Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-21
JOINT RESOLUTION
Senator Morgan Introduced One Yesterday
On the Cuban Situation. :
He Says He VIII Call 1t Up Monday.
Significance Of This
- Action. .-.-z.ii e

Just before the Senate adjourned yester-
day Senator Morgan. who reported the
Cuban resolutions originally, introduced
the following joint resolution:
Resolved by the Senate and House OF
Representatives Of the United States, In
Congress assembled, That it Is hereby de-
clsred that state of public war exists In
the Island of Cuba between the govern
ment Of Spain and the people Of that
island. who are supporting a separate
government under the name Of the Repub-
lie of Cuba, and the state of belligerency
between said governments is hereby recog-
nized.
Senator Hoar asked if the resolution
came from the committee on foreign rela-
tions.
ut comes from the Senator from Ala
gama," responded Mr.. Morgan.
"a highly estimable source" said Mr..
Hoar. who has notably criticised the COM
mittee of late
Il am obliged to the Senator" answered
Mr.. Morgan, bowling. II assure him that
1 intend to press the resolution"
Will Call 1t Up Monday.
|. At Mr.. Morgan's request, the resolution
was ordered printed, and was laid on the
table. He announced privately later in
the day that he proposed to call up the
matter Monday, regardless of the confer
ence report on the concurrent resolutions
now PENDING. The rules of the Senate per-
init this to be done in the morning hour,
but 1t Is an easy matter for the opposi-
ton to debate the resolution up to 2 o'clock
and thus send it to the calendar. This,
however, els by no means an unsurmount-
able obstacle to it's success, for majority
cap at any time vote to take it from the
calendar and make it the unfinished bus
mess of thu Senate. So that its fate de-
ponds entirely upon its following. what
ny.cA
rrepared TOR it by the rules. And just in
the same degree does it's final treatment
depend upon the persistence of the OPP
position debate. The rules permit unlim-
measures heretofore prolonged before the
Senate. few determind takers may keep
the resolution pending for many weeks
The ordinary course is for a joint resolu-
ton. which is regarded in about the same
light as 4 bill. to be referred Immediately
upon its introduction to the appropriate
committee. This. however. is not required
by the rules. which provide that mo bill
or joint resolution shall be committed or
amended until it shall have been twice
read. after which 1t may be referred to a
committee" This leaves it discretionary
with the Senate. The motion to commit is
debatable.
Significance Of the Action.
The Introduction Of this resolution by
Mr.. Morgan is particularly significant II
indicates that there has come a change OF
sentiment among certain Senators as to
the propriety of putting the Cuban ex-
pressions in the form of mandate of law,
requiring the approval OF the President to
obtain force. or. falling that, the assent
Of two-thirds of each house When the
committee on foreign relations first re-
ported the concurrent resolutions that went
to the House the question was put why
this form OF legislation was chosen and
Mr.. Sherman answered that it had been
form that would require the President to
act upon them in ten days.
Since then more than four weeks have
passed. and it is asserted by the advocates
OF administrative action favorable to Cuba
this objection has been overcome by the
lapse of time. The President. it is urged
has had ample time to inform himself since
the houses acted, and joint resolution Is
now regarded by many Senators as a log.
zeal necessity of the situation.
Should 1t Pass.
Should the joint resolution pass and Their
receive the presidential sanction the grant.
ing Of beliigerent rights would follow as a
matter OF course. Should it be vetoed, how
ever. 1t would then require sixty votes In
the Senate and 23S in the House to give
1t the force Of law, for the Constitution re.
Iures that a bill passing over a veto shall
receive the assent of two-th.rds of the Sen.
ate and House. This does not mean two.
tnifdS or those voting, but of the entire
mousse. Inc concurrent resolutions passed
the Senate by vote of GA to 6, and in the
House there We're 2t3 yeas to II nays II
Is question whether a joint resolu ticu
would command as much strength.