New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-21
CLEVELAND URGED A CABLE
Mr.. HIT QUOTES HIS EARLY MESe'AGES
on HAWAII
But THAT WAS BEFORE QUEEN I'LL WAS
TURNED DowN-MR MCREARY FIGHTS BIT
TERIY AGAINST THE SENATE APPRo-
PKIATIUN IUI' HE

u
Washington Feb 2o-The conference report on
the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation OIL
provoked n debate IN the House OF Representa-
tives to-day which was not only lively ana h'sh'v
interesting out exceedingly instructive. NeN''
before was he broad and radical difference ne
tween a patrio; and statesman ana narrow
hide-bound bigoted partisan mere clearly ana
forcibly illustrated. The debate was wholly de-
voted to the single remaining difference between
the Senate and House in regard TO the bill-the
provision authorizing the building BY the Gov
eminent OF a submarine cable between the
United States and Hawaii. and making an APP
Precipitation OF 500 900 begin the work.
OF course such a proposition seemed horrible
10 the "Cuckoo' chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Affairs in view OF President Ceveand's
recent recommendation In favor Of such modi-
ncation Of the treaty with Hawaii as would on
able the latter to grant to Great Britain the
right 10 land q military and naval submarine
cable on one of the Sandwich Islands-a Cuckoo
chairman. too who seems utterly 10 have for
gotten that in two of his annual messages In his
first administration President Cleveland who
then fully appreciated the importance and value
Of Hawaii as commercial outpost OF the
United States, had recommended and strongly
urged the very action which Is proposed by IN"
Senate amendment 10 the Consular ana Dlpio-
matte bill. 1t must be said. however. In fairness
or at least in charity. that since his unfortunate
experiences in past discussions Of other aspects
OF the Hawaiian problem the mere mention OF
,he name OF Hawaii completely upsets the chair
mans mental poise and drives him nearly
frantic. Every body recognizes TINS fact. and
therefore nobody was surprised TO dark Clouds
ga Their and lightnings fash and 20 hear loud
thunders roll as soon as he began to speak to-
day.
1t was evident from almost the first sentence
he uttered. however. that the chairman or the
Committee IN Foreign Affairs had carefully con-
sldered beforehand what kind OF speech ne
should deliver. II was to be an appeal to Dem
ocrats as Democrats to smother and forget every
feeling Of patriotism and bindly vote against
the interests OF country simply for party's sake
1t was repu.sive and yet a pitiabe effort, put
IT was shrewdly contrived and its effects VIII
probably he seen when the vote IL taken despite
tho fact that 1t excited little interest ana Virtu-
ally nothing that could b. called enthusiasm
among the Democratic members It ought to be
mentioned perhaps that there was one Demo-
crat in whose bosom the motion and speech did
excite great emotion but it was Of a fercely hos
tile sort That man General Sickles
Mr. Hits reply to the chairman ~ his COM
mi,tee was "a passionately and broadly Ameri-
bitterly and narrowly partisan; It was az In
structive az the latter was the reverse ~ In
structIve For years Mr.. Hit has been a careful
and thorough student OF Hawaiian affairs. ana
Of the relations between that country and the
United States His speech to-day showed that
his vigilance has been sleeplcss. and he set forth
an array Of facts and Information that was
startling in its significance. and which ought -
arouse IN the minds even OF Democrats. sense
Of the duty that they owe 10 country rather than
to party Il was a favorable sign that many -
them listened with attention and evident inter-
est. How deep was the impression that he made
upon their minds will bc shown when the vote
shall'be taken tomorrow.
Mr. McCreary dem. KY reported tho result u
tho conference upon the Diplomatic and Consular
Appropriation bill-an agreement upon all tho
items save the appropriation for the Hawaiian
cable.
Mr. Brown Dem. Ind and Mr.. Bum Dem.
s c. asked unanimous consent that after the
conference report disposed of tho House
should take up the Willams-Setile contested cleo
ton case and vote upon II after two hours do
bate. Objection was made. however. and tho CON
ference report was read. After a brie. statement
by Mr. McCrcary the report was agreed to-
Mr. McCrcary then moved that the HOUSE, IN
amendment
Mr.. Sickles Dem. " " and Mr.. HIT CRep
I'D endeavored to get in a motion that the House
concur in the amendment. but could not then get
the floor
Mr.. McCreary said that II the Government was
TO construct this cable then IT must build cables
to Samoa to Japan to China and to other places
and II It built submarine cables. then II must
build railroads and operate them. Such a policy
could meet his approval. Subsidies had
been granted by Republican Congresses and Ad-
mnsirations to ships on the seas. and now II was
proposed to extend subsidies under the sea. Mr..
McCreary said that our relations with Hawaii
had already been expensive. The reciprocity treaty
Of 1876. giving Hawaiian sugar and rice free entry
into the United States had cost us $4,000 900. we
have the commerce OF the islands he said;
what do We need OF this cable?" He was In
favor OF the cable, but he wanted IL built az
other submarine cables had been constructed
by private enterprise. company OF wealthy
gentlemen stood ready to lay the cable, not only
to Hawaii but on 10 China. az soon az Congress
would incorporate them. There no emer-
gency for the proposed cable. there was no COM
merce demanding 1t. and he hoped the House
would vote to insist upon It's disagreement to the
Senate action.
Mr.. Bou,elle Rep.. Me- called the attention OF
Mr. McCreary 10 the fact that no port In the
world had entered and cleared In the last year
so much American tonnage as Honolulu
Mr.. HIT Rep, I'D moved that the House con-
cur in the Senate amendment. He said the ques-
ton was not a political one. neither Republicans
nor Democrats were responsible for the amend
men nor could take the credit for II. The amend
ment was put on TIE bill by the joint action Of
patriotic men Of all parties In another part Of the
Legislature II had been recommended by the
President Of the United States-Democrat.
Mr.. McCreary-I deny that
Mr.. Hitt-When finish. the gentleman will
have ample time In which to make denials and
proofs
Continuing. he referred TO the efforts that had
been made TO bring about successful Issue to
the agitation for a cable e. Honolulu. and men
toned a BIZ that had been introduced In Con-
grcss.
Mr.. Mccreary interrupted To say that that
measure had Ueen introduced by Mr. Stone. OF
Prnnsy .Van!a. ",n your side
Mr.. Hit tpassionsely)-I do rot recognize. Mr.
SnpnkcI incrc III "a on fiIla |