The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-21
FOR HOLIDAYS.
Senator'S and congressman
Going Home.
Lawmakers Will Be in SeS-
sion Only Two Days.
No Action on the Cuban Resolution
Is at All Probable.

Washington, Dec. 21.-The senate will
be in session only two days this week.
and comparatively little will be accom-
plished In that time Ordinarily a
quorum would not be present. with the
holidays SO near, but interest In the
Cuban question will have the effect of
attracting good attendance today.
when the Cuban resolution, as agreed 70
by the committee on foreign relations,
viii be reported TO the senate. The re-
port will be written, and is quite vol
luminous.
Whether It's presentation viii be used
as preteXt for discussing the Cuban
question at this time is as yet uncertain.
III Is contrary to the policy OF the COM
mittee on foreign relations to have the
matter discussed previous To the holi-
days, but II Is possible that some SEN
ators. not members OF the committee,
may want TO express their opinions at
this time. There IL, however, no prob
ability OF any effort to secure action on
the resolution now.
There is very little probability that
there will be any change in the program
OF congress for an adjournment for the
holidays on Dec 22, because OF the Cam
eron Cuban resolution. The rules of the
senate provide that in case of a single
objection to the consideration of a bill
or resolution reported II shall go over
till the next day. Consequently If an
attempt was made TO have the resolu-
ton considered today this objection
would be forthcoming. A great many
senators have made their preparations
to leave the city for the holiday recess.
and IL is thought unlikely that a quorum
can be mustered on Tuesday by which
business can be transacted and this
point would be raised If the Cameron
resolution was brought forward.
The statement made by Mr.. Olney Is
still subject Of earnest discussion. on
some hands his position is fully sus-
tsined, while on others 1t is admitted
that perhaps from purely technical
statement of law the secretary's position
Is correct, but that certainly he violates
the principle OF the constitution. Those
who make this contention reverse the
circumstances. Supposing, they say,
that the president declared that he in
tended to recognize a republic, and that
congress should pass a resolution de-
claring II their judgment that no such
action should be taken, would 1t be pos
sible for the president I'm the face of the
position OF both the senate and the
house 10 exercise his prerogative and
recognize a republic? This constitu-
tional point has, for the time being, sup
planted I'm interest the resolution itself,
and IL Is known that when the resolution
Is brought forward for discussion that
debate of considerable interest and
length will ensue on this subject. The
position OF Mr.. Olney, setting forth that
of the administration, will undoubtedly
have It's effect in some quarters of the
senate, and Ii Is said that sufficient op-
position can be mustered to defeat the
resolution.
The house will adjourn on Tuesday for
the Christmas recess, and as members
are leaving by every train, IL is very
doubtful whether a quorum w..i be pres
ent again until after the holidays. This
being the case, whatever is done will
have to be done practically by unan-
imous consent. The legislative, execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill is still
This bill and the bill for the
OF the military academy
the leaders hope TO pass before the re-
cess. The only thing which may stand
In the way OF carrying out this program
will be the fight which the library COM
llittee will wage against the provision
relative TO the library in the legislative
bill.