The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-10
SEATTLE. SUNDAY. JAN. TO-
THE RIGHT OF RECOGNITION.


dependence OF a new state has brought
CUT q very interesting letter from Mr..
". c. Sharpstein and n no less interest
iag reply from the Tacoma News. The
News has the best OF the argument as 70
the powers OF congress and of the pres
ident. bat Mr sharpsteln makes out a
strong case tn favor OF leaving 20 the
president. az a matter OF good policy, the
ultimate decision.
some very pertinent precedents are
cited by ar. sharpsteln. They do not
bear out the claim. attributed 10 Seere-
nry olney. that the president has the
constitutional power 20 act Independently
OF congress or 20 ignore its win as ex-
pressed by joint resolution passed over
mis- veto. bat they form close parallels TO
the present situation so lar as the entire
question o. recognition IS concerned AT
a time when there Was considerable agi-
tatlon on The subject OF recognizing the
nexly-revolt American colonies, Pres
ident Monroe sent a message 70 congress,
In which he said that the present &C
Acknowledgement OF the government OF
Ia Plata Is deemed by the presi-
dent as anexpedient." Thereupon Hen
rs Clay. on November 2, 1915. offered
in the house an amendment 10 the ap-
preparation bid FOR an outfit and one
years salary OF minister 20 the United
Provinces or the River Plata, the outfit
20 be paid and the salary TO commence
whenever the president shall deem it ex-
psdient to send a minister to the govern
ment Of said provinces"
This was voted down and a very de-
eided stand was taken by the house that
recognition was an executive act, by the
adoption OF the following resolutions
'@rAe constitution grants to the presi-
dent. By and with the consent OF the SEN
ate, power TO appoint ambassadors and
public ministers and TO make treaties.
II Is by the exercise Of some one OF these
powers. in neither OF which has this house
any participation. that a foreign power
must ne Acknowledged Then the ao-
acknowledgement OF the Independence OF a
new power Is an exercise OF executive
authority; consequently for congress to
direct the executive how he shall exercise
This power Is en- act OF usurpation."
Clay himself in a later speech took a
view which will be generally accepted now
as in harmony with the intention OF the
constitution and as the safest policy. He
said. with respect to the mode OF rec
ogniaon OF foreign powers he concluded
4 - a
the power. but THAI the most regular.
ordinary and usual course was by the
executive. and II was therefors proper
TO assure HIM OF the support OF the
house"
The senate ana the house IN 1885 passed
separate resolutions 20 the effect that
The Independence Of Texas ought TO be
acknowledged hy the United States when
ever satisfactory informs tlon has been re-
eslvsa that it has in successful operation
e civil government capable Of performing
the duties and fulfilling the Obligations
OF an Independent power" President
jackson sene message 10 congress IN
which ne referred 20 the resolutions. and
Informed congress that In hts Judgment
the time was not ripe for the recognition
az Texas.
In the course Of his message he said
that ne ala not consider Il necessary 70
express any opinion rs 20 the strict con-
sti,utlonsl right OF the executive. either
apart ar IN conjunccon with the senate.
over the suoiecL II s. 70 De presumed
that ca no future occasion viii dispute
arise. as naae hss heretofore occurred.
between the executive and the lesisla-
ture in tire exercise Of tho power 81 recoc-
vton It viii always bs considered con-
sstsnt with The spirit o. the constltu-
u7a. and most safe. that it should be ex-
elc'ses when probably leading 70 war.
vfth ntavfous understanding with that
body sy vhon var car alone Re declared.
and ~ whon all the provisions for sus-
,slrinx So p~rils mast .. furnished"
Secretary Seward Is also quoted ss hsy-
iag wrtttea 20 Minister Dayton. socred-
issa - France. hat the question o, rec
oEuiuon 81 foreign revolutionary Or re
dictionary severnuasuts Il che exclusively
for THE executive. aad cannot he deter
rfs1sa internationally ~ congressional
actien"
Commenting upon shsss citations. ;ss
News naintsius that ~ president sas
ever asserted TIE exclusive prsrerativ
sa8 ssls 81 spp&rsnty true. Tas coasti-
9stAaa SOS roe specifically deaf WITH tsa
stfsct. sua as intention can only - de-
tsFuasnaa ~ reasonable -Cons tructtoz..
Monroe sal8 OF cisily that ;t woG33 Always
- Ne rcr congress % se kept Informed
~ tae president before such a serious
Sep vas t2hsa. ana hat thers sheui5 ~
= e,1G nnders snsgug between the president
sea 'tha, bety ~ whom var can slecs
he dsc'afe3 al 6y vAon az TIE provls-
tgas Tor sustaining - rsrls must es FAR.
uisaca"
We 1a8 een1raat,oa n both erxa-
naeHts - ths position Ne taok o. The sah-
sas, st an s4r3y stage or she controversy.
tha3 tae PRECEDENT does rot possess ire
exclusive r.sht 20 determine whea ra1aE-
nitcn saaI ae sua4e. oet taRr congress-
has a}Ways vseSsg Deferred 70 Ais Suss-
-zsnt he shoa9 be laa Judge % re pesscy
81 Aa4 sAs sssz1.sasasAs CO sin.s ser tie