The Hawaiian gazette., 1877-01-03

ecmpanied by minority report by four members Of
the Committee. who were among the ahlest and
most influential members Of the House. The oppo-
stion became very formidable. The House consisted
OF two hundred and ninetv-two members, and the
great majority were members, aud therc was
large majority in opposition to tie administration
which had made the treaty.
A debate Of great interest was had upon the
question Al different periods Of the session. think
there twenty-one speeches made in ALL many Of
them very able and carefully prepared. The act en-
countered unusual delay OF an accutnuia-
tion of business. some of which Of unusual cha
raeier, which had priority. as matter of privilege
Sr Of necessity, like appropriation hills
The treaty assaed as injuriuusiy affecting tho
treasury tia, it job for the benefit Of planter.
and rehuers. that it injurious the markets Of
sugar and rice raised in the Southern States Of the
Union; and the Infamous charge that money had
been sent TO the Capital from the css.tto make an
Improper influence favorable 20 the treaty.. Charyes
were also made on oar system Of labor an Of which
were successfully repelled. This measure was car.
ried purely on its merits but it required constant
watebfulness to protect the treaty from hostile al
taeks.
At length the sth of Mag was assigned when the
last debate should be hsa on the biIi and vote
taken. A speech was made by Mr.. Tucker. of Viz
GINA, very able and eloquent speaker and also BY
Governor Thomas Of Maryland. a very able debater
in the opposition. and replies were made BY General
Banks, of Massachusetts,. and Mr.. Wood of New
York. which were effective and eloquent. Great in
terest was taken in the vote which resulted in ll6
yeas, and l0l nays.
1t WAS then considered that when the House had
passed the necessary laws to carry the treaty into
effect. which the Senate had approved by very
large majority tina, further opposition would not be
be made. But in this Was disappointed. for in a
very few days. Committees from the Chambers of
Commerce of New Orleans, Savannah, and Charles
ton appeared before the Committee of Foreign Affairs
in the Senate. and made very energetic opposition
the treaty. They took the ground that the people
III had d. .srx.
in plantations of sugar and rice. and that our pro-
duct would come in competition in the market, much
10 their injury.
1t DOLLY necessary to produce the statistics Of
the large amount of importation of sugar and rice
iuto the United States aud also of the production of
the United States Of the articles to convince
any impartial mind, that our product, which would
be wholly consumed by the Pacific States could not
affect the markets on the Atlantic. But there was
honest and total msapprehensionsof the effect Of
the treaty 1t was the Presidential year, and was
apprehensve at time. that the treaty might
opposition from political considerations,
which would at least cause postponement.
The Senators from the Pacific States. with
eeption. resisted all opposition with great force and
ability. II i in Parlia Eentary proceedings,
that there is exhibited greater talent
summate tact in the management of bill than by
Senator SARGENT who had more especially the charge
of it in the Senate. and when also consider that
it the last days Of the session. when there is
always great pressure Of business
have given you very imperfect account of the
obstacles which this measure encountered. but my
reply is already too long.
should like to refer to many friends Of the treaty
who rendered very important aid in making the
merits of the treaty known well as in discussing
the public mind of false charges. There many
in San Francisco who rendered great service in this
way. There n friendly feeling by very many
people of the United States. arising from their
gious commercial and social relations with the people
Of the Islands. The American Minister. Mr.. Peirce
who bad resided here formerly a commercial man
for many years, aud was fully conversant with the
merits Of the question, advocated it with great effect
1t has required great perseverance, on the part of
the Government to accomplish this measure, and
trust that il will result 10 the benefit of both
countries. thank you for the very courteous man
10 which you have presented the views Of the
chamber Of commerce, who by their practical wisdom
will have salutary influence in carrying out the
provisions Of the treaty.