The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-22
MIR. Olney's High Horse.


The ouestion whether it Is within
the prerOgative of the executive UT 'he
legislative branch Of our government
to recognize the independence OF for-
eign people is one concerning which
there is a sufficiently animated diner
ence of expert opinion to warrant coi''-
mon minds i'm preserving discreet ST.
lence until the matter is settled. II
one WERE however, to accept as uecis-
i've the preponderance OF the repu'a-
tions of the respective authorities WHO
are at present arguing this poiht' IL
would seem that the senate committee
on foreign affairs, including such ripe
and experienced statesmen as Seiia-
tors Sherman, Cuilom, Davis, Lodse'
FRYE. Cameron and Morgan, might
reasonably prevail as against
former sheriff of Erie county, N.
V, and corpoiation lawyer whose
home was until recently in Boston,
Mass.
There is, however, another phase or
shadow this point in immediate inter-
est if not in ultimate Importance. 1t Is
stated in the inquiry whether II was
ever intended by the founders OF our
government that the president should
be invested with power to ignore ana
virtually to defy an expression ol ma
tional policy made by an oVerWheim-
ing majority of congress. The cam
eron independence resolution has not,
of course, yet received such an indorse-
ment from congress; but that II Is
likely to receive one clearly appears
from the tenor of Secretary olney $
remarkable deliverance on saturday
last. In that statement, after arbl-
trarily declaring the power of recognl-
ton to be exclusively an executive
prerogative, he went on to say:
THE operation and effect of the pro-
posed resolution, therefore, even II
passed by both houses of congress by a
two-thirds vote, are perfectly plain.
1t may raise expectations In some quar-
tiers which can never be realized. 1t
may inflame popular passions, both in
this country and elsewhere, may thus
put in peril lives and property Of
American citizens who are resident
and travelling abroad, and will GER
iainly obstruct and perhaps defeat the
best efforts of this government to af-
ford such citizens due protection. But,
except in these ways and unless the
advice embodied In the resolution shall
lead the executive to revise conclusions
already reached and officially declared,
the resolution will be without effect and
will leave unaltered the attitude of
this government toward the two con-
tending parties in Cuba"
In the face of this challenge, flung
down by a man who four years ago
was unheard of beyond the limits of
his county or his ward, before sem
ators who have grown gray in the pub
lie service of their country and whose
names are known the world over as
those of eminent authorities on consti-
tutional law, we take 1t that the sem
ate cannot in self respect do otherwise
than to pass the Cameron resolution
by u substantially unanimous vote.
Nor in this connection do we regard as
worthy Of consideration the suggestion
that prompt performance of this
obvious duty would be calculated to
embarrass or offend the incoming ex-
ecutive. The president elect, we i'm
agine, would be the last American to
hold that our government should sus-
pend its functions pending his installa-
tion in office or that a carefully con-
sidered deliverance by the legislative
branch of that government should merit
no attention other than contempt by
the executive branch.
From whatever standpoint the Olney
declaration is viewed, it insults the
spirit of our institutions and savors
of dogmatism and dictatorialism on
the part of the present executive that
cannot be too earnestly condemned
II its effect ended with the retirement
Of the Cleveland administration three
months hence, it might be endured in
patience upon the philosOphic refiec-
tion that it would soon he over. I'm
fortunately it has established a pre-
cedent that will be mischievous for all
future time unless congress shall re-
call the executive to his proper sphere
OF duty by resolute application of
the legislative lash.