The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-01-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
from oar reqhfGr Correspondent


WASHINGTON, DEC. %, 1896.
There is % probability that
the Independence nf Cuba will be
recognized by the L. s. during Presi
dent Clevelands administration than
there is Of Grover Cleveland becom
ing president 1T the Cuban republic,
and, unless Mckinley is misrepresen-
ted by republican who are supposed
10 enjoy his confidence, the present
policy will be continued by him until
there IS some Gecided Change IN Cuba.
The resolution for the independence
OF Cuba which has been reported 70
the Senate will, of course, be made
the basis Of A lot of speeches when
Congress ieussembles, but more of
them will be devoted to the claim of
the administration, that the Presi-
dent alone has the power to recognize
the Independence Of a nation, than to
Cuba or anything connected with the
unfortunate island. Whether a vote
on the resolution itself will be had be-
fore tn expiration Of this Congress is
"a matter Of doubt, but not of much
importance. aS it has already been
given out by republican leaders of the
House that the resolution will not be
allowed IL come before that body at
all. The constitutional question III
vnlved III the claim of the administra-
ti"ll Is an important one, and ore
upun which men who are regarded as
ahie lawyers differ regardless of poll
ties, and the debate upon it will De in
10 sense partisan. There is practl-
cally no precedent, though several
have been cited as having /, bearing
upon the claim And after all moth
ing short of Il decision of the T.. S.
Supreme Court will be accepted. as
settling it.
Senator Morgan, of Ala, has never
set UP for IA VIII, but if lie gets off a
few more flashes like his answer to
Senator Vests inqaiIy as to the mean
Ing of that clause. Of the Presidents
message dealing with the Pacific Rail
roads, he title will be forced upon
him. Mr.. Morgan was urging action
% piotect.tlIe people from those rail
roads, OF rather from the men WHO
control them. when Mr.. Vest made his
request. Turning lIke \ flash. the Ala.
sehator said VITA a deprecatory ges-
tnte: Nov IN all Egypt there was
Gully one, and he was diyinely inspi,ed
who could interpret the dream Of
Pharoai. The Senator ought not TO
ask me 20 interpret the Presidents
message. 1t any man is capable Of
interpreting the message it Is the
Senator from Missouri
Among the members of tine House
Ni" did not 60 home to spend their
are a number of republi-
cans who were To elected to the next
House, and who prefer to stand. their
Office seeking constituents off witt. let
fefs which do not commit them. in
stead of meeting them face to face and
being compelled to commit themselves
The lite postmastetships are especial
y troublesome to tho Representatives
eject on account of the numerous an
p~iicanfs for them. For instance. one
from New jersey has
among other applications for
|. single post office in his district, one
rom each of three men who were del
gates to the convention that nonina-
ed him and who took active pa,t IN
lis campaign.
The Government isn't expecting
var with Spain, but if war comes il is
to be as well prepared rs posi-
bic Tor 1T. A secret meeting Of higl,
laval officers was aeld in Washington
few days ago for the purpose of
repairing a complete programme, of.
enslve and defensive, that might be
AIRED Oh by our present navy if
here Should be War n ~al~aps .natice.~