The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-13
MASON FOR " Ar.

United States be empowered and directed
to take at once such steps as may be
necessary to put az end to hostilities in
the Island of Cuba, and to secure to the
| inhabitants of that island a stable and in
dependent Republican form of govern
ment, and the President OF the United
States is empowered and directed to use
if necessary, the land ami naval forces Of
the United States to make joint resolu-
ton effective.
At Mr. Wilson'S request the resolution
was referred to the foreign relations COM
mittee.
Following this came resolution from
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska. 1t was as follows:
That state of war exists between the
United States of America and the King
dom of Spain and that the present exist
ence and national independence of the
Republic of Cuba, now, and for some
time main tanned by force of arms, is
hereby recognized. That the President is
empowered and directed to at once take
such etfectual steps as may be necessary
to secure the immediate termination OF
hostilities in Cuba, and an independent
and stable government by the people
thereof and to enable him to carry out
the purpose of this resolution he is hereby
empowered and directed to use the land
and naval forces of the United States.
The resolution went over under the
rules.
Mr. Pasco of Florida presented joint
resolution, directing the PRESIDENT to use,
not to exceed 5000 of the funds approprl-
ated by Congress to relieve American cit1-
zens in Cuba for the relief of American
citizens and others who have recently
landed in Florida from Cuba.
He explained that while the citizens of
Florida were doing all in their power to
assist the refugees their means We're
IL lr1ti
Mr.. Pettus of Alabama presented q
legal argument upon the authority of
Congress and the President under the
Constitution in declaring and prosecuting
a war
He said that those constitutional limlta-
tions were ancient landmarks which our
fathers have set. He pointed out that this
government was not monarchy in which
| the President might intervene or use tne
army and navy at his will to make war.
AS Congress alone has power to declare
war it also has power to limit it. Con
gress has no authority to delegate TINS
power to the President or rny other
| officer. If war is to be waged, Congress
must order what shall be the nature or
the war declared and as commanders IN
| chief of the army and navy, the President
must carry on the war as directed Dy
| Congress andyin no other way: 1t would
not be within it's limitations for Congress
| to confer upon the President authority 10
wage war at his discretion.
When Mr.. Pettus had concluded Mr.
Allen endea vored to secure the passage OF
| bill just received from tho House 10
| this Mr. Mason, who had announced MS
speech on The Cuban situation objected:
| Mr.. Lindsay of Kentucky, gave noSlce
| that he would tomorrow address tLe 0en-
ate upon his resolution. 80,
! Mr. Mason then proceeded WIN MS
speech. He had prepared it carefully and
confined himself closely to his manu-
scriut. His speech was legal argument
| in favor of the recognition by this govern
ment of the independence of the cuban
Republic. Mr.. Mason WAS accorded close
attention by the Senators. Mr. Mason
said:
| .tAs before announced to you in
language which could not be m1sunder
stood, ! am for war and have been since
| the hour our flag was lowered in Havana
harbor and the lives OF our cltlzens taken
| by the government OF Spain.
| IT have no desire to destroy the Spanish
! nation. but her flag must be dishonored
by surrendering her sovereignty over
| Cuban territory as an atonement for
| lowe ring our flag. sinking our shin, and
| numbering our men. But while I am for
war I stand ready in this hour to uphold
| the hands of the executive and take the
best / can get. have been ipdulging in
| a hope that the executive would recon-
mend intervention and Independence to
the Cuban republic. Intervention by
| force of arms as recommended by the
President, is war. The declaration for in
| tervention without declaring directly,
openly for war seems to lack frankuess
and savors too much OF Spanish diplo