The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-01-01
Washington Letter.
EFrom our regular Correspondent


overlooked in the wrangle that is
likely to follow the extraordinary
position taken by Secretary Olney,
that Congress has nothing to do with
the recognition of new state, the
power being vested In the President
alone Mr. Olney first publicly took
this position in discussion with the
Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, before that committee had de-
eided to report the Cameron resolution
for the recognition of the independence
of Cuba After. the Committee had
decided to report the resolution today
Mr. Olney went a great deal further,
by making a statement through the
Press Associations saying in effect
that the President would vteo the
resolution if it was adopted and that
even if it were then readopted by the
constitutional two-thirds of both
branches of Congress he would ignore
it and treat it simply as the personal
opinions of those who voted for it.
II it were not that this administration
had such short time to run there
is reason to believe that If Mr.. Cleve-
land dared to maintain this position,
the country would see another i'm
peachment trial in the U. S. Senate,
and even as it is it may lead to serious
trouble. This question is higher than
party politics or than the Cuban
question. If the President has the
constitutional right to override two
thirds Of Congress, which may be con-
sldered as fairly representative of the
people, knew it !, in order that this
enormous power, greater than possessed
by the crowned heads of most of the
worlds limited monarchies, may be
curtailed by constitutional amend
ment before some unscrupulous Presi-
dent uses it to destroy our Govern
ment.
1t is hardly probable, however. that
this question will get before the u. S.
Court for settlement in con-
nection with the Cameron resolution,
for the very simple reason that the
Congress, notwithstanding it's having
received the endorsement of the Senate
Foreign Committee: The resolution
will almost certainly be adopted by
the Senate, probably by more than
two-thirds vote, if it be seriously pushed
that far, but if expressions OF leaders
OF the House count for anything, it
will never reach a vote in that body.
Gen. Henderson, of Iowa, voiced this
sentiment when he said eve are not
going 80 have war. The Cameron
resolution has not passed, and I don't
believe IN encouraging this war talk.
We have had enough agitation already
and we don't want our business
interests again interrupted by talk of
war or by actual war" 1t is the i'm
preston in Washington that by the
time Congress reassembles, the country
will have made it so plain that it want
neither war nor a war scare that the
resolution will not be pushed.
1t Was brought out by questions of
Senators during Secretary Olney,s
attempt to persuade the
Senate Committee into following Mr..
Cleveland's policy towards Cuba that
the administration has received much
credit to which it was not entitled, by
rersons OF misstatements IN the news
paper as to demands it has from time
to time made on Spain in behalf of
American citizens. For instances,
Secretary Olney admitted that this
Government had made no demand
upon Spain in the case of the alleged
fillbuster Competitor, and others of
similar character, beyond mere
requests for information. This will
doubtless greatly shock the Individuals
who only a short time ago stopped
over to the extent OF writing COM
munications to the papers advocating
Olney's appointment as President Nc
Kinley's Secretary of State, because Of
his intense Americanism. HIS intense
Americanism" seems te be, like Ii
Hung Chang's conversation. mostly
interrogation points
Among the bills passed by the House
was one appropriating 100000, for
Government participation IN the
Tennessee Centennial to be held at
Nashville next year and $50, 600 for
a Federal building for the exhibit,
and an Emergency Deficiency Bill ap-
propriating nearly $500 900 for the
completion of Naval work now under
way. A resolution was also adopted
giving the four days beginning JAM
7th to the consideration of the Pacific
Railroad Funding Bill The holiday
recess viii be from Dec. g. to jan 5,
and many Senators and Representatives