New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-19
WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, March l8.-The Senate. in
executive session, ratified the Sandwich
Island treaty, and confirmed Wyman, as.
sistant treasurer.
The Debate on tho Treaty.
The Senate was occupied over four hours
in executive session this afternoon on the
Hawaiian reciprocity treaty. Senator Sher-
man. of Ohio, was the first speaker and Op-
posed the ratification on financial grounds,
arguing that the loss of the customs reve.
nue. Involved therein would more than
couIterbalance the political consideration
advanced in its favor.
Senator Booth, Of California, also spoke
in opposition to the treaty. He cOntended
that it would not cheaper the price Of sugar,
as only some $4,000, 900 pounds are now i'm.
ported annually from the Sandwich Islands,
but would cause considerable loss to the
revenue: a loss that would grow larger from
year to year with the increase in the pro.
ductiou of the Sandwich Islands sugar,
which is to be expected under the stimulus
of the protection for the planters. He also
argued that the ratification of the treaty
would affect California sugar refiners in
juriously by admitting high grades Of brown
sugar to compete with the refined article.
He also believed that the ratification of the
treaty would lead to difficulties and compli-
cations with foreign governmental.
Senator Boutwell,, Of Massachusetts,, next
took the floor and supported the treaty on
national grounds. When the Secretary of
the Treasury thoroughly examined the sub
ject, and found that there could not
be a loss to the revenue Of more
than 100000 by its ratification, but
as a compensation for this goods of
equal aggregate value would be admit
ted free in the Hawaiian ports, and besides,
the Hawaiians, exporting their products to
the United States, would take their pay.
ments in goods instead Of money.
Senators Frelinghuysen. Of New Jersey,
and Bogy, OF Missouri, also supported the
treaty.
Senator Jones, of Nevada, also advocated
ratification in a short but earnest sreech,
setting forth both the commercial and the
political benefits offered to the United
States by this treaty.
Senator Sargent, OF California, closed
the debate. He showed the necessity of
taking advantage of the present proposition
if this country wished to obtain control of
the Sandwich Islands and prevent their
passing into the grasp of foreign nations,
as Overtures had already been made to the
MES Of Great Britain for similar reciprO-
city arrangement, which the necessities of
the islanders would certainly compel them
to accept if we rejected their pending offer
to make reciprocity treaty with ourselves.
He admitted that it would not cheaper the
price of refined sugar, but insisted that it
would lessen the cost of the sugar which is
used on the poor mans table and in the
mining camps of the Pacific coast.
Replying to an argument advanced by
Senator Booth that I'VE were not likely to
need the Sandwich Islands for purposes of
defense or naval operations, as this country
had never had but three years Of foreign
war;" Senator Sargent said this argument
might as well be used to advocate the dis.
Inantling Of our Notifications and the ahan-
donment of our navy. He insisted that the
Sandwich Islands are OF the utmost value,
not only as coaling and naval stations, but
as point Of strategic Importance. COM
manding the entire commerce. of the United
States on the Pacific Ocean. The vote was
then taken on the amendments proposed
by the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
adding tobacco, leather and all manufac-
lures of leather to the list of articles of
American production, or manufacture to be
admitted to the Hawaiian Islands, duty
free; also providing that curing the PEN
dency Of the treaty the Hawaiian govern
ment shall not ceds or lease any port, bay or
naval station to any foreign government,
except that Of the United States, or
grant any special privileges to. any
foreign nation which is not now
granted. The amendments were agreed
to, as was also an amendment proposed by
Senator Sargent, striking out the word
''fruit" from the list Of Hawaiian products
to be admitted free of duty in the United
States and merely substituting the word
bananas" The object of this amendment
was the protection of oranges and other
semi-trOpical products of California.
The treaty thus amended was them rati-
fed by vote of 81 yeas to IL nays. The
majority was larger than was anticipated,
a number Of votes having been gained
during the debate.
Republican Caucus.
The Republicans caucused this morning
over the resolution recognizing Kellogg,
with no result. The caucus met again this
afternoon, and again adjourned without
definite action.
The Caucus on Louisiana Matters.
The Republican Senators held an ad.
journed caucus meeting this afternoon, to
consider whether tthey should act upon
the resolution Of Senator FrelipRhuysen,
That the Senate approves the
action heretofore taken by the President of
the United States in protecting Louisiana
from domestic violence, and are of opinion
State the existing government.
The caucus adjourned without coming to
a conclusion, but will hold another meeting
tomorrow morning. While some Of the
who spoke justified the President
for what he had done in Louisiana affairs
and were willing to vote for the resolution
in the Senate, Others could not give their
support to it in its present form; in fact
they doubted the propriety of further
agitating the subject as a compromise
was pending which promised to res
tore peace to both parties in that
State. Besides, the formal CONFEDERATION
of the resolution would prolong the present