The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-02-01
YHE ANTI-OPTION MEASURE
After q Prolonged Contest
Passes the Senate.
A HAWAIIAN RESOLUTION.
Senator Chandler Explains His Motives
for Offering 1t.
he Desired That 1t Should Be Referred
TO the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, but No Definite Ac-
ton Was Taken.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-In the Senate
Mr.. Harris reported the Senate quaran-
tine bill with the appropriating clause
omitted as substitute for the quarantine
and immigration bill passed by the
/ House.
Mr.. Hill objected to immediate consid-
Grafton, as he wished time to examine it,
and the bill went over till tomorrow.
The Senate then took up Chandler res
olution, requesting the president to trans
NIT to the Senate any convention he may
make with the provisional government of
Hawaii, and Mr.. Chandler proceeded to
discuss it. He explained his motives for
offering it. He had not intended, he said,
that it should be acted on without consid
Grafton by the committee on Foreign Re-
lations, and he intended yesterday to
move its reference to that committee. 1t
occurred to him, however, that it won Id
be wise for Congress to take the
initiative on the subject as the
commissioners from the present
] provisional government of Hawaii
would not arrive at Washington until the
end of the week, and it was fair to pre-
sumo that the rest of the week would be
occupied by the executive IN considering
the subject. The 18th of March would
then be near at hand, and so he thought
that on a subject on which there WAS a
unanimity of opinion among the Ameri-
can people, Congress might as well initi-
ate action. American interests were very
extensive in the Sandwich islands, and
the property of those islands was mainly
owned by American citizens.
The United States government had
never shown any disposition to destroy
the native government OF Hawaii. On
the contrary, it had always maintained
such government and attempted to keep
in power the existing dynasty. but at the
same time there had been a feeling
that If the native government should
fall an American solution would be
found for the difficulties on the islands.
But If il should appear that a stable In
dependent government could not be
maintained, and the support of any for
eign government should be required,
then the sentiment was that the United
States would be willing and deSlrOuS to
annex the islands. In view of the short
ness Of the session and the desirability of
avoiding an extra session, he thought
action should be taken on the subject by
this Congress.
He thought it due the commissioners
now on their way to Washington that a
full and complete statement should be
made to them of the American policy and
that Congress should be prepared to state
fully and frankly the position of the
United States with reference TO Hawaii 10
such foreign governments as might take
an interest in the question. He moved
reference of the resolution to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Dolph, Republican of Oregon. sal
the time had arrived for well defined ag
gressive American policy and proceeded
to read long statement of the popula-
ton, trade and commerce Of the Hawaiian
islands. Before he concluded the resolu
ton was laid aside without action and the
anti-option bill was taken up and argu-
ments in opposition to it were made by
the Messrs. Wolcott, of Colorado, and
GRAY, of Delaware, and Mr.. Higgins, of
Delaware, spoke in support of the meas
ure.
At 3:15 the senate proceeded to vote.
The first vote was on Mr.. Villas amend
ment to take out of the George substitute
the words declaring options and futures
TO be distractions to commerce and ille-
gal and void. The amendment was re-
jected. Year. ri; nays, 80.
The George substitute was then re-
jected. Yeas. 10; nays, 81.
Various other amendments were offered
and rejected, and the bill passed; yeas, 40;
nays, %. Following is the vote in detail: