Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-21
CUBA WILL KEEP A QUORUM
Much Interest Taken in the Resolution to
Be Submitted Today.
SENATORS REMAIN AT WASHINGTON
Pcttigrcw's Free Homestead Mn aud
Gears Sioux city ~ Pacific DcLt
Bill VIII Also lie Pushed for
Passage Before Holidays.

NASHlNGION, Dec. 2O,-The senate viii
be in session only two days this week, and
comparatively little will be accomplished
In this time. Ordinarily quorum would
not be present with the holidays so near,
but interest in the Cuban question will have
the effect of attracting a good attendance
tomorrow when the Cuban resolution, as
agreed to by the committee on foreign re-
lations, will be reported to the senate. The
report will be written and is quite volumi-
nous. Whether it's presentations will he
used as preteXt for discussing the Cuban
question at this time is as yet uncertain
II is contrary to the policy OF the committee
on foreign relations to have the matter dis
cussed previous to the holidays. but 1t Is
possible that some senators, not members of
the committee, may want to express their
opinions at this time. There is, however,
no probability of any effort to secure ac-
tion on the resolution now.
Senator Pettigrew's free homestead bill ia
the unfinished business on the senate cal
ondar and the senator will make strong
efort to secure its passage before the ad-
journment for the holidays on Tuesday. Mr..
Pettigrew feels confident of success by a
large majority and says that he will not
require more than an hour to get II through
when consideration is once begun. Senator
opposed to his bill.
Senator Gear will make an effort to get
up his bill authorizing the settlement OF
the Sioux City & Pacific debt but his sue
cess in this will depend upon the disposition
of the free homestead bill
NO DELAY IN ADJOURNMENT.
There is very little probability that there
will be any change in the program of con-
gress for an adjournment for the holidays
on the 22d instant, because of the Cameron
Cuban resolution, which will be reported
to the senate tomorrow morning. The rules
of the senate provide that in case of sin
gle objection To the consideration Of a bill
or restriction reported 1t shall 20 over till
the next day. Consequently, IL an attempt
were made to have the resolution considered
tomorrow this objection would be forthcom-
ing. A great many senators have made
their preparations to leave the city for tho
holidays, and it is thought unlikely that
quorum can be mustered on Tuesday by
which business can be transacted, and this
point would be raised If the Cameron resolu-
tion was brought forward The statement
made by MIR. Olney yesterday is still a sub
iect of earnest discussion. On some hands
his position is fully sustained, while on
others IL is admitted that perhaps from a
purely technical statement of law the secre-
tarys position is correct, but that certainly
he violates the principle of the constitution.
Those who make this contention reverse
the circumstances. Surprising, they say,
that the president declared that he intended
to recognize a republic and that congress
should pass a resolution declaring II their
judgment that no such action should he
taken, would it be possible for The prcsi-
dent, in the face of the position of both SEN
ate and house, to use the executive preroga-
tive and recognize any republic? This con-
stitutional question has for the time being
supplanted in interest the resolution itself,
and IL Is known that when the resolution
is brought forward for discussion debate
of considerable interest and length will en-
sue this subject. The position OF Mr..
Olney, setting forth that of the administra-
tion, will undoubtedly have its effect in
some quarters of the senate, and 1t is said
tonight that sufficient opposition can be
mustered to defeat the resolution.
General Henderson of Iowa, the second
member of the house committee on rules,
spoke earnestly, saying: LAS a citizen OF
a republic my sympathies are strongly with
the Cuban insurgents. AS citizen of this
republic, | am in favor of attending strictly
to our own business"
WILL WAIT FOR M'KINLEY.
Mr.. Qugg of New York, member of the
foregn affairs committee said: 1.-The Sec
retarys statement expresses my views OF
tho relation of congress to the act of ac-
sovereignty. | don't think
that we have anything that can be described
as power II IL requires the presidents
signature to change the name of prairie
postoflce, it certainly ought not TO be pos
sible without his signature to change the
status of nations. But the secretary, l
think, is unduly anxious. The Cameron
will not get past the house COM
mittee, in my opinion. Tho Cuban question
must wait the judgment of President Nc
Kinley. We are not going to start his 'ad-
with a war, at least not until
he has chance to say whether In his judg-
ment war is what the people want"
Mr. Pearson nf North Carolina of tha
foreign affairs committee of the house said:
'Mr Oneys interview surprises me more
than did the action of the senate commit
tee on foreign relations. The tone of as
sumed infallibiity, not to say of arrogance,
Is likely TO intensity the feelings and add
to the force and number of the extremists
in both houses"
Representative McCreaTy OF the foreign
affairs committee did not think 1t proper
TO express his views.