The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELAY.

Those men in Congress who have been
denouncing the delay of the President and
demanding an opportunity to act have been
wasting days in the Senate in an altogether
unnecessary debate. if the most of the talk
can be thus digniied. The contention is
over the recognition Of the present alleged
government of Cuba, which is clearly a
function of the executive and not of Con-
gress. Such contention is made in spite of
the Constitution and against the judgment
of those whose opinions should have weight,
such men, for instance, as Consul General
Lee who has had better opportunities of
information than any man who advocates
that policy. 1t is believed that if the mat
ter could be presented to the same number
of men that the Senate contains, without
political considerations, the alleged repub-
lie of Cuba would not be recognized Such
is not the case; the ultra silver element
in the Senate has seized upon the difference
of opinion and is attempting to make the
decision turn to the advantage of the silver
mine owners. Instead of debating the prop
osition, the Turner's and the Pettigrews
have been permitted to assail the President
by imputing to him all sorts of unworthy
using his influence in behalf of recognition,
and he seems to have much more weight
with many Southern senator's than has
Democrat like General Fitzhugh Lee. 1t
now seems probable that the Senate will
adopt resolutions so at variance with those
of the House that a conference committee
will be necessary to insure agreement upon
a measure which can be passed and pre-
scented to the President. All this delay is
being caused by those congressman who
were holding a stop watch upon the Pres
ident for two weeks before his message was
sent to the Congress. 1t was agreed on
Thursday morning that resolutions declar-
ing for immediate Intervention should be
adopted that day. Had this been done they
would have been approved by the President
and an ultimatum sent to Spain. THE war
can wait" said Mr.. Daniel, of Virginia, on
Friday. Yes, but while declaration waits,
now that we are in for it, coal and supplies
are being shipped from our ports for the
use of the Spaniards in Cuba.
The President, seeing that Congress is in
favor of immediate intervention by force,
and approaching the immense Importance
Of prompt action, has indicated a purpose
not 10 veto the resolutions should they rec
ognize the present government in Cuba for
the reason that a veto would further delay
that action which the declaration of Con-
gress has made imperative. Instead of a
veto, he will in an hour sign the resolu-
lions and send with them message to Con-
gress informing it that the recognition of
governments is an executive function un-
der the Constitution. and that In this mat
ter he will stand upon the Constitution and
exercise the prerogatives of his office. In
other words, he will not recognize the pres
ent government OF Cuba until he is salts
fed that it will receive the support of a
majority of the Cubans and other residents
of the island.
In this matter 1t seems that the President
is right and that he should receive the sup
port of all citizens who can consider the
Spanish crisis apart from partisan infiu-
ences.