The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-09-21
One Of the Things Determined Upon
by Republican Managers.
Antagonism OF the House Prevented
Favorable Action by Last Congress.
Measure Has Gained supporters Since
Last Vote - Patriotic Expressions.

The Washington correspondent
Of the Cincinnati Enquirer gives
the following forecast of cable legis-
lation of the next Congress:
Nothing short of Presidential veto
can prevent the initial steps being
taken by the next Congress toward
the construction of cable between
the United States and the Hawaiian
Islands. This is one of the things de-
termined upon by the Republican
| managers of the Fifty-fourth Con-
gress, and it is believed that it will
prove a popular proceeding. Had it
not been for the antagOnism of the
Democratic House during the closing
hours of the last Congress, provision
would have been made in the bill car
rying appropriations for the diplo-
matte and consular service for the eX-
penditure of $500 600 as a beginning
for this great work, the line to be con-
structed and operated by the Govern
ment. The proposition carried in the
Senate by good working majority,
and for long time that body held out
in conference against the refusal of
the House to acquiesce in the Senate
amendment to the House bill prOvid.
ing for the appropriation Of this
money.
This was not the first time this
question had been agitated III Con-
gress. In 1891 Congress provided for
a survey, with the direct object in
view of building this cable connecting
these islands with the United States.
This survey was made, and an elabor.
ate report made to Congress, and the
Committee on Appropriations report
ed project for subsidy mount
ing TO
Three Millions of Dollars
To be given q company to build the
cable. The proposition was defeated,
because it was held that this private
company would absorb the line and
the Government would lose control
altogether, although it may have
provided the funds for it's cOnstruc-
ton.
The proposition submitted to the
Senate Committee on Appropriations
during the close of the last Congress
and by that committee added to the
diplomatic bill, sought TO overcome
the objections that had been previous
ly made. 1t provided that the Gov
ernment should build, own and oper-
ate the cable. This carried in the
Senate by majority of IL votes, and
should it be renewed in the next Con- |
gress the majority would be slightly in |
excess of that amount, for the friends |
of the cable have gained members and |
those opposed to it have lost. The !
votes taken from the affirmative side |
of the proposition are those of Sen |
ator Butler, of South Carolina, and |
Higgins, of Delaware. On the other !
hand, the negatives have lost the |
votes of Mcpherson, of New Jersey, |
Martin, OF Kansas, and Camden, of |
West Virginia, all of whom have been !
succeeded by men
Favorable to the Project.
They have also probably gained a |
vote in the person of Senator elect !
Martin Butler, of North Carolina, who +
Ransom, for on the previous |
votes all the Populists voted with the |
to pass the cable applo-
priation. The other changes IN the |
Senate are in individuals only and not |
parties, and will, it is believed, make
no change in the vote. In addition
there are some Democrats who, un-
der the changed condition of affairs,
1t Is thought, will now support the
cable appropriation, although during
the last Congress they, for particular
opposed it.
Senator Gray, of Delaware, was the
chief opponent OF this appropriation,
aud probably voiced the sentiments of
the Administration when he so vigor-
Ously antagouized the construction of
his cable by Government funds, and
it as a subsidy merely
and in direct conflict with the estab-
ished policy of the Democratic party
with regard to subsidies of all kinds. |
The project was supported, however,
IY such Democr ats as German, Call, |
Hill, Morgan and White.
The Most Ardent Champions
Of the proposed link between this
country and the Islands were Senators
Morgan, Lodge anu Hale Mr.. Lodge
lenied the statements that the cable
vas for the protection of the CONNER
,ial interests of Hawaii. He insisted
hat such q cable would be the first
great step toward proper protection
II the United States in the regions
ying around and beyond our coast.
Such cable wa, he thought, the first
great practical movement toward the
OF the sea power of the
United States. During the course Of
iebate, which was at times very AMI
mated, he said he wanted the United
states to reach out anu take : full
share of the waste places necessary tor
he advancement or nations and their
He would not enter into
he acquisition Of distant possessions