Evening star., 1896-12-22
PRESIDENTS POWER
This Question Now 0vershadows
That of Cuba.
IT WILL Be THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED
The Feeling in the Senate on the
Subject.
MR.. OLNEY'S COURS E

The question of whether the President
has paramount power in dealing with for
eign nations has overshadowed the Cuban
question in Congress. The belief is general
that no resolution recognizing the inde-
pendence of Cuba can be got through Con-
gress, though a large majority of both
houses are in favor of such action. A large
crowd was in attendance at the session of
the Senate today, in expectation that Mr..
Vest would attack the administration, but
| he failed to take the floor. The whole ques-
ton will go over until after the holiday
| recess, and then is liable to come up in the
form of an attack upon the assumption of
| authority on the part of the President.
Feeling of Many Senator's.
Many who have no especial sympathy
| with the Cubans are greatly-disturbed over
| the suggestion that there is any inherent
power in the President which is superior to
the law-making power vested in Congress
| when voting by two-thirds majority. 1t
is generally insisted that though certain
powers are delegated to the President with
out the obligation Of directly obtaining the
consent of Congress, in dealing with for
eign governments yet that the will of two
thirds of Congress is binding upon the
President in such matters. as well as in
matters relating to domestic affairs. 1t is
held that while the President may grant or
refuse recognition when sought at his
hands when there has been no action by
Congress, that this discretion may be taksn
from him by the superior power of law
when 1t directs that certain thing be done.
This is regarded as question involving
the very principles of popular government,
and some of the strongest men in both
houses of Congress are determined to fight
the matter out to a finish. From present
indications 1t appears that much of the
session will
be consumed in an attack upon the as
sumption of authority by the President.
What the Senate Would Like to Do.
If it lay with the Senate to institute i'm
peachment proceedings there can hardly be
a doubt that articles of Impeachment would
be drawn up against Mr.. Olney if it should
be disclosed that he discredted the power
of Congress In any sort of communication
to Spain. Such a course on his part is
spoken. of as not short of treason, and the
1eellng against him Is increased by the
comments in Spain upon the weakness and
inability of Congress to do anything con-
trary TO the will of the executive Mr.. Oh
ney's course is regarded by many as a de-
l:berate attempt to cast reproach upon Con-
gress Before the world. AS soon as Con-
gress reconvenes the matter is expected to
pc brought up for action. Impeachment
proceedings would have TO be initiated in
the House. There the influence of the
leaders will be against any such action.
and 1t is, therefore, improbable that the
f1rst step necessary to action by the Senate
VIII De taken The only thing left the SeII-
ate to do is to deal with the matter in reso-
lutions Of censure.
Senators Vest and Hill.
Il don't KNOW" said Senator Vest. chow
the impression got out that l would speak
today. ] never said that 1 would
Il certainly can't reply to Senator Vest if
he dOeS-nOt sneak - said Senator Hill
The Senate became aware of this condi-
tion of affairs early in the day, but the gal
leries remained in ignorance during a great
part of the session. many retaining their
seats in the belief that they would be re-
galed with such a debate as the present ses-
sion has not witnessed. The diplomatic
and private galleries of Senator's were both
we'll filled.
1t appears that the misapprehension as
10 senator vests intentions grew out of the
fact that he had said that he would "call
up" the resolution today He had said
nothing of any intention to make a speech,
but every one rushed to the conclusion that
he could have no other purpose in getting
IT up. The opponents of the Cuban resolu-
tions conclude that the Missouri Senators
failure to talk is due to the fact that he
has been induced to look into authorities
which do not sustain his view of the gues-
ton, and that he has concluded to investi-
gate further before speaking. The Gues-
| tion is one requiring close attention to prece-
dents and to constitutional points, and all
| recognize that it is necessary to proceed
with care.
| Senators agreed generally that if Vest
and Hill did not speak the entire Cuban
| question should go over until after the holi-
| days
We've got them beat" said Senator
Hale, sententiously. He spoke for the anti
Cubanites.
"On voteo" was asked.
The replV was in the M firm tive