The San Francisco call., 1896-12-20

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without any manifestation of surprise. A
few members thought that the Secretary S
announcement raised grave constitu-
tional question. and Pearson of North
Carolina commented on its stone of in
fallibility," which. in his Judgment, was
not justified by the first article of the con-
stitution.
Moody of Massachusetts, thought that
the consideration of the abstract question
which the Secretary statement raises is
likely to obscure the question of the Cuban
independence.
Livingston of Georgia strongly dissent
ed from the Presidents position, and
thought if he maintains he may make
himself liable to impeachment.
Generally speaking. however, the secre-
tary's position was regarded as clarifying
the atmosphere and throwing fresh OBJ
stacle in the path of Congress to inter
pose in the struggle between Spain and
her colony. A careful canvass of the
House disclosed the fact that good many
members have no clear conception of the
relative powers of the President and Con-
gress, and were unwilling to discuss has
tily that phase of the interview.
The House is plainly not in belligerent
mood. What it would do if the Senate
resolution came squarely before it can
only be conjectured. 1t is reasonable to
assume that it would pass it after more
or less vigorous debate but it is equally
clear that the House at present has little
interest in the Cuban question and that
the sentiment respecting the insurgents
has radically changed since the last
session.
There is more than reasonable doubt
whether the Foreign Affairs Committee
would report the resolution favorably.
To-day as yesterday members of the CON-
mittee were reticent in their speculation
as TO what they might do, but there is a
probability that a majority would set
their faces against any action which
might embarrass President Cleveland or
prove handicap to the incoming admin
istration.
The administration men in the House
do not propose to go contrary to the
Presidents views, while the Republican
leaders are not disposed to adopt any
course which might be distasteful to the
President-elect.
Dingley of Maine expressed the belief
that ordinarily interference of Congress in
state affairs only produced mischief.
Turner of Georgia maintains Olney's
opinion, and says that the business of the
country requires rest from agitation and
excitement, and this is the view that
many Democrats and Republicans share
with him.
Various considerations influence the
members, the larger number thinking the
question should not be left for the new ad.
ministration to settle, while Others fear
that the probability of war would seriously
disturb existing conditions at the very
moment that manufacturers are antici-
pating a revival of better times from the
adoption of new tariff policy.
Many mem bers who deprecate any ac-
tion on the part of Congress which might
DE construed by Spain as an unfriendly
act would doubtless be driven by the force
of popular will at home to support the
Senate resolution and do not, for that
reason, wish to be quoted. The intima.
ton privately given is that their influence
will be quietly exerted to pigeonhole the
resolution until the session is too far ad-
vanced to make its adoption advisable.