Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-12-26
OLNEY TAKES ISSUE.
Denies Authority of Congress to
Recognize New Nation.
Intimates That the Presidcnt win Ignore
Action of That Body II tho Cuban
Resolution Is Adopted-Feel-
ing In Spain.

direct and formidable issue between the
executive and Legislative branches of
the government. This is clearly indi-'
Gated by an interview given out by Sec,
retary Olney. Secretary 0lney being
asked his opinion as to the nature and;
effect of the proposed resolution recog-
nizing the independence of the republic
of Cuba said:
II have no objection to stating my own
view or the resolution respecting the in
dependence of the so-called republic of
Cuba which, II is reported, is to be laid
before the senate on Monday. Indeed, as
there are likely to be serious misapprehen-
sions regarding such resolution both In
this country and abroad and as such
apprehensions may have injurious results
of a grave character, 1t is perhaps my duty
to point out that the resolution, II p ssed
by the senate, can probably be regarded
only as an expression of opinion by the
eminent gentlemen who vote for 1t in the
senate, and If passed by the house of rep
resentatives, can only be regarded as an
other expression of opinion by the eminent
gentlemen who vote for IL in the house.
The power to recognize the So-called re-
public of Cuba as an independent state
rests exclusively with the executive. A
resolution on the subject by the senate
or by the house. or by both bodies, or
by one, whether concurrent or joint. Is
imperative as legislation and is important
only as advice of great weight voluntarily
rendered to the executive regarding the
manner in which he shall exercise his
constitutional functions.
"The operation and effect of the proposed
resolution, therefore, even II passed by
both houses of congress by Il two-th!rdS
vote, are perfectly plain. 1t may raise
expectations in some quarters which can
never be realized. 1t may inflame 2opu-
lar passions both in this country and
elsewhere, may thus put in peril the lives
and property of American citizens who are
resident and travelling abroad. and will
certainly obstruct and perhaps defeat the
best efforts of this government to afford
such citizens due protection. But, except
in these ways and unless the advice en-
bodied in the resolution shall lead the
executive to revise conclusions already
reached and officially declared, the reso-
luton will be without effect and will leave
unaltered the attitude of this government
towards the two contending parties In
Cuba"
or course, Secretary Olney's state
ment indicates clearly that If the joint
resolution ever passes both branches OF
congress and is sent to the president
the latter will veto it, not only on the
ground of impolicy, but also because il
constitutes an infringement of his own
prerogatives. Moreover, the secretary
in his interview goes beyond this point,
and in almost as many words says that
NO attention will be paid to the will OF
congress in this matter, even if the
resolution is pissed over the presidents
veto. In this case grave conflict of
powers of two branches of the govern
ment might be expected to follow,
though just how the issue may be made
up so that it can be reached by the SUI
preme court, the arbiter OF all ques-
tions of constitutionality, is not clear at
present.
Secretary Olney's statement was re-
ceived in the house of representatives
without any manifestation of surprise.
A careful canvass of the house disclosed
the fact that II good many members
have no clear conception of the relative
powers of the president and congress
and were unwilling to discuss hastily
that phase of the interview. The house
is plainly not in belligerent mood.
What it would do if the senate resolu-
ticn came squarely before II can only
be conjectured. 1t is reasonably clear
that the house at present has little in
terest in the Cuban question and that
sentiment respecting the insurgents
has radically changed since the last ses-
sion. There is more than reasonable
doubt whether the foreign affairs COM
mittee would report the resolution fa-
vorably. The administration men in
the house do not propose to so contrary
to the presidents views while the re-
publican leaders are ill-disposed to adopt
any course which might be distasteful
to the president-elect.
Madrid, Dec. 21.-The explicit an
nouncement is made that Senor Dupuy
de LONE, the Spanish minister at Wash.
ington, has telegraphed to his home
government here that he had con
ference with Mr.. Olney, the secretary
| OF state, in the course of which the lat
ter assured him that Spain might rest
| tranquil until March, at least, since
despite the attitude of congress, Presi
| dent Cleveland would not recognize the
| independence of Cuba.
Madrid, Dec. 2l.-The decision of tht
| United States senate committee on for
| eign relations to recommend the adop
| ton of the Cameron resolution recog
| q profound sensation in Madrid. The
newspapers here, e,without exception, de
clare that Spain will never peacefully
assent to Cuban independence, and thai
no government that consented to enter
tain in any shape or form such sugges
ton would live "a hours, as the feeling
of the Spanish people is unanimous ant
determined to maintain Spanish rul,
in the West Indies at any cost, even a
| the risk of war with America.
But the newspapers regard the po
sition of President Cleveland and Sec
retary of State Olney as correct ant
friendly toward Spain. They hop
President Cleveland will postpone a
long as possible the carrying out of th'
joint resolution of congress. evel
should it become law.
| Pension Building Chosen.
Washinpton Dec 21-The general in