The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-12-25
(From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER


WASHINGTON, ID. c., DEC. %, '96.
Talking war and voting for what
would bring actual war are two very
different things. The leading re
publicans furnished their share Of
the war talk which preceded the
election in the halls OF Congress,
but now the election is over and a
republican president is on the eve
of being inaugurated, some of these
republicans have changed their tune.
This has been especially noticeable
since the Senate Committee on For.
eign Relations took the bull by the
horns and reported a short resolu-
ton declaring the independence OF
Cuba, and that the U. S. would use
its good offices to bring about peace
between the Spaniards and Cuba,
Notwithstanding protest from Sec
letary Olney, who appeared before
the Committee and argued a con-
tinuance of the policy Of non-action.
The republicans have not made any
party announcement on this resolu-
ton and probably will not until the
public discussions during the Con-
gressional holiday recess shall have
shown Enthusiastically whether it
would be wise for them to make the
defeat OF the resolution a party
question. Mckinley doesn't want
the resolution adopted, and his
closest friends in Congress are
scheming to get up plan under
which it may be hung up without
vote. Speaker Reed declines to
publicly commit himself, but he is
believed to be against it. That the
resolution, if put into force, would
result in a war with Spain is believed
by all, but it is long ways from
being in force, and your correspond
ent would not like to put up a cent
on its being in force. In the first
place, it would have to get two
thirds vote in both branches of Con-
gress in order to be adopted over
President Cleveland's veto, which it
would certainly meet upon its first
adoption. McKinley's wishes may
not affect the Senate, but they will
have much weight in the House.
The fate OF the resolution depends
largely upon the state Of pub
lie opinion when Congress re-
assemblies, and that may be affected
one way or the other by news from
Cuba during the next two weeks.
The remarkable position assumed
toward the Cuban resolution by
Secretary Olney is causing much
talk among the Constitutional law
yers in and out of Congress. II,
isays that the President alone il
vested by the Constitution with au
Ithority to recognize a new state AN,
that Mr.. Cleveland will not ODE,
the resolution even if it should re
ceive the unanimous vote OF boil
! branches of Congress, but will re
gard it simply as an expression Q
Congressional opinion. Most 9
: those who will talk express tn
opinion that Mr.. Olney is wrong.
The Tennessee delegation in tn
! House are under obligations
Speaker Reed for counting quoruI
: to pass the bill appropriating $50
! 1000 for Government building an
n Exhibit at the Nashville Centennia
Isl which was fought by Representati'
J. Bailey, Of Texas.
A gooily number Of Senate
70 and Representatives didn't wait I
n the adjournment on the 22nd for Il
n Christmas recess. Congress W
ve reassemble Jan. 5.
ct Senator Vest declares the repo
~ ridiculous that he had the nomin
a. ton Of Secretary Francis held up
h. help him get reelected to the Sc
ld ate, and calls attention to the IA
OF that there is neither Palmer mol
be Mckinley democrat in the Misso,
he legislature. As to why this al
ny other gold democratic nominatio
ur have been held up, Mr.. Vest sal
at 1.-The nomination Of Francis "
ire postponed for consideration I'm
nd after the recess, as were the nomir
We tons Of all the Palmer or McKinl
N, democrats. There was a look
-m the eyes Of the Senator when
in spoke which bodies no good
to these held up nominations.
ly. Charlie Crisp, son Of the late q
IA Speaker of the House, was sworn
la as member on Saturday. He
ata the vounUeef mornher ~ tho Hon