The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-03-07
Form of the Cuban Resolution
Lets the President Down
Easy.
Would Be Disagreeable to Sign
the Resolution and Danger
Gus Not TO.
Some Remarks of a Spanish
Newspaper on the Present
Situation.

WASHINGTON, March At is under
stood that the probable action of con-.
eress in respect to the Cuban resolU.
tions pending in both houses Of cen
gress absorbed the attention Of the
cabinet meeting. In view of the posi-
ton taken heretofore by the president
and the secretary Of state, and which
there is no reason to suppose they have
abandoned, towards all propositions to
Recognize the be(ligerency Of the inspr-
gents, the decision Of the senate cotnn1l-
m;ttee on foreign relations to express
the sentiment and wishes Of congress
in the form Of a concurrent resolution,
instead of shaping it as a joint resolu-
ton, has given much qualification to
the administration.
Would bs Awkward For Grover.
If the president were to be confronted
with a joint resolution, at this time,
recognizing the %belligerency Of the in
surgents and ever the independence Of
the rebels, he would be placed in a
very disagreeable position. If he ap.
proved the resolution, it would be a
confession that the course pursued by
government towards Cuba and Spain,
up to this time. had been wrong, for it
is asserted there has been no change in
the relations of the parties to the war
fare in Cuba that would warrant any
change in our attitude. 1t also would
amount to a reversal Of the position
taken by II state department in de.
fiance of some Of the great European
powers during the Brazilian insurrec-
ton, when we insisted that as a prece-
dent to recognition, the insurgents
mnst have a seat of government, must
issue money and must have a navy, for
at least two of these requisites are lack
ing in the case of the present insurrec-
tiOn.
The Public Would Nut Approve.
On the other hand, if he vetoed a
Joint resolution of this character, the
president would be obliged, possibly, to
face a storm Of popular disapproval.
ind to make All issue with congress
that might be fraught with the gravest
consequences, for it is realized that the
resolution in that case would be passed
over his veto, But in making the reso-
luton a simple concurrent one the
president will be relieved of the neces-
sity of announcing the decision at this
time. He regards the resolution as a
simple ex expression Of the sentiment OF
congress-, and not binding upon the ex.
ecutive branch as would be the case OF
u Joint resolution, which has all the
force Of an act Of congress.
A Constitutional V,4orcrctotjou
The tendency of the Cuban resolu.
tons has caused some members Of the
administration, who are taking q long
look ahead, as far ahead indeed, as thai
point where may be a deliberate propo
sition from congress to declare war
which Senator Morgan has said mus
follow the enactment Of the pending
resolutions, and they are now discuss
ing the question as to the powers o
congress and the president in tina
matter. 1t appears that much may
turn Oh he. construction to be placed
by the senate Judiciary committe,
Oh the question now before it
as to the proper scope OF joint and con
current resolutions. One express pro
vision Of the constitution says that con
gress shall have power ''todeclare war
This would seem to carry the idea tina
this may BE done by Il concurrent rqso
lution, and it is a power entirely re
served to congress, but Oil the othe
hand, another paragraph OF the consti
tuition seems to require the presidents
approval to any joint action of cosl
gress save adjournment. The anparen
constitutional conflict on this point
engaging the most serious attention G