The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
WHAT THE PRESIDENT MAY DO.
The Resolution May. BE Returned
Without His APPROVAL.

WASHINGTON, April 16.-Members of the
administration are watching with much in
terest the progress of events at the Capltol.
No one, so far, has any clear idea of the
exact character of the resolution which Will
finally be adopted and sent to the Presi-
dent but there is a chance at least that the
resolution as it comes from the conference
committee may contain clause recognizing
the independence of the Cuban republic.
What action will be taken by the President
in that event cannot be stated with any de-
gree of certainty, but the indications are
that the resolution may be returned to Con-
gress without executive approval or allowed
to become law without his signature. The
right to recognize the independence of new
power, it is contended, under the Constitu-
ton, is clearly and cOncluSiVely the pr1V1-
lege of the President. This prerogatiVe, it
is asserted has never yet, in the history OF
the government, been waved or surrendered
by the executive to the legislative branch of
the government. Attention is called IN adj
ministration circles to the fact that in Janu-
ary,e 1877, Congress passed two joint resolu-
tionS, one relating to congratulations from
the Argentine republic and the other re
lating to congratulations from the republic
of Pretoria, South Africa" on the compile
ton of our first centennial of national in
dependence. Both of these resolutions were
returned to Congress by President Grant
without his approval, In his his; message re-
"Sympathizing, as l Go, in the spirit OF
courtesy and friendly recognition which has
1 cannot escape the conviction that their
adoption has inadvertently involved the ex-
ercise of a power which infringes on the
constitutional rights of the executive. =
The Constitution of the United States, fol-
lowing the established usage of nations, has
indicated the President as the agent to
represent the national sovereignty in it's
intercourse with foreign powers.
In concluding his message President Grant
said: 'As regards the resolution relating
to the republic of Pretoria, [ cannot learn
that any state or government of that name
exists
resolution to become a law without his sig
nature opinion is expressed in official circles
that the Objectionable part would be in
operative because unlawful under the Con-
stitution.
Representatives Grosvenor and Dingley
were in conference with the President to-
night. The visit of the former is understood
to have been with reference to the course
TO be pursued in the House on Monday
when the Cuban resolutions as passed by
when he left the President, stated he was
not certain to what form the resolutions
would take when they finally came up for
the Presidents approval or veto, and that
any prediction as to their ultimate form
just now would be mere speculation.
Representative Dingley had Il long confer
ence with the President over the necessary
war revenue legislation The Republicans
of the ways and means committee have al
ready blocked out Il Oil Eeduy 10 ne eX-
pedited in committee or in open House
whenever the necessity for immediate ac-
ton is made apparent. Some OF the pro-
visions already agreed on were reviewed in
a general way tonight and proposed addi-
tons discussed. What the result of the
conference was Mr.. Dingley declined to
state beyond the fact that the bill will not
be brought up in the ways and means COM
mittee next Monday. There will be other
conferences with the President and the
treasury authorities before the final touches
are given the measure.
The announcement of the action of the
Senate was read with great interest at the
Spanish legation tonight, but there was no
disposition to comment on 1t. While the
Spanish minister is preserving a discreet
reticence, it is known that he will remain
here until at least the resolutions of what
ever form they may ultimately be, are
signed by. the President.