The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-21
SCENES TN THE SENATE
Presentation of the Report and a
Morgan Supplemena--Eliu Sneers

WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1S96.-The gem
eral anticipation of an exciting scene in
the Senate chamber over the Cameron
resolution recognizing the independence
of the Republic of Cuba, and particularly
over the defiant position taken by the
Secretary of State, had not the effect of
bringing large crowd into the galleries
this morning. There was no more than
a fair ordinary attendance of spectators
and there was not a single occupant of
the Diplomatic gallery Even the Chap
lain's opening prayer had no more inn
mediate allusion to the matter than an
aspiration for Peace on earth and good
will to men,"
The attendance Of Senators was, how
Sherman (Rep Ohio, Davis tMinn.) and
Cameron Rep., Pa.), on the Republican
side, and Senators Gray (Del.). Hill IN.
" and Voorhees, Qnd). on the Dem
ocratic side.
Soon after the opening of the proceed
ings and while routine matters. were be
Ter of the Austrian Legation, and half a
dozen ladies, took seats in the Diplomatic
gallery
At 1920 P. M. Mr. Cameron {Rep., Pa J
rose and in inaudible tones said that he
was instructed by the Committee on For
eign Relations to report joint resolution
acknowledging the independence of Cuba
with a written report thereon. He moved
that the resolution ana report be laid
on the table and printed and said that
the resolution would not be called up
until after the holidays
Several Senators who had been unable
to hear what he said. asked Mr.. Cameron
to repeat his statement, and when it was
repeated, taeit acquiescence was ex-
pressed.
On behalf of himself and Senator Mills
Senator Morgan of Alabama submitted an
elaborate supplementary report on the
Cuban question, which Mr.. Morgan did
r1.af III
chamber at noon. It takes, pronounced
grounds and endorses the action of the
committee Mr.. Morgan submits as ap-
pendices to this report, the report to the
Senate made by Slidell in 1853; the speech
of Senator Judah P. Benjamin on that
report; the case of Cuba as presented to
the State Department by Palma and that
part Of the Presidents message relating
Mr.. Frye Ito Mr.. Morgan)-Ask that
the additional report be printed with
the other.
Mr.. Morgan.I make that request. II
Mr.. Hill Dem, N. " asked Mr.. Cam
eron whether, in the report of the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, or in the
additional report submitted by Mr.. Nor
gan there was any discussion of the
constitutional power of Congress to pass
such a point resolution as had been re-
ported; or whether the reports were
simply confined to the propriety Of the
action xaken
Mr.. Cameron replied in the negative,
SO far as the committee report was con-
cerned.
Mr.. Morgan also replied in the negative.
remarking that the calling in question of
the right of Congress in the matter had
been considered simply too preposterous
for discussion.
"And that is the reason,'' Mr.. Hill said,
in a sarcastic tone and manner, 'twhy the
question Is not discussed
and a very good reason it isl Mr..
Morgan rejoined.
THAT may be satisfactory TO the SEN
ator from Alabama said Mr. Hill, abut
| simply desire information. I under
stand from the Senator from PennsyI-
vania that the committee report does
not discuss the question. That is all I
desired to ascertain for the present,
Mr.. Vest (Dem., MOI offered the follow
ing resolution
Resolved, That the President is not
vested by the Constitution with exclusive
power to determine when the independ-
ence of a foreign people struggling to es-
tablish government for themselves
shall ybe recognized by the United States,
but this power is vested in Congress and
the President to be exercised in conform
| ity with Section z Article / on the con-
Stftutiori