Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-07
SICKLES' SPEECH
Against the Hawaiian Infamy
Made a Sensation.
He Denounced Presidents Policy and
Favored Annexation.
Democrats Couldn't Muster Quorum -Hepub
lieans Stopped Resolution.


WAsHlNGroN, Feb. 6.-In the House,
the Hawaiian resolution was taken up.
Storer m2de . strong legal argument
.ssinst the legality of the appointment of
Mr.. Blount 40 minister to Hawaii, while the
Senate was in session.
Siekles (Dem.) of New York created q
sensation by attacking the Presidents pol
icv. He was the first Democrat who had
net upheld the resolution. He held that
one administration should not constitute L.
elf q court Of appeals or review of the pre-
cedipg administration. Republican sp-
plause. He mentioned q number Of iu-
stances in which it was thown that thus
country pursued policy of annexation.
For so years this country had insisted on
non-interference by foreign governments in
the Pacific, and this alone kept those ISL
ands from being encroached upon, The
Hawaiian monarchy was dead; it had be-
come repugnant to the dominant class in
the Islands. The monarchy fell because it
was too weak to stand. That it did not fall
on account of the landing Of American ma
rines was shown by the fact that it was not
able to raise itself to power again after the
troops were withdrawn.
Sickles said e was in favor of the an
nexation of Cuba today. BE predicted
that no matter what might be the action of
the House today, it could not change the
iecree of destiny that sooner or later the
Hawsiian islands would become q part of
the United States. Loud applause from
Republicans.
At $50 the previous question was Or
dered, and Blair's amendment approving the
recognition of the provisional government
by the Harrison and Cleveland admiuistra-
tons and declaring for policy of ultimate
annexation, was defeated on . standing
vote, n to 1856; on roll call, 80 to l55.
A vote was on Hits substitute. This
declares the sense of the House that the
Presidents demand on the provisional gov
ernment to surrender, and his attempt to
erect monarchy in its stead, an unwar-
ranted Intervention in the affairs of a
rierdly recognized government, and con-
trary to the law of nations, the policy and
traditions of this republic and spirit Of the
constitution. Also, the provisional govern.
nent having been recognized, the highest
International interests require that it pur
ue its own line Of policy; and foreign in
tervention will be regarded as an act un
friendly to the United States. The substi-
cute was lost: yeas, 103; nays, 15S.
Reed moved to recommit and this was
lost yeas, 81; /; nays, 1873, Cummings vot-
ng with the Republicans. Reed demanded
the yeas and nays, and the motion to re-
commit was again defeated yeas, 90; nays,
100 All were strictly party votes, except
that CumminRs voted with the Republicans.
The Populists generally voted with the Re-
publicans.
Burrows inquired if it would be in order
20 move to postpone the consideration, and
he SPEAK er said it would not, under the
special order. Robinson rose to a parlia.
mentary inquiry, which was whether those
who voted ''aye" on McCreary's resolution
would be understood to endorse the Presi-
ient's policy. The Speaker said that wa,
not a parliamentary inquiry. Each MEM
Der should vote as he pleased.
The question recurred on the original
resolution offered by McCreary. This de-
clared the sense of the House that Miuister
Stevens acting. in employing naval forces
to aid in overthrowing the Queen and set
ting up provisional government not re-
publican in form, in opposition to the
majority, and contrary to the traditions of
our republic and spirit of our con-
stitution, is condemned. Also that the
House approves the principle announced
by the President that interference with the
domestic sffairs of an independent nation il
contrary to the spirit of American institu-
tons. Further, that the annexation of Ha-
wsii or protectorate 10 uncalled for and
inexpedient, and the people Of Hawaii
LIQUID have freedom to pursue their own
i'ue of policy, and foreign Intervention will
not be regarded by US with Indifference.
The ayes and nays were called for and
the Republicans abstained from voting,
with the exception of Frederick of Kan
.ae) and the democratic could only muster
l61 members, one Of these, Sickles, voting
against the resolution.
The Speaker announced The result: ayes,
100; nays, 2; no quorum. McCfeary
moved call Of the House. The Republi-
cans, under the Leadership of Reed, fill
bustered and demanded the yeas and nays
on motion, and the roll was called. The
and a call of the House was ordered.
On call of the House Reed employed
dilatory tactics. As the name of each ab-
sentee was called, Reed requested that he
be excused. Once or twice objection was
made, but a. Reed showed symptoms Of
asking for division and roll call, the OBJ
lection was quickly withdrawn.
McCreary offered resolution that all
leaves of absence be recalled, and the
sergeant. alarms be ordered to telegraph
absent members. On this question
McCreary demanded the previous question
add the resolution was agreed to. McCSeary
Ehen moved that the House adjourn. and this
vas carried leaving the McCreary Hawaiian
resolution pending.