The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-02-08
Mr.. Mills said:

Mt. President, on the 18th day OF Dccer
Der last the committee on foreign relation
agreed to report to the senate of th
United States Joint resolution recognize
ing the Independence Of the Republic G
Cuba. on the morning OF the 10th Of DE-
cember a statement was given to the publ
press by authority OF the secretary OF stat
challenging the authority Of the conyros
OF tho United States to deal with that quer
tion. He stated that in order to allay mis-
apprehension and Injurious results tina
might follow at homo and abroad h,
thought 1t his duty to announce to thu
world that the president had the "excil
siye" right to deal with tho question Of thu
recognition of foreign State. aud that !
both houses Of congress should pass Il Join
resolution recognizing the Independence q
foreign state, and 1t should be vetoed Dl
tho president and then be passed b. a two
thirds majority over the Presidents veto
tho law would be imperative ana OF no II
feet.
propose to meet that contention I, 1.
an extraordinary contention. and this Is Tho
second tmu In the history OF the Repubiil
that 1t has been presented when VI WIS
first presented Il met with a signal rcbui,e
by the congress OF the United Statcs, aud
doubt not 1t will meet with the sqluo ~
buke now. Where the dlslinsuishcd sec-
rotary obtains his authority 1 knor not.
Tho consrens Of the United States and chs
executive department are both the ciou-
ttns Of the constitution. Whatever nu-
thority the president and The secretary Of
slate have comss from the words OF that
great charter, either by an express pro-
vision or by just and necessary impiica-
ton from an express provision.
Tho constitution Of the United States
gives the president the power to appoint al
ambassador to a foreign government. hu,
the foreign government must exist before
the president con appoint al Ambassador
or a minister. The constitution gives the
president power 10 appoint to an office,
Tut the office must be created before the
president can appoint and the power to
create an office in this government is vest
cd In the legislative department Ut the gov
eminent, und 80 far as tie relations OF the
PEOPLE ~ the United States aro concerned,
the power 10 create a foreign government
sta with the congrcss Of tho taittd states
for the power to recognize It's existence Is
the power 10 create our relations with n.
will not stop. Mr. President. further to
discuss the constitutional provisions. but
VIII deal with some of the preccdcnts that
have been made for us by the illustrloua
men who have gone before MS. The secre-
tIry says that 1t Is nm exclusive right"
ard power Of the PRECEDENT. and the presi-
dent atoue and in order Ia aIlay .listurb-
ances abroad and IN the United states he
feels constrained to say to all The world
Il at the congress OF the United states has
70 power to deal with this question, This
Is a most remarkable statement. The grsat
respect | have for the secretary uersouoii,
and for his hlrh position and inc resDect
have Tor hs chief. and tho high station he
fins. forbid me to say more lie has his
duty ia perform and have mine. and how
ever high hls station will not refrain from
criticising him whom In my Judgment he
has gone beyond the boundaries nrsl.uel
him Is tho constitution and laws uf tnc
United states
In 1870 after tho rroy,uo,- N, er,f, ~,
this hemisphere had he-1 ln rroclt 1hrgf
twelve ycau. the houre of rcproscntsaNes
callcd rpon PrcaiGent Monroe for inf0r,ne
ton, II any existed in the department. u
state. Ia reference to the coadltou of those
provinces. whether they were rrily 10 be
admitted ln,7 uhr family " uafiona pTcs,-
Cent Moufoe eit not sag - The convttss.
This IS more Q your business this ~ ny