation of our treaties
.noot. 'press the president with it's sol
ustioS we should not, and can not, in
go 70 ourselves, omit to present the
lant Iacts and convictions to the presi-
,on n' IN definite form of action that he
go Hot refuse to consider.
mn SPAN fully understands the cause Of
ndiaa sehtment and the justice of the
,noaon a'ioh OF our people, and boasts in
lent ~ from the throne that the presi-
NOT IN sympathy with congress