The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-01-12
Declares That the Expediency OF Doing
So Belongs to Congress.
Strongly Criticises the President and
Secretary of State for Delay in
Taking Decided Action in Behalf OF
the Insurgents, and Comments
ScornfuIly on the Threats of For
eign Governments, NOre Particu-
larly Italy.

WASHINGTON. Jan. Ex-senator
Allison (R) of Iowa appeared in the
chamber to-day for the first time this
session, taking his seat just as Mills
CD of Texas was complimenting him
on his eminent qualifications for the
office of Secretary. of State in Mr. Nc
Kinley's Cabinet. Mr.. Allison smiled
benignly at the suggestion, but gave no
further sign as to how it conceded with
his own views.
A resolution on the subject of a vio-
lation of the eight-hour law on the part
of the contractors with the Navy De-
rartment on work in Brooklyn was the
subject of a resolution offered by Allen
P0p) of Nebraska
He was informed by Chandler (R.) of
Vermont, former Secretary of the
Navy, that the law only applied to
work done directly for the Government,
and not to work done under contract
The resolution went over until to-mor-
row.
The House bankruptcy bill was made
special order in the Senate for Mon
DAY, January 18th.
An argument was made by Proctor
R) of Vermont in favor of a proposed
constitutional amendment making the
Presidential term six years, and making
the President ineligible for reelection.
also making the terms of Representa-
tives in the lower house of Congress
three years.
The reasons given by Mr.. Proctor
were these: First-A longer Presiden-
tial term and ineligibility for re-elec-
ton are more in accord with the ideas
and purposes of the trainers of the
Constitution than is the present sys-
tenn, as it has developed practical re-
suits. Second-The proposed change is
not radical nor revolutionary, but is in
line Withstrua conservatism. Third
Re-el1g1 bility is wrong in theory and
vicious in practice, for it results in the
use of patronage of this office by the
PRESIDENT for the promotion of his
chances of reelection, or subjects him
TO the lmputation of such use Fourth
The change Will more thoroughly di-
Torce the legislative and executive
branches of the Government, which is
most strongly desired by the Congress
Sional end. <F'ifth-Even if the politi-
cal system was wise in the beginning.
the changed conditions, the growth of
the country in population, especially in
cities, the great increase In our terri
tory and the growing danger of sud
den popular revulsions. make the
change now desira bic. Sixth-Thereby
the business interests of the country
VIII be saved from such frequent dis
furbances and time and expense Incl
dent to campaigns will be proportion
ately reduced. Seventh-By leng4then-
ing the terms of Representatives to
three years laws viii be better consid-
cred, and Will have a longer and fairer
trial before their friends go out Of
power IN Congress.
At the conclusion of his remarks
Proctor moved that the resolution be
referred to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections. but as Stewart Pop) of
Nevada desired to speak ON the subject
the resolution was permitted to lie on
the table
Then the great feature of the days
session was begun with speech by
MIlls ODD of Texas in support of his
joint resolution introduced last Thurs
day. declaring that the expediency of
recognizing the independence of a new
Government belongs to Congress. rec
OCT lZing the Independence of the re-
Public Of Cuba and appropriating $40
600 for the salary of Minister to the
new republic.
Mills began his speech on the matter
at 1870 p. IN. with thirteen Democratic
Senator's and six Republicans in their
seats. He spoke without notes in the
hlgh-keyed voice natural to him. and
which it is 50 difficult to maintain in
a long continued address The CALLER
les were about half filed. Mills said:
"On the 18th of December last the
Scrate Committee on Foreign Relations
agreed to report a joint resolution rec
ognizing the independence of the repub-
lie Of Cuba. On the morning of the
10Th a statement was made by author
ity of the Secretary of State challang-
ing the authority of Congress to deal
with that question. / propose TO meet
this contention. 1t is an extraordinary
contention. and this is the second time
In the history of the republic that it has
been presented. When Il was first pre-
sented ii was met with a signal rebuke
and | doubt not that il will meet with
the same rebuke now. Where the dis
tinguished Secretary of State obtains
his authority 1 do not know
The Senator epitomized the course Of
affairs which led up to the recognition
OF the Spanish-American colonies by
President Monroe to show that the sub
ject was left to the discretion Of Con-
gress. He also gave history Of the
recognition Of the republic Of Texas,
In which President Jackson co-operated
with Congress. saying that the question
was one Of expedieney, and should be
left to Congress-
Gray Cd of Delaware read an addi-
tional sentence from the message of
President Jackson in relation to Texas
in these words: I'm this view. on the
ground OF expediency, / am disposed
TO concur; and I do not therefore con-
slider 1T necessary to express any opin-
ion as to the strict Constitutional right
of the executive"
Mills-The first sentence embraced
the whole text that it was a question
of expediency Mills proceeded with
his argument, and referred to the reso-