Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-05-20
THE WISE COURSE ON CUBA.

Philadelphia Press.l
The debate of Tuesday on the Cuban
resolutions gives,a hopeful and gratifying
indication that the Senate will deal with
the subject in practical and rational way.
1t shows the wholesome effect of having
an Administration and a Senate which have
mutual confidence and which can work
together.
When Mr.. Cleveland was President there
was no consultation and no cooperation.
The Administration followed one policy
and the Senate another. Neither knew or
influenced what the other was doing. The
Executive conducts the foreign relations
of the country, but Congress, and especially
the Senate, has and ought to have potent
voice in determining its foreign policy,
The execution Of the nations will, how
ever, whether declared by Congress or by
the President, must devolve on the
Administration, and there ought to be
free conference and full understanding.
There was nothing of the kind when Mr..
Cleveland was President This was
peculiarly true in dealing with the Cuban
question. The result was that Congress
was making declarations in one direction
and the President was moving in another
Each acted independently, and not only
independently oppositely. Congress ex-
pressed itself unreserved on the side Of the
Cuban patriots and the President acted on
the other side. The gratifying feature Of
the debate in the Senate on
Tuesday was the evidence it furnished Of
restoration of the just attitude of the
President and Senate towards each other.
The Presidents policy was freely made
known to the Senate and the Senate wisely
deferred to the President as the head of
that branch of the Government which
conducts our foreign relations.
The resolutions on Cuban belligerency
ought not to be passed at this stage.
1t would be folly for Congress to keep on
making futile declarations. 1t sufiiciently
declared its sympathy last year. There is
no occasion for any further utterance until
it shall be associated with the appropriate
action which the situation may require or
justify, and that action must be taken, if
taken at all, by the Executive. Senator
Foraker's judicious words summed up the
true course. The President, he explained,
had undertaken to possess himself ofall the
facts essential to guide his judgment, by
sending a special commissioner TO make
full inquiry. While that inquiry was
proceeding and before the President was
ready to reach a conclusion it would be
premature and unwise for the Senate to
make any expression.
Senator Morrill,, Senator Lodge and others
concurred in this view, and the general
trend of the debate indicated that it would
prevail. The Senate is willing to trust the
good judgement and good faith of the
President, and the President in turn treats
the Senate as entitled to full consideration
and respect. Yesterday Senator Davis,
Chairman of the Committe on Foreign
Relations, and Senators Foraker and Nor
gan, who are members of the Committee.
Mr., Morgan being the author of the
pending Cuban resolutions-were at the
White House in consultation with the
President. This conference foreshadows
a complete understanding and indicates
the counsel and cooperation which ought
to exist between the President and the
Senate in directing our foreign policy