The Opelousas courier., 1896-12-26
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, December 81, 1896

ASHINGTON, December II, 1886.
Talking war and voting for what
wonld bring actual war are two very
different things. The leading Republi
cans furnished their share of the war
talk which preceded the election in the
halls of Congress. but now that the cleo
ton is over and Republican president
is on the eve of being inaugurated, some
OF these Republicans have changed their
tune. This has been especially notice
able since the Senate committee OH for
eign relations took the bull by the horns
and reported short resolution deciar-
ing the Independence of Cuba, and that
the United States would use lis good
offices to bring about peace between the
Spaniards and Cuba, notwithstanding
protest from Secretary OlneY, who ap-
peared before the committee and argued
for ii continuance of the policy of nom
action. The Republicans have not made
any party announcement on this resOlu
tion and probably will not until the
public discussions during the Congress
s.oEal holiday recess shall have shown
Enthusiastically whether it would be wise
for them to make the defeato the res
0lutlon party question. Mckinley
doesn't want the resolution adopted ,and
his closest friends in Congress are
scheming to get upa plan undei which
it may be hung up without vote.
Speaker Reed declines to publicly ,om-
nit himself, but he is believed IL be
against it, That the resolution, il put
into force, would result in war with
Spain is believed by all, but it is il long
ways from being in force. and your cor
respondent would not like to put up a
cent on its ever being in force. In the
first place. it would have to get two
thirds vote in both branches of Con-
gress in oider to be adopted over Pres
ldent Cleveland's veto, which it would
certainly meet upon its first adoption.
Mckinley's wishes may not affect the
Senate. bnt they will have much weight
in the House. The fate of the ,esoIu-.
tioD depends largely upon the state of
public opinion when Congress rc-as-
sembies, and that may he affected one
way or the other by news from Cuba
during the next two weeks.
The remarkable position assumed to-
ward the Cuban resolution by Secretary
Olhey is causing much talk among the
constitutional lawyers In and cut of
Congress. He says that the President
alone is vested by the constitution with
authority to recognize new State and
that Mr.. Cleveland will not obey the
resolution even it it should receive the
unanimous vote of both branches of
Congress, but will regard it simply as
all expression OF Congressional opinion.
Most of those who will talk express the
olinioE that Mr.. Oluey is wrong.
tSenator Vest declares tie report ridic-
uaous that he had the nomination of
SpcIetary Francis held up to help him
- get re-electf 10 the Senate, and
calls attention3o the fact that there is
neither ii PaBner nor ii Mckinley Dem
ocrai iii thelMissouri Legislature. AS
to why thi.Ezand other gold Democratic
noss---.-=->@i,ons have been held up, Mr.
Vest said: "The nomination of Francis
was postponed for consideration until
after the recess as were the nominations
Of all the Palmer or mckinley Demo
Gratis" There Was ii look in the eyes of
the Senator when he spoke which bodies
no good for these held up nominations.
Charlie Crisp, sou ot tho late ex-
Speaker of the House, was sworn in as
a member on Saturday. He is the young
est member of the House.