Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-05
PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS
A Bitter Feeling Against Mr. Cleveland's
Treatment of the Legislative Power.
The Cuban Incident May BE Seized
ON to Bring the Matter to
q Direct Issue.

The difference of opinion between the
President and Congress on the Cuban ques-
tion promises the development of a con-
troversy more interesting to this country
than is the war in Cuba. In Congress there
is strong feeling that President Cleveland
is too ready to disregard Congress in all
matters. Many think that he takes pleas
ure In treating Congress with contempt.
This feeling has been growing for a long
time and has been given a good deal to
feed upon. The disposition is to join the
issue with him and settle the question of
how far the executive is independent of
Congress. Thus far there has been nothing
but talk on the subject. Bitter speeches
have been made on the floor of both houses
and still more bitter talk has been INDUCED
In around the fires i'm the cloak rooms The
irritation over the course of the Secretary
of Agriculture and of the treasury officials
has found expression in this way, and the
general discomfort has ripened the stua-
ton for direct issue to be made now that
Mr.. Cleveland indicates a purpose to disre-
gard the practically unanimous expression
of opinion by both houses.
To Test His Power.
The opportunity is apt to be seized upon
as most favorable one, and the accu-
mulated Irritation is expected to find eX-
preston. Strong influences are at work in
the effort to prevent conflict of authority,
but the indications are that the feeling in
Congress is too strong to be controlled.
Those who want to avoid trouble are anx-
Ious to delay the matter by hanging the
conc urrent resolution up in conference until
the impetuous element has had time to
cool off. Mr.. Hit and Speaker Reed had
a conference this morning over the ques-
ton of appointing conferees on the part of
the House, and 1T is understood that MIR.
Reed argued very strongly against being
in too great hurry about the matter. Delay
might have cooling influence, il it were
not for the Official statement of the ad-
ministration attitude given out b.: Secre-
tary Olney. With that announcement that
after the concurrent resolution is fixed up
in conference and sent to the President ii
will be ignored staring them in the face,
the Cuban enthusiasts are not disposed 10
temporiZe. They want to go directly at the
question in way to determine whether or
not they can compel the President to carry
out the wishes of Congress in the matter.
Mr. Aliens Joint Resolution.
Mr.. Allen introduced a joint resolution
in the Senate today, directing the Presl-
dent to recognize the independence of
Cuba. There is no great significance in
this action on his part, since he does not
represent any one but the populists. From
other sources, however, a joint resolution
recognizing the belligerency and, perhaps,
the Independence of Cuba, is expected. In
response to the sentiment in favor of as
serting the authority of Congress and
foicfng~the President to act, it is regarded
as probable that such joint resolution
may, after some delay, be adopted by both
houses. 1t would not be expected to- have
as strong support as was given to the other
resolutions, yet little doubt is expressed
that it could readily be passed over the
Presidents veto il necessary. The spirit
of the thing is to force Mr.. Cleveland's
hand, and see how far he may go in re-
sistance of the will of Congress.
1t is not improbable that if he should
veto joint resolution sent to him in this
way he would refuse to regard it when
passed over his veto, holding that it dealt
greSS.
1t is this situation that the more con-
servative men fear and are anxious to
avoid. The extremists, however, are eager
to make the test of their power. An at
tempt would be made to impeach the Presi-
dent IL he should ignore a joint resolution
on this subject passed over his veto, and
serious situation would be brought about.
Will Be Soon Passed.
1t is probable that the concurrent reso-
very soon and be sent to the President
Some time will then have TO be given for
the President to consider the matter, and
the feeling in Congress may die out some
what by that time.
In the foreign relations circle of the
Senate there is a general understanding
that the Senate conferees are going to
yield when they get into conference ard
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