The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-04-22
CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT.

CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT.
We must adhere to constitutional
safeguards. There is a tendency in
some quarters to resent the suspicious
cast upon the president, by the minor
ity in the house and the majority in
the senate, as TO, his intentions toward
the Cubans. 1t is held by administra-
ton republicans that, like Caesars
wife, Mckinley is above suspicion"
If he, or an angel from heaven, we're as
holy as they claim, with ambrosia upon
his locks and an aura about his head,
it would be no reason for clothing him
with demonstrations powers, as the
house resolution proposed to do.
But let US see, as to McKinley's i'm
peccability. They say he is a Method
ist and says his prayers. But it is not
uncommon for men 'to steal the livery
of heaven to serve the devil in This
is no guarantee, the Methodist believe
a man may bIackslide, and Jesus said
that there were those "who devOured
widows houses, and, for a Pretense,
made long prayers" He gave US
a safe criterion, however: by their
fruits ye shall know them" Let Us
apply the measure to this case.
Mckinley while a member of the
house, in 1873, voted for the Stanley
Mathews resolution declaring the
bonds of this government payable in
silver or gold at the option of the gov
eminent. In his first message to con-
gress he declared that all the Obliga-
tiOns Of the government were payable
in gold alone. In his speech at the
bankers banquet in New York city he
took substantially the same ground.
The Teller resolution refuted that as
sumption and re-affirmed the Stanley
Mathews resolution, which is the law
IN the case. Now Mr.. Mckinley knew
ss-weII as any one that the bonds we're
payable in "coiD,' silver or gold, at the
option Of the government. He knew
that on the bonds themselves this con-
dition was printed, he having helped
to place it there. Yet he assumes to
adopt a policy in conformation Of ex-
press statute, to defy the will Of the
people, and to set at naUght the deere
Of the law-making branch Of our gov
eminent He had taken a solemn and
binding oath to execute the law, and
then proclaims his purpose to ignore
and defy it. He knew that the previ-
Gus administration sought authority
to make that latest bond issue payable
in gold, and that congress had refused
it. He knew that the policy he pro
posed was unlawful, unjust, and added
TO the burdens Of the people to the en-
riohment Of the bondholders. Is it
any wonder that millions Of the people
Of this country are suspicious Of Mr..
McKinley's intentions toward the peo-
pie Of Cuba
Besides this, the house Cuban res
olution sought to confer on the pres
ident unusual and unconstitutional
power. Congress is the only wsr-mak-
ing and treaty-making power. 1t is
true, the president can veto q joint
resolution Of congress; but congress
can pass it over hisveto by a two-thirds
vote, whereas, he has no power to null
lily 3 twO-thirds majority vote Of con-
gress. The house resolution proposed
to give the president power ato estab-
Hsh an independent government in
Cuba"
This country is to be congratulated
that this resolution did not pass the
senate, for If it had it would have been
equivalent to making him dictator" Of
the terms Of the Cuban settlement.
There are many people who believe
that the terms Of the house resolution
bore the earmarks Of the Vaccinations
Of the money power and we're framed in
the interest Of the payment, in part or
in tall, Of the Spanish bonds, By the
Cubans, as the condition Of their in
dependence. The-senate resolution was
q recognition Of the independence Of
the Cuban republic, and it cut the
GOrdian not Of the whole controversy,
and prevented 3 possible scandal
The president is the executive head
OF the federal government, but has no
discretion, outside Of his veto power,
in carrying out the VIII Of the people as
expressed by their Representatives
IN the national legislature The vote
on the Cuban resolution in the senate
was dscfsiTe-67 to 2I-and With this
ms5ority we're many republicans. who
felt compelled TO support the measure
even in opposition 50 the sentiment Of
President McKinisy's message
The house resolution WIS passed o.