The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-12-24
oLNEY's OPINION.
ForeshadoWs . Possible Conflict Between
~ - Proeldont and Coprreas.

-. olNEY'S OPINION. s.
Foreshadows Possible Conflict Between
*' President aud ConGress. .-
Washington, Dec. 21.-The Cameron
Cuban resolution, if pressed to final pas
sage in both houses, will constitute u
direct and formidable issue between the
executive and legislative branches of
the government. This is clearly indi-
cated by an interview given out by Sec
rotary Olney. Secretary Olney being
asked his opinion as to the nature and
effect of the proposed resolution recog-
MIXING the independence of the republic
of Cuba said:
II have no objection to stating my own
view OF the resolution respecting the in
dependence of the so-called republic Of
Cuba which, It Is reported, is to be laid
before the senate on Monday. Indeed. as
there are likely to be serious misapprehen-
stons regarding such resolution. both IN
this country and abroad. and as such
apprchensions may have injurious results
OF q grave character. 1t IL perhaps my duty
to point out that the resolution. II assed
by the senate, can probably be regarded
only as an expression Of opinion by the
eminent gentlemen who vote for 1t in the
senate. and IL passed by the house of rep
resentatives. can only be regarded as an
other expression Of opinion by the eminent
gentlemen who vote for 1t in the house.
The power to recognize tho so-called re-
public CT Cuba as an independent 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, whether concurrent or joint. Is
imperative as legislation and is important
only as advice OF great weight voluntarily
rendered 10 the executive regarding the
manner in which he shall exercise his
constitutional functions.
'"The operation and effect OF the proposed
resolution. therefore, even II passed by
both houses OF congress by two-th:rds
vote. are perfectly plain. 1t may raise
expectations in some quarters which can
never be realized. 1t may inaamc 2opu.
lar passions both in this country and
elsewhere. may thus put in peril the lives
and property OF American citizens WhU are
resident and travelling abroad. and will
certainly obstruct and perhaps defeat the
best efforts OF this government to AFFORD
such citizens due protection. But. except
In these ways anu unless The advice en-
bodied in the resolution shall lead the
executive to revise conclusions already
reached and officially declared. the reso-
luton will DO without effect and will l,'ave
unaJtered the attitude OF this government
TOWARDS the Two contendlnX parties In
Cuka."
Of course, Secretary Olney's state.
meut indicates clearly that IT the joint
resolution ever passes both branches OF
congress and is sent to the president
the latter vii! veto it, not only ON the
ground Of inpolicy, but also because it
constitutes an infringement of his own
prerogativcs. Moreover, the secretary
in his interview goes beyond this point,
and in almost US many words says that
NO attention will be paid to the will OF
congress in this matter, even if the
resolution is passed over the presidents
veto. In this case grave conflict OF
powers Of two branches of the govern
ment might lie expected to follow,
though just how the issue may be made
up 40 that it can he reached by the SIT
preme court, the ;lrbiter OF all ques-
tions Of constitutionality, is not clear at
present.
1t is suggested, however, that il the
issue goes to thut length congress may
achieve it's purpose indirectly by the
exercise Of IL power certainly contided
to it exclusively by the constitution,
namely. by u declaration OF war, which:
is, after ult, in the judgment of many
authorities, only what the recognition
of the independence of Cubu under ca
listing conditions would mean.
Madrid, Dec. 2l.-The explicit an.
nouncement is made that Senior Dupuy
de LONE, the Spanish minister at Wash.
:ngton. has telegraphed to his home
government here that he had con-
ference with Mr.. Oiney, the secretary
of state, in the course of which the lat
ter assured him that Spain might rest
tranquil until March, at least. since.
despite the attitude of congress. Presi-
dent Cleveland would not recognize the
independence of Cuba.