Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-12-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
proIu our regular CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. ID. G.. Dec. Is, 1886

iOy Christmas OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AAoii
Mr.. cleveland and his fellow men,
hers Of the cabinet, on his course to-
wards the resolution for Cuban in |
dependence, as he may not be able
to extract any eajoymeat out Of what
Is said aud done by congress about it
when the holiday recess is over.
There was no luminosity shown to-
wards Secretary Olney for taking
the ground that the right of recog-
milton belongs alone to the president,
because some of the ablest men in
congress hold the same views, but
unless he can explain away the
charge, openly made in the news
papers on botn sides of the Atlantic,
that he personally assured the Span
ish minister that no action whatever
would be taken by this administra-
tlon upon Cuban matters no matter
what congress might do, he may find
himself in a very unpleasant pre-
dicament when congress reassembles,
regardless Of any action or lack Of
action upon the Cuban resolution.
If he cannot prove that he did not
make such communication to the
Spanish minister he may find him
self confronted with the charge of
high treason, and ii that charge Is
proven it would make him liable to
impeachment, and as matter OF
principle congress might decide to
impeach him as warning to future
secretaries of the state to be more
guarded, instead of allowing him to
retire from office on the 4th of March.
Under ordinary circumstances the
necessity for passing the regular
appropriation bills and the lack Of
time would be an argument against
an impeachment trial, but that argu-
ment would not carry as much
weight as usual at this session, be-
cause there will be an extra session
Of the next congress convened soon
after President McKinley's inaugur-
alton anyway, and any appropriation
bills not acted upon at this session
could easily be passed at the extra
session in time to make them avail
able ut the usual time, July lst.
Rail and scoff at sentiment as
much as you please, but it doesn't
require Christmas to prove that sem
timent plays large part in the
lives Of most of us. Senator Gal
fingers sentiment can always be
aroused by appealing to his patriot
ism, so it is not surprising to find
him working for such choice com
bination Of patriotism and sentiment
rs the proposed rebuilding of the
historic battle-ship Constitution, inn
mortalized as "Old IrousiGes,' now
lying at the Portsmouth IN. H. navy
yard i'm almost sinking condition.
Mr.. Galliager says lie intends doing
his level best to convince congress
that "Old Ironsidesn ought to be re-
built and kept forever ahoat, as Il
monument Of the heroism of Ameri
can sailors.
The republican members Of the
House committee on ways and means
are working during the congressional
recess on the tariff bill. The two
weeks hearing upon the various
schedules Of the bill begins today.
About one-tllird of congress spent
their Christmas day in Washington,
but most of them will take advan-
tage OF the recess to do little visit
ing at their homes or elsewhere.
Senator Hale, who will lead the
fight that is to he made in the senate
on the resolution recognizing the in
dependence Of Cuba, says: u WAS
sorry to see that / had been quoted
as saying in boastful manner that
we should be able to defeat the reso-
luton on vote. / would not want
to claim that result at the present
time but | hope for it in the end.
Indeed, / am receiving assurance
from influential senators every day
of sympathy with the movement in
opposition to the resolution, and l
believe the sentiment in the country
is repidly veering that way.