The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-08-30
The Debate on the final passage of
the Treaty.

(From the Alta.)
When the Hawaiian bill came up. Norwood of
Georgia continued his remarks against IT. He mr.
gued that there is no inducement for acquiring the
Hawaiian Islands as outpost in the Pacific Ocean.
1t had been asserted that the population Of the Is
lands had been rapidly decreasing, and if the Bill is
passed the Islands would naturally fall into hands
He denied that the alleged decrease of population
of the per centum claimed and said that il it
was at that rate it would take fourteen years, with
the present population of 40 O00 to dwindle down
so 200. He quoted from the book of NordhOf at
length to show the condition Of affairs 10 the Hawaii
an Islands, and argued that the production Of sugar
there was weighed down with difficulties which did
not exist any where else. lie said i; the
markable thing he had ever heard of, that the King
of country with which treaty had been negotiated,
had Minister here urging the passage of the cas-
ure, which that Minister argued would be the destruc
ton of the kingdom be represented. He argued that
this measure urged by the Hawaiian government
for pecuniary advantage. That country would reap
the benefit Of the bill, should it be passed and the
United States would be the sufferers In bis opinion
King kalakaua had far more State craft than the Uni
ted States and he knew that the passage of the bill
would be a benefit the Kingdom. The effect of the
bill would be to give to the Hawaiian Islands bonus
81 goo 900 year, and it would increase the diff
cutes in the way of their being acquired by the Uni
were on the increase. COOlie labor was Increasing;
and suppose the United States should acquire them,
it would only get Of Chinese coolies and half
breeds. Tue people Of his section interes
ted in the defeat Of the bill than al Of the rest Of the
United States besides. To take the duty off rice
would be to diminish its price below the cost Of pro-
ductiOn iu this country, and 100000 people de-
pendent the production Of rice in South Carolina
Georgia and Louisiana, and the interests of all the
people would be injured by the passage of the bill.
Morrill, Of Vermont, then addressed the Senate in
opposition to the bill, and said that it had been
gued by the Senator from California (Sargent] that
there something of honor involved in its passage
~ the present time, account Of the previous ra-
cation of the treaty lie MORRILL, held that the SEN
ate was independent of the Executive. il of the
House, and in this treaty it expressly provided
that it should not go into effect until the necessary
legislation passed Congress to carry it into effect lie
argued that the passage Of the bill would disas
truusly upon the production Of sugar and rice in the
South, and he would do nothing to strike down the
interests of Southern brethren. Instead Of dis
couaging the growth Of sugar in the SOUTH Congress
should, by every possible means, encourage it. lie
thought this might be considered one Of the worst
bargains ever presented to the American Senate.
Hitchcock moved to lay aside the pending business
and up the resolution Of the House providing Tor
adjournment at 4 o clock this afternoon.
Sargent appealed to the Senator not to press that
motion. III thought a vote could be reached on the
Hawaiian Bill in short time, by working along
without recess. He had doubt that the session
could be terminated by midnight. Hitchcock then
withdrew his motion.
Logan of Illinois, 81 oke in favor Of the bill. He ar
gued that the effect of it would be to those Is
lands. He spoke Of their importance outpost 10
the Pacific, ia Of foreign war, and argued that
the bill shunid be considered in that point Of view
lie was not disposed to consider how many fve-cent
pieces wood be kept of the Treasury if this bill
should be passed there questions involved in
1t OF more Importance.
Boutwell, Of Massachusetts,, spoke in favor Of the
BILL and said that While he not in favor Of anrex-
ing those Islands he desired TO them in such
condition that when the present rulers disappeared
there could be established there Republican govern
ment controlled by Americans If this bill should be
rejected Congress would thrust these people away and
force them to 20 to England, France other
country for such treaty.
u also submitted two other sections follows -
SEC. THAT the Secretary Of the Treasury be and
he is hereby authorized, from time to time, make
prescribe, in addition to requirements for the verdi
cation Of invoices under existing laws, such and
regulations and conditions relative the evidence
which shall include declaration under the hand of
the owners shippers, or manufacturers aud certf
cate of tle Consul. Commercial Agent Vice Com Z
mereia Agent that any articles OF merchandise pro-
posed to be exported from the Hawaiian Islans aud
to be admitted into America free under the first art-
Gle Of the convention aforesaid the growth and I
product and manufacture Of the Islands as may be |
for the protection Of the revenue and in
to article Of said convention.
SEC. 3.-Tnat if any Consul Vice Consul, CONNER
eial Agent or Vice Commercial Agent shall falsely |
certify that any merchandise about be exported |
from any port OF the Hawaiian lsands to any port Of
the United States is of the growth, product
iaeture OF the Islands, he shall. conviction in any
Court of jurisdiction, forfeit aud pay a tine not
ceedng SOOO, at the discretion OF the Court, and be
imp isOned for any term not exceeding three years.
Rel ectet yeas Z, nays 30.
West vi Louisiana, in reply to Logan, argued that |
if the Islands were needed a military outpost. they |
should be bought. lie opposed to giving away I
the money Of the people. this bill proposed. e 1
denied that any advantage would be gained in mill
tary point of view by the passage Of the bill
Eimunds Of Vermont, said that be would hesitate /
long before he took any for the Incorporation Of
outlying posts either side to the American govern
nent. 1t involved much for American liberty. If
any Of the Islands should be annexed to the Union /
these people would assist in making laws for the whole
American people, and their inhabitants not being DO
INDIGENOUS with our people, be could not consent to /
such a thing.
Merrill submitted an amendment providing that the
treaty shall be suspended whenever any condition /
contained in the "a 4th articles should not be faith
fully observed by His Majesty the King Of the Ha-
waiian Islands. Rejected.
GurdOn Of Georgia, said ii his purpose to have /
spoken the bill at leugth. but was physically una
BILE to do lie knew the Southern rice and sugar .
planters, and no people this continent we're more
capable Of self sacrificing patriotism than they
lie argued that there could be found in San Francisco
more rice and sugar FROM China. Cuba and elsewhere
ihan the Hawaiian Islands would ever be worth. III l
moved to postpone the further consideration Of the I
bill until the second Tuesday Of December next Re-
ieeted.
The bill was then read third time, and passed =
yeas 20 mays u. Booth voted 10 the negative.
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