The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-22
CAMERON RESOLUTION REPORTED
AND LAID ON THE TABLE WITH
OUT ACTION.
INTENSE PUBLIC INTEREST
SHOWN BY THE CROWDS IN THE
PUBLIC AND DIPLOMATIC
GALLERIES.
MIR. VEST CUNNING FOR MIR. oLNEY.
Right of Congress to Recognize
Independence the Subject of
Resolution.

/ WASHINGTON, Dec. 21-The senate
was literally deluged for half an hour
today with reports, resolutions and
! spirited colloquieS on the Cuban Ques-
ton. The intense public interest in this
subject was shown by the presence of
the largest crowds seen since the open
ing day of the session. All available
! space in the public galleries was taken,
and the diplomatic gallery had such
! distinguished occupants as Sir Julian
| Pauncefote, the British ambassador;
| Mr.. Hatch, the Hawaiian minister, &C
companied by the suites and ladies of
the embassies and legations. The main
event of the day was the presentation
by Mr.. Cameron of the report of the
committee on foreign relations favor
able to his resolution recognizing the
independence Of Cuba This proceed
ing was brief and perfunctory, the re-
port not being read, and an agree
ment speedily reached by which the
resolution and report go over until after
the holidays. Aside from the Cameron
report, Mr. Morgan (Ala.) presented
further report on the same lines, en-
bodying the views of himself and MI.
Mills. The offering of the reports
served as a prelude to several brisk ex-
changes between senators. Mr.. Hill
On. Y) desired to know whether the
reports went into the constitutional
question of the legislative power of
recognition of independence. Mr. Cam
eron promptly answered that everybody
conceded this power, and Mr.. Morgan
pointedly added that a denial of such
power was "preposterous'
Mr.. Vest also came forward with
I some remarks which promised to give
a sharp personal turn to the debate.
He spoke Of his astonishment at seeing
Secretary Olneys public statement de-
claring that the executive alone had the
power to recognize independence. Mr.
vest had hardly begun when Mr. Hale
! (fep., Me.) made a point of order
against him, on the ground that de-
bate was out of order The Missouri
senator willingly yielded, announcing
that he would speak tomorrow on the
resolution he had offered, declaring
that recognition is joint power of the
| legislative and executive branches.
Several other Cuban resolutions were
| offered by Mr.. Hill and Mr. Chiffon.
declaring thatra state Of war existed
| in Cuba, Warranting the recognition Of
the belligerent rights of both parties,
and calling for the observance of strict
neutrality by the United States, and
| one by Mr.. Bacon declaring that the
power of recognizing independence is
a prerogative belonging exclusively to
the congress.
Mr.. Sherman, from the committee on
foreign relations, reported favorably
the resolutions of Mr.. Call asking for
| information relative to American citi-
| in
this was agreed to by the senate. Aside
from the Cuban subject, the session
was not eventfuI. Mr. Gear (Rep.,
Iowa. made an unsuccessful effort to
take up the Pacific railroads refunding
bill, and then gave notice it would be
urged after the holidays.
CAMERON RESOLUTION.
At 1920 p. m, while the routine
business was proceeding, Mr.. Cameron
arose and in a voice hardly audible
presented the report Of the committee
on foreign relations favorable to the
resolution for Cuban Independence Mr..
Sherman interposed to ask if it was
understood that the resolution was to
remain on the table until after the
holidays. Mr.. Cameron answered in
the affirmative.
Mr.. Hill Oern., N. ", who had been
seeking to secure recognition now ask
ed if either of the reports discussed the
constitutional power of congress to
pass the resolution as reported or
whether the reports were confined to
the propriety of passing the resolution.
Mr.. Cameron responded that the con-
stitutional power Of congress ought to
be conceded by everybody. From that
1 judge the constitutional power is
not discussed in the reports remark
ed Mr.. Hill.
point, some pointed remarks which
promised to open the whole Cuban
question. He prefaced them with a
resolution reciting that the power of
recognizing independence does not re-
side exclusively with the president
but is vested in congress, and the
president jointly. The resolution is as
follows:
Resolved, That the president is not in
vested by the constitution with exclusive
power to determine when the INDEPENDENCE. of
foreign people. struggling to establish a
government for themselves, shall be recog-
nized by the United States, but this power
is vested in congress and the president, to be
exercised in conformity with section Z, article
! l, of the constitution.
1T is to me most astonishing
proposition" said Mr.. Vest, that while
the constitution gives to congress the
exclusive War-naaking power the presi-
dent alone is able to take action to-
wards recognizing independence, which
may bring on war"
As Mr.. Vest was about to proceed.
Mr.. Hale Rep., Me.) interposed a
point Of order He did not think this
discussion could proceed under the
senate rules without unanimous con-
sent. Mr.. Stewart (Pop., New prompt
ly asked for unanimous consent that
Mr. Vest proceed with his remarks
But Mr.. Vest shook his head and re-
marked that he did not care to pro-
ceed with even one unwilling auditor.
Mr.. Hill again secured recognition
and offered Joint resolution declaring
that state of war exists in Cuba; that
the parties thereto are entitled to the
recognition of belligeTent rights and
that the United States will maintain
strict neutrality towards them. The
resolution is as fellows:
Resolved by the senate and house of rep
rasentatiyes of the United States of America
in congress assembled, that it is hereb by de-
CARED that a state of public war exists in
Cuba, and that the parties thereto are en-
titled tc and are hereby accorded b5 lligerent
rights in accordance with the PRINCIPLES of
internatioIaI law, and the United States will
preserve a strict neutrality between the bel
ligerents.
MORE OF CUBA.
Two more. Cuban resolutions made
their appearance. one from Mr.. Bacon
(Dem.. Ga.) and another from Mr.. Chill
TNaX De-