New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-02
American Pinch guns trained on the cities OF
the Spanish coast.
CANADA AND TIE SENATE.

The appointment by the Queen Of the British
members of the international commission 10 dls-
cuss questions at issue between the United
States and Canada brings sharply TO notice the
refusal OF the Senate Committee on Approprla-
lions to permit the President TO meet his prop
erly and constitutionally incurred obligations.
The commissioners on the part of Great Britain
are all eminent men, including a former Lore
High Chancellor Of England and the present
Canadian Premier The selection Of such men
To meet us Is not only compliment. but 1t Is
also an earnest of intention that the discussion
shall he on n high plane and characterized by
broad craftsmanship. and not be marred by any
pettv ATTEMPTS to give little local interests I'M
due weight as against the welfare OF the two
peoDIes as q whole 1t therefore behooves us to
meet them with n commission Of equal charac-
ter and like purpose. and the only thing when
stands in the way is the attempt Of certain Sen
ators TO usurp Executive functions by deprivihB
the President Of the means necessary for the OPP
Grafton Of his own Department. Congress could
with as much propriety refuse to appropriate
money for his secretary, or close the Executive
Mansion and rob him Of all chance TO transact
business as to use the power OF the purse 10
block his diplomatic negotiations.
But there Is much more important side to
the case than the invasion Of Presidential pre-
rogative This country Is engaged IN war Win
Spain and the President has been instructed 10
carry II on 10 success. His measures command
the instant acQulescence Of Congress, and oil op-
strncIonsts are made to feel the rising wrath or
n patriotic people that they should let partisan
or personal consideration serve the enemy. 10y
refusing appropriations Congress can ms surely
block war measures some of lis members may
not like ms diplomatic conferences, and one OBJ
struction Ia as unpairiotic as the other. Iiplo-
macy is inseparaby connected with waglng
a successful war Who would rejoice so much
as the Spanarts at news that the Americans
had broken faith with England and that Brit
ish statesmen were estranged from us and felt
injured or lnsulted? And is there any Senator
Of the United States who. In vague apprehen-
sion lest some Maine fishery or some California
transportation company might possibly have an
interest ut stake in prolonging the present an
moving status of Canadian relations. would per-
nit himself thus 10 serve Spain? II there he
one he could choose ne better way OF helping
Spain Indirectly than by holding up the Cana
dian conference appropriation. such an opera
lion docs not mean merely refusal TO ratify an
agreement. nor even preventing n prelimihar!
agreement being reached for discussion and rat
ification or rejection unpatriotic IA the latter
course would but IT means Offering to "A
friendly nation n wanton insult and giving ala
and comfort to the Spanish enemy.
This is no time for Senators 10 haggle ana ex-
act terms from the Executive rs the price or
permitting him 10 do the work intrusted To him
by the Constitution. and we think the American
reor. are In no mood to be- patient with men
WHO attempt to bind the commission TO any pol
~ with regard to any matter before permitting
II 10 meet The function OF the Senate Is 10 pass
upon completed treaty. amending II II IT so de-
sircs not TO dictate the scope of negotiation.
good objection against n trcnty can always u"
defended when ii comes ny for review. II II
only n bad one which has 10 b. made cieciiv"
nv indlrection and usurpnion.