Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-22
CUBA'S DAY In THE SENATE
Cameron Report is Presented and Laid on
Table Until After Holidays
VEST DISCUSSES POWERS OF CONGRESS
Resolution Declaring Against the
Principle Enuncintcd by Olncy
to he Discussed Tudny-Othcr
Resolutions Introduced.

literally deluged for half an hour today with
reports, resolutions and spirited colloqu!es
on the Cuban question. The intense public
interest In this subject was shown by the
presence of the largest crowds seen since
the opening day Of the session. All avail
abla space in the public galleries wRs taken
and the diplomatic gallery was filled with
such distinguished occupants as Sir Julian
Pauncerote, the British ambassador; Baron
Won Hengelmuller, the Austrian minister;
Mr.. Hatch, the Hawaiian minister accom-
panied by the suites and ladies of the en-
bassies and legations. The main event of the
day was the presentation by Mr. Cameron of
the report of the committee on foreign rela-
tons, favorable to his resolution recognizing
the independence of Cuba. This proceeding
was brief and perfunctory, the report not be-
ing read, and an agreement speedily reached
by which the resolution and report go over
until after the holidays. Aside from the
Cameron report, Mr.. Morgan of Alabama,
presented a further report on the same lines,
embodying the views of himself, and Mr..
Mills. The Offering OF the reports served as
a prelude to several brisk exchanges between
senators. Mr.. Hill of New York desired
to know whether the reports went into the
constitutional question of the legislative
power of recognition OF Independence Mr..
conceded this power and Mr.. Morgan point
ediy added that denial Of such power was
"prepcsterous." MIR. Vest also came forward
with some remarks, which promised to give
n sharp personal turn to the debate. He
spoke of his establishment on seeing Secre-
tary Oneys public statement declaring the
executive alone had the power to recognize
independence. Mr.. Vest had hardly begun
when Mr.. Hale, republican of Maine, made a
point of order against him on the ground that
ID 10 To usn nf np.1 i@r- ,,yf
senator willingly yielded, announcing that he
would speak tomorrow on the resolution he
had offered declaring that recognition of in
dependence is joint power Of the legislative
and executive branches. Several other Cuban
resolutions were offered. those by Mr. Hill
and Mr.. Chiffon. declaring that state of
war existed in Cuba, warranting the Tecogni-
tion of the belligerent rights of both parties,
and calling for the observance of strict neu-
trality by the United States, and one by
Mr.. Bacon, declaring that the power OF recog-
nlZing Independence is a prerogative belong
ing exclusively to the congress. Mr.. Sher-
man, from the committee on foreign rela-
tions, reported favorably the resolutions of
Mr.. Cali, asking for information relative to
American citizens confined in Spanish prisons
and this was agreed to by the senate. Aside
from the Cuban subject. the session was not
eventful. Mr.. Gear, republican OF Iowa made
an unsuccessful effort to take mp the Pacific
railroads funding bill, and then gave notice
1t would be urged after the holidays.
CAMERON'S RESOLUTION EARLY.
The chaplain's prayer, in alluding to the
opening of the Christmas week. invoked
peace ON earth and good will toward men.
Petitions from many quarters urged recog-
milton OF Cuban independence.
The foreign delegation was we'll repre-
sented in the diplomatic gallery. At 1890
p. m, while the routine business was pro-
ceedlns, Mr.. Cameron arose and in voice
hardly audible presented the report of the
committee on foreign relations favorable TO
the resolution for Cuban independence. He
asked that the resolution and report be
printed and laid on the table and that 500
additional copies of the report be printed.
Mr sherman inteTposed to ask If it was
understood that the resolution was to re-
main on the table until after the holidays.
Mr.. Cameron answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Morgan, democrat of Alabama, pre-
sented a supplementary report on the Cuban
resolutions, He said il was offered on be-
half of himself and Mr.. Mills of the COM
mttee, who fully concurred in the report of
Mr.. Cameron, but desired TO give some ad-
ditional facts to justify the nndings of the
committee.
Mr.. Sherman presented two favorable re-
ports from the committee on foreign rela-
tlons on the resolutions offered by Mr.. Call,
democrat of Florida
The first resolution requests the secretary
of state for lists of all United States citizens
confined in Spanish prisons. The other
resolution requested the executive branch to
demand the release of all United States cti-
Zens confined at the Spanish penal colony
on the island of Centa, off the African coast
Senator Bacon of Georgia introduced
resolution on the constitutional question
raised between the executive and congress
by the Cuban war. The resolution declares
that the recognition of governments is
sovereign power which does not appertain
to the executive except as the right of veto
makes him part of the law-making power
Senator Chiffon of Texas introduced
substitute for the Cameron resolution de-
claring that a state of war existed in Cuba
and that the United States should remain
neutral, according the rights of belllger-
ency to both parties.
Mr.. HILL democrat of New York, who had
been seeking to secure recognition, now
asked If either of the reports by Mr. Cam
eron and Mr.. Morgan discussed the constitu-
uonal power OF congress 20 pass the reso-
lutions rs reported or whether the reports
were confined to the propriety of passing the
resolution.
MIR. Cameron responded that the constitu-
tional power of congress ought 10 be con-
coded by everybody.
power Is not discussed in the reports, >" re-
marked Mr.. Hill.
Mr.. Morgan was on his feet, turned toward
Mr.. Hill and said: ITO discuss that proposi-
tion Is simply prepostsrous."
Such a view may be entirely satisfactory
to the senator from Alabama" answered Mr..
Hill. II simply desired to understand that
the constitutional question was not dis
cussed."
POWERS OF CONGRESS.
Mr.. Vest democrat of Missouri came for
ward at this point in some pointed remarks
which promised to open the whole Cuban
question. He prefaced them with the presen-
taton Of a joint resolution, reclting that
The power of recognizing independence does
not reside exclusively with the president.
The resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That the president Is not vested
by the constitution with exclusive power
10 determine when the independence of n
foreign people, struggling TO establish a /
government for themselves shall be rcCog-
IS vested in congress and the president, TO
be exercised in conformity with section /
article /, of the constitution.
Mr., Vest said that he had been astonished
1t seeing the extraordinary statement made
)y Secretary Olney saying that the action /
)f congress concerning Cuba would be en-
irely Ineffective. II was the first time Mr. /,
Vest said, that a cabinet minister had thus !.
the public. WheE tie Hawaiian /
question was Inder consideration the sena- /
or had examined the subject of recognition |
md had reached the conclusion that the |
president did not have the exclusive power |
If recognition.
1T is TO me a most astonishing propo- /
iti0n.' said Mr., Vest that while the con /
tltution gives to congress the exclusive war T
making power, the president alone is able /