Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-12-24

on Cuban resolution, If pressed to final
passage in both houses, will oonsti-
a direct and formidable issue between
the executive and legislative
branches OF the government This is
clearly Indicated by the following in
terview given out Wy Secretary olneN
Yesterday.
4 have no objection to stating my
own view of the resolution respecting
the independence Of the so-ealled re-
public of Cuba which, il is reported, Is
TO be laid before the senate Monday
Indeed, as there ere likely to be sert-
Gus miSlpprehea$jons regarding such
resolution, both in this country am
abroad and rs such approximations may
lave injurious results Of gave
character, ii is perhaps my duty to
POINT ont that the resolution, If PASSED
tN the senate. can probably be regard
cd only rs an expression Of opinion by
the eminent gentlemen who woe for
ii in the senate and if passed by the
house Of representatives can only be
regarded us another expression of
opinion by the eminent gem lemeu
who vote for ii in the house. The
I power to recognize the so-called re-
public Of Cuba as an independents state
rests exclusively with the executive.
"A resolution on the subject by the
senate or by the house, or by both
bodies or by one. is imperative as leg
islation and is important only ms ad-
vice of great weight voluntarily ten
dered to the executive regarding the
manner in which he shah exercise his
constitutional functions The opera
ton and effect of the proposed reso-
luton, therefore, even if 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 intiame popular passions
both in this country and elsewhere
and may thus put in peril the lives
and property OF American citizens who
are residents and travelling abroad and
will certainly obstruct and perhaps
defeat the best efforts of this govern
ment TO afford such citizens due pro-
lection. But, except in these ways.
and unless the advice embodied in the
resolution shall lead the executive to
revise conclusions already reached ana
officially declared the resolution will
leave unaltered the attitude of this
government towards the two contend
ing parties in Cuba.
The impression here is that Secre-
tary Olneys statement pointing the
lack of leg@l effect OF the passage of
the Cameron joint resolution was
called forth by a desire to minimize the
danger of an outbreak in Spain on the
part of the eXcitablc popu'ace, which is
generally realized in this country.
Nothing less than some such cmer-
gency, it is argued, would induce the
secretary to depart 50 widely from his
usual practice of refusing TO comment
publicly on foreign relations. par:icu-
larry during She absence from Wash
ington OF The president. OF course the
latter is committed by the declaration
of the first officer of his cabinet to the
a, authority to recognize the indepcnd-
ence Of Cuba, for to abate anything
ot this assertion Of power on his part
would be construed as a Reputation
OF the action of the secretary and prob
ably would cause a disruption Of the
cabinet
SO far as can 1e gathered from a
cursory scanning of the records there
is no case that affords an exact prcce-
dent to this. for nowhere has the ex.
ccutive and congress directly differed
and made an issue on the question Of
recognizing another nation.
Senator Cameron, the author Of the
resolution which has given rise 20 tn 3
issue, il is understood. has made a
most careful and exhaustive study Of
the constitutional aspect of the matter
and is firmly convinced that congT s.
has power to proceed along the lines
Of his resolution TO recognize the new
republic.
OF course Secretary Olney's statement
indicates clearly that if the joint res
olnti1n ever passes both branches 81
congress and Is sent 10 the president
ne latter will veto II. no only On the
ground Of impolicy. but also because
ii constitutes an infringement 81 his
own prerogatyes Moreover. he see
rotary in his interview goes beyond
this point and in almost as many words
says that no attention will be paid 70
the will Of congress In this matter even
II the resolution is passed over the
presidents veto
In this case grave conflict Of powers
~ the government might bc expected
10 follow. though just how the issue
may b. made up 70 that 1t can be
reached By the supreme corr.. III"
arbitor Of all questions Of constitution
atty. Is not clear at present II Is
suggested however, that If the issue
goes u that length. congress BY tn"
achieve its purpose indirectly b. The
exercise Of d power certainly cOnfifed