New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-20
CONGRESS MAY BE DEFIED.
Confined from First Page.


~ strengthened by the argument so forcibly
,,rged by the Secretary of State. that Congress
;s Mainly exceeding its Constitutional authority
;n endeayoring to perform by ndrection what
are really purely executive acts.
Tho administration by to-day's proclamation
-, Least makes It's attitude toward Cuba
o,ear and dispels any illusion which may have
listed at the Capitol that a resolution framed
in some such terms as Mr.. Canerons would find
acceptance at the other end OF the avenue
FEAR OF AN OUTBREAK IN SPAIN.
Tho ,,npression here is that Secretary Olney's
s.c,er,ent was called forth by a desire to mini
,,ize the danger of an outbreak in Spain on the
,ort Of the excitabe populace which is per-
hans more imminent than is generally realized
t., this country. Nothing less than some such
~ it is argued. would induce the Sec
ra,arv TO depart widely from his usual prac-
,;co Of refusing TO comment publicly on foreign
relations. particularly in the absence IRON ON
Washington of the President OF course. the
after is committed by the declaration or the
arst officer OF his Cabinet to the view that
congress has no Constitutional authority 70
recognize the independence of Cuba. Tor 10 aDate
anything of this assertion OF power on his part
innjd be construed as a reputation OF the &C
ZION of the Secretary. and would probabiy cause
a disruption of the Cabinet
NO PRECISELY PARALLEL CASE
ca far as can be gathered from cursory re-
WOW Of the records. there is 10 case that affords
an exact precedent to this for nowhere have the
r,xecutive and Congress directly differed and
made an issue on the question of recognizing an
ether nation. II has been tacitly admitted here
,osore that as Secretary Olney contends. this Is
a nurelv Executive function. but Senator Cam
eron the author of the resolution which has given
rise 10 this issue has. ii is understood made
a most careful and exhaustive study Of the con-
stitutional aspect of the matter and is firmly
convinced that Congress has power TO proceed
along the lines of his resolution TO recognize the
new Republic.
Many Senators. especially those friendly to
the cause of the Cuban insurgents. were greatly
surprised at the tone ana contents OF oee.e!al.
Olney's interview Senator Chandler said that
the statement issued by Secretary Olney was ex-
traordinary. Before a resolution is reported
from the committee" he added. before 1t is
passed 10y the Senate. before 1t is passed by the
House the Secretary issues a statement saying
II YOU pass il by both houses 1t will be vetoed If
passed by two-thrds majority over the veto 1T
will be defed 1t IS the most startling PROPOSE
ton coming from an executive officer
Worse than Andrew Johnson" said Senator
Wilson, who was sitting by.
Yes worse than Andrew Johnson" assented
Senator Chandler. land Cabinet officer issuing
such a statement should be subjected to the
severest censure. The idea Of announcing in ad-
vance that the President will not carry out the
Senator Daniel. who is member Of the Conn
rttee on Foreign Relations. said: THE position
of Secretary Oney is preposterous.
The Senator was not at the meeting yesterday.
nrd when asked concerning his position replied:
81 am not ready TO say / favor the resolution.
an, in favor of recognizing belligerency. but as
the independence l desire TO STUDY the ques-
ton -
Mr. Cullom. Of Illinois. member OF the SEN
ate Committee on Foreign Relations remarked:
II voted for the Cameron resolution in COM
mittee because it seemed the best thing we
could do was TO adopt that measure din not
fully. approve it, but / will he ready 20 support
Il in the Senate unless some one proposes q
better measure. 90,
not one Of those who approve the Cameron
resolution. / generally approve Of the course
on the Cuban question that has been taken by
Senator Hale
MORE CRITICISMS BY SENATORS.
Discussing the statement Of Secretary oiney'
Senator Frye. a member Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations. said: Il have no DOUBT a ma
jority Of the members Of the committee believe
that if the resolution passes by two-thirds vote
over the Presidential veto II becomes law. and
the Executive would be compelled TO execute IT
as any other Lave on the statute books / think
It is also the opinion Of a majority or the COM
m!ttee that the Secretary OF state ~ wrong IN
his opinion that the recognition Of the Republic
as an independent State rests exclusively with
the Executive. AS one member OF the committee
have been inclined To think he Is right in this
latter proposition. and have not fully determined
what the effect would be If we were TO pass the
resolution over a veto. am so strongly I'M
pressed that it IS the duty OF the United states
in some way to put stop to the horrible slaugh-
ter and barbarous brutality in island almost
in sight of our shores that am disposed to give
10 the insurgents the benefit of all doubts
Senator Chandler said TT is the most I'M
precedented statement have ever heard from d
Cabinet officer and no criticism or such con-
duct can be too severe 1t is evidently inspired
and comes direct from the President In eject
he says that if pass the resolution ne VIII
veto il. and IL pass II over his veto ne VIII
defy us II is worse than the conduct OF An
drew Johnson The only trouble Is that II we
were 10 pass ii over the veto. and Mr. CleVe-
land should refuse to execute the law there
would be no time to impeach him. Thank Goa,
however We will not have him In the Executive
Mansion after March T.
This statement Of Mr.. Olney is the most pre-
MYSTERIOUS proposition ever emitted by an en-
ragged Executive. and has no foundation what
ever either in reason or precedent Inc 1'resi-
dent and Secretary are guilty or utterlhs the
grossest defiance Of Congress that can be mag
ined. No President or Secretary WIN any
length of time to serve before him would nave
dared 10 assert to the world that he Is the
Government Of the United States in spite or any
enactment of Congress. This manifesto is IN
tended to encourage Spanish sympathizers ana
10 discourage the friends OF the CUBAN ne
public. 1t IL intended TO induce the co"aiu up
commercial spirit of the country TO demand the
nrolorration Of the atrocities and horrors OF
the Cuban war lest stocks and bonds snail ran
In market price. To intimidate Congress. the
President plays the role Of Andrew Johnson
The effect will be that the friends or Cupa III
Congress will be more earnest TO secure appio-
Pirate action.
SENATOR MORGANS VIEWS.
Senator Morgan of Alabama: IF the Presi-
6er, has the mower TO disregard a law enacted
nv Congress over his veto. we lave ceased 10
live IN q land of laws and have found In our
pr ,dan,ial office a power that is not pretended