Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-13
THE NEXT STEP
In the Cuban Resolutions Rests En-
tire|y With the President.
Various Conjectures as to What He Will Do
Excitement Subsiding.

was obviously with the insurgents but
some unexpected circumstances will be
necessary to again rouse the members
to action.
The most general expression of opin-
ior or both sides of the chamber ANas
that Congress had done it's duty in
adopting by an overwhelming vote. the
resolutions declaring that the. insur-
gents are entitled to belligerent rights.
Having done this and the matter Row
being in the hands of the President. ii
Nas deemed better to leave it there.
While not openly expressed. there
here was d tacit admission by many of
he conspicuous leaders that the House
would lie acting unfairly 10 the Presi-
lent in adopting Il joint resolution of
)elligerency which 1t would he manda -
DRY upon Kim to approve OF veto.
1t was not doubted that If a joint
resolution came before the House il
would pass, through by a majority
much less than that given the Senate
esolutionS, Il week ago. The belief was
expressed by members who would OPP
bose such q measure. that il could be
arried through the House over the
Residents veto.
one gentleman did not agree with his
associates as to the Presidents prob
lblc action. This was Mr. Hit of I'LL
lois. chairman of the House foreign af-
airs committee. who was prominent In
several Cuban debates Mr. Hit re
yarded it likely that President Cieve-
and would, within reasonable time.
issue proclamation recognizing the
oelligerency of the Cubans. tie did not
BASE his opinion upon any information
hat he has received.
Mr. Hit referred to the enormous
najorities with which the first resolli-
.ions passed the House. and said that
after Il month"; when every mcmbc 4
had had time to hear from his conetit-
uents. the resolutions again passed III
House by practically the same ma ior-
ty. He believed that if the President
had reasons aud facts fatal to the
spirit of the resolutions. he Nuuii have
communicated them Ia Cong,esS. 7 hr
President. he said was Il wise ana
prudent man. and the mere fact that
the resolutions were not joint resolI
tons, thus requiring his approval. did
not affect the case. They reflected pub
ic sentiment and the President vas
too sensible not to appreciate that cir.
'unlstance.'
AIr. Patterson of Tennessee 4 strong
administration man. said: Nv idea
5 that the action of Congress will re
suit in the President ana secretary
moving forward in the direction 90 II
,Olution of the problem. ami that The
President will either issue yroclarla~
ION or furnish reasons for not So duiue
nat viii be so plain that Congress ami
he people will acquiesce in his action
Mr.. Draper OF Massachusetts one IF
he Republican members of the for
ign affairs committee, who has con
inualiy deprecated any suggestion Of
1terfc renee in Cuban affairs, lid nc,
ielieve the President would lssue such
3 proclamation. and he did not thil X
t likely that Congress would act cur
her IN the matter If the President al
owed it to remain Ia allegiance.
WiIIianl Alden Smith of Michigan.
mother Republican member Of Tie
omm.ttoe. believed that Congress
holld pass a joint resolution if III
'residen, did rot act.
Il do not think Congress win take
'urther action on this subject" said
Ntildt'fi iittAt' VI NttA4it. W no W d. filf ~
he most determined opponents Of the
passage Of the resolutions in the Sen
tie. Congress has done all Il con-
istently can do in the matter. and i
ow rests with he President To act a.
10 may deem proper. No one IAN pre-
'ent the introduction into the Senate
# and or all sorts of resolutions, but
hey would only represent the individ
al OF inion OF the senator who intro
iuced them. and. if pushed 10 a Vot,.
ould not possibly pass.
Tho judicious effect of the delibcra-
ion in this body was manifested H.
he debate on the conference report
originally the Senate resolutions were
PASSED with an adverse vote Of but
six. bat when the conference report
vas Sent back to the committee. we
lad at least 81 senators who stood
'eady to vote against that report. ana
believe that after a little further dis
russion we would have beaten it on
test vote.
Whatever may happen. believe
that we have heard the last of thu
SraniGhCuban affair SO far as amy
action by Congress is concerned. and
it is best for all parties that such is
the case. The President will act as
seems best to him; but no attempt to-
pass q joint resolution could possibly
succeed. What the President may do
do rot know. but | have faith in his
ability to handle the subject in a fair
ma statesmanlike fashion
The future action of Congress de
ponds largely, if not entirely upon
events that transpire in Cuba" said