The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-03-12
WASHINGTON.
from our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, March 9th, 1So,

by either Congressional majorities or
adverse public opininion. This time
it is the Cuban question upon which
his opinion is directly contrary to that
of majority in Congress, which has
declared by the adoption of concur
rent resolution, in favor ofrecognition
of the Cubans as belligerents and of
taking steps toward the independence
of Cuba. Before the House and Sen
ate had decided upon the wording of
that resolution statement was given
out by Secretary Olney showing that,
in the opinion of the President and
his Cabinet, the Cubans were not en-
titled to recognition as belligerents,
and making it plain that the President
would not willingly accord them that
recognition until he thought them en-
titled to it.
Mistakes have been made before
by President Cleveland, and some Of
his most ardent admirers think that
he is making a mistake in not acting
in accordance with the concurrent
resolution against which a total of
only 23 votes were cast in both
branches of Congress, and which they
believe to represent the sentiments OF
large majority of the citizens of the
United States. But whether one
thinks the President right or wrong
in this matter, it is impossible not to
admire the moral courage of the man
who can stand up in the face OF public
opiuion and Congress and say 81 will
not do this thing because do not
believe it the right thing to do"
While the President can ignore the
concurrent resolution, Congress can
compel him to carry out its wishes if
it can get two-thirds of both the
House and the Senate to vote for a
joint resolution expressing those wish
es, because that number of votes will
be sufficient to pass the same over the
Presidents veto, which would make it
law. Some think that this will be
the final outcome of the matter, but
they are merely guessing; there is
nothing in sight to indicate it.
According to those who know all
the circumstances, the sending of the
Father Marquette statue to the Statu-
AIRY Hall of the Capitol building by
the State of Wisconsin was the result
of a political play made by republi-
can candidate for his party's nomina-
tion for governor of Wisconsin, away
back when the late 'Jerry" Rusk was
governor of that state. This would
be candidate introduced bill in the
State Legislature, providing for the
sending of the statue of Father Mar
quette to Washington by the State,
and succeeded in having it passed,
arguing with the republican members
that it would catch Catholic votes for
that party. When the bill reached
Gov. Rusk he declined to sign it, and
would have vetoed it had not this
would-be candidate persuaded him
that it was good politics to sign the
bill, and then assured him that he
would see that the statue was never
made. But this would-be candidate
not only failed to get the coveted
nomination but he lacked the power
to prevent the statue being made, and
to-day it stands in Statuary Hall, one
of the most artistic statues there
The A. P. A. has demonstrated its
ability to control the present republl,
can House, and its original program
was to have that body adopt Repre-
sentative Linton's resolution against
allowing the statue to remain in the
Capitol, but so many republicans who
live in districts where Catholic voters
are numerous, have shown that theil
defeat would be certain if that pro
gram was carried out, that party pres
sure has been brought to bear upor
the leading A. P. A. men in the
House, and the program is held up
for time, if not for good, All of the
lessons of European history are for
gotten by those men who are trying
to use religious prejudice for partisan
political purposes, and even the more
recent lesson that broke the heart o
James G.. Blaine. When religious
denominatlonal lines shall be drawn
In policical parties, if such a calamit!
shall ever befall this country, the deatl
of the republic will be near at hand.
The debate on the resolution tC
seat Col. Dupont as Senator from
Delaware is on, and may last ten day
or longer. The republicans are mucl
disturbed over rumor that the popu
lists will join the democrats in voting
down the resolution.
Senator Jones, of Ark, who ha