The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-31
THE SENATE
DID THE NICARAGUAN CANAL
BILL BY A VOTE OF 81 TO IL
SENATOR MILLS ON HAWAI-
4 Powerful Sugar Interest in This Couh
try Demanding That the United
States Act In Their Behalt-An
Oligarchy disappearing as
a Republic-Proceedings
of the House.

a Northumberland
of the House.
Washington. Jan. 25.-The bill plcdg'
ing the faith of the United States 10 DC
the construction of the Nicaragua canal
passed the senate, by the decisive vote
of 81 yeas to 81 nays. 1t was the ter
mination of debate which has lasted
since the present session of congress
hogan. 1t was, moreover, the first reall,
cation in either branch of congress OF
the vast project SO long and vigorously
urged for canal joining the Atlanue
and the Pacific with the United States
standing sponsor for the execution OF the
work. The final vote was not secured
until 6:30 tonight, but, Notwithstanding
the lateness of the hour, there was an
Exceptionally full senate, owing to the
interest felt in the elimination OF the
long discussion. The Nicaraguan MIN
lister and many other diplomats inter
diested in the project had seats III inc
diplomatic galleries throughout the voting
on the many amendments ana the nhi'I
question.
The bill, in brief, directs the issue OF
Ia VI NhAit'i D'AA'~
| When the senate met today the ques'
ton of Mr.. Mitchell Rep., Ore.), calling
| for detailed information as to the amount
of sugar bounty claims were agreed to.
The Hawaiian question was then taken
up and Mr.. Allen Pop, Neb.) addressed
the senate. He urged that Minister
Stevens initial act was fragrant violation
| of international law.
Mr.. Mills Dem., Tex then arose to
make the speech on the Hawaiian ques-
ltion he had given notice of yesterday;
There was much interest manifested and
the senator was followed with marked
attention. Mr.. Mills went out of the
beaten path and arraigncd the sugar
Interests as responsible for the constant
excitement over Hawaii.
1T is an old story" said Mr. Mills,
with great earnestness, there is pow
erful sugar interest in this country and
lin Hawaii 1t is an interest demanding
that the great power of the United
States be exercised in its behalf. This
interest is manifeSting itself in the United
States senate; it demands for interven-
ton in the affairs of Hawaii. 1t is man
Iifesting itself in an arraignment of the
president of the United States because
he does not use the power of the United
States navy to maintain its interest III
Hawaii"
Mr.. Mills proceeded to lay down the
proposition that the senate was going
too far in directing the executive branch
as to what use it should make of the
navy or army. 1t was strange doc
trine, said Mr.. Mills, that the legislative
branches should assume the prerOga-
tive to direct another branch of govern
ment what it should do.
IF the legislative branch can call on
the executive" declared Mr.. Mills, then
it can call on the judicial branch. We
will then be able to call on the chief
judicial body of the country to furnish
us information as to why they affirmed
the legality of the legal tender act"
Mr.. Mills declared that if this doctrine
was conceded. then the executive branch
was powerlesS. The president of the Uni
ted States could be brought to the
bar of the senate at any time 10 give his
reasons or to direct his course. 1t would |
be II sorry moment for the American peO- |
pie when their executive head was thus |
made the creature of the senate of the |
legislative branch of the government.
Mr.. Mills elOquently related the man
ncr in which the American people had |
greeted the Hungarian patriot KoSsuth |
after he had dared to strike at the oppres-
sion surrounding him.
Mr.. Mitchell (Rcp, Ore.) asked if Mr.. |
Mills sought TO place together KoSSuth |
and the representatives of Queen Iiliou |
kalani.
Mr.. Mills responded with warmth that
the representatives who came here spoke
for Il people whose executive had been
dcfraudcd by a representative of the
| DitnI Stntps ubnSn hnI
been overthrow by conspiracy and fraud.
With intense sarcasm Mr.. Mills read the
letter of President Harrison to Queen
Lilioukalani when Minister Stevens was
accredited to Hawaii.
The senator commented rs he proceed
ed with the letter. This was n time. he
said, when the queen was still supreme.
She was seeking to protect her own native
people against the corporate greed: seek
ing to get possession of the great sugar
lands of Hawaii.
But the sugar trust wanted the land,
too and they were more powerful than
IiliOukalani was" declared Mr.. Mills.
with such force that the paraphrase of
the queens name evoked only a smile.
Minister ThurStOn of Hawaii came into
the diplomatic gallery and was an inter
| ested listener to the severe arraignment of
| the government represented by him.
The senator denounced the present gov
eminent as IAN oligarchy masquerading
as Il republic" 1t was Il part of the great
sugar ogarchy. This oligarchy was ap-
pealing to the United States for sympa-
| thy and support. Mr.. Mills asked when
| Rpublican administration had set up a
| barbariuos king on the throne of Samoa
Who designated this king?" said Mr.
Mills 1T was Emperor William of Ger