Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-01
MORGAN UNEASY.
TroutIsty ol9fiN Status Of the
4ub6n1 ouSstion.
PRESIDENTS POWER N TIE CASE.


Alabama statesman Notes Some Proceed
tnss Which He Claims Would Re Usur-
patton II tAe President Should So Pro-
coed, but Il Convinced That He VIII
Not-Admits the Inemciency Of Our Neu-
traiity Laws.
WASHINGTON, June Senator Morgan,
Of the senate committee on foreign rela-
lions, and author Of the joint resolution
recognizing the existence of a state of war
in Cuba and declaring the neutrality Of
the United States, was asked concerning
the probability Of securing action upon
the resolution before adjournment, and in
reply said:
UNLESS the house should act upon Mr..
Hyde's resolution, which is identical with
the resolution offered by me in the senate
that is now held up in the committee on
foreign relations, congress will probably
disperse before any further action is posi-
BILE. That responsibility will doubtless
hasten the dispersion Of some senator's.
The disposition of the majority of the SEN
ate committee is to devolve upon the presi-
dent a responsibility that he is evidently
eager to assume.
Looks Like the Royal Prcroyative.
Congress has practically ceased to be a
factor in the government, except in the
case of a veto, when the constitution per-
mits it to net finally by two-thirds vote.
Even this function is denied when il is APP
piled to our foreign political relations For
government with three coordinate de-
partments, of which we boast, we are max
ing strange and rapid movement to-
wards re-establishing the royal preroga-
tive in the hands of our executive as an
uncomfortable power. If any British con-
stitutiOnal power was destroyed in Amer
lea by the revolution in 1776 it was the
prerOgative of the crown. If the presi-
dent, acting alone, can substitute the en-
tire body of the laws Of war for the laws
OF peace which now govern our relations
with Cuba it is in vain that we
abolished the royal prcrogative in our fed
eral constitution.
Would Usurp . Dangerous Power.
If the president, without the concur
renee of congress, should proclaim that
war exists In Cuba, and that the United
States assumes the attitude of neutral
power towards the recognized belligerents
under the laws Of nations, he would usurp
power Of the most dangerous character
In the moment Of their enthusiasm for a
decree that would be 10 Just and 80 hui
name the people would forgive the usur-
patton, but the shock it would give to our
free government would lead in time to
great disaster. In the present state of
political agitation in the country it is
dangerously apparent that declaration of
war with Spain or a declaration Of the ex.
istence of a state of war in Cuba, made on
the sole authority Of the president, would
create fever of excitement in the country
that would remove all other questions now
under anxious discussion from the minds
of the people and would control the presi-
dental election now near at hand.
Has Some Faith in the President,
Il am firmly convinced that the presi-
dent will not venture on so dangerous a
course when congress dispcrses leaving
our relations to this subject in their pres
cnt cqGivOcal situation. After
the almost unanimous declaration Of both
houses Of congress that belligerent rights
should be accorded to Cuba and that war
exists there, If we disperse without Civ
ing relief to our people from this situation
we can find no excuse for abandoning
them to their dreadful fate. except that
We are ready to abdicate our power in
favor of the supposed power or wishes of
the president"