The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1896-01-21
THE ANNEXATION RESOLUTION

! definite form and the annexation
problem is again formally set be
fore the legislators of the Unitet
States. The Spaulding resolution
proposes to make a State of Ha
wall. 1t has been suggested tina
peculiar form of statehood is pro
posed, as the resolution calls fol
one Representative, and State with
but one representative in Congress
is something unknown to the
American Constitution. If state
hood is what Mr.. Spaulding means
he has probably taken it for grant
ed that the two Senators will be
allowed this country as on the
present basis of representation in
the House, Hawaii would only be
entitled to one Representative.
The resolution is intended to
follow the Texas precedent, a
course which is constitutional in
the annexing of foreign territory.
The provision for another consti-
tutional convention does not indi-
cate any dissatisfaction with the
present constitution of Hawaii !;
on the contrary, Mr.. Spauld,
ing, as well as most of those
who have given the matter careful
consideration pronounce our pres,
ent constitution an ideal instru
ment. The change to a state would,
however, necessitate many altera-
lions which would require new
constitution to be drawn up. 1t is
safe to say that Mr.. .Spaulding's
resolution will undergo thorough
revision, and, when finally reported
back to the House, will probably
make provision for the annexation
of Hawaii as a territory. AS is re-
marked by the New YORK Sun, Mr.
Spaulding asks for too much. He
fails to separate the main question.
from the subordinate considerations
of method Of procedure which will
only serve to tangle up the whole
business.
Without stopping to consider the
advisability of Mr.. Spaulding's pro-
posed method, the question arises,
what will Congress and the Presi-4
dent do with the measure =? The
feeling in favor of annexation has;
become settled, and there is moi
doubt that the majority of the
American people look upon its ac-
complishment as only a matter of
time. 1t is regarded as part of the
foreign policy of the United States.
The expectation is, that it will not
be accomplished while Mr.. Cleve-
land is in the White House. His
whole course in this matter has
been put down as opposed
to the desires and convictions
of most Americans in both parties.
Leading Democrats ascribe to this
in some measure the whirlwind OF
popular indignation which has
rendered return of the Repub-
licans to power certainty of the
near future.
If President Cleveland opposes
the annexation of Hawaii, it can.
not be accomplished while he is
President, for any joint resolution
must receive his signature before it
can become effector, even if it
should finally pass both branches
of Congress. But does President
Cleveland oppose annexation in it,
self 4? He has not said so. 1t is
true he attempted to restore the
ex-queen, but he says it was his
attempt to right what he conceived
to be a wrong. On the question of
annexation he has more than once.
suggested to Congress that the
voice of the people of Hawaii ought
to be heard. If resolution should
pass requiring another expression Of
opinion by the voters of Hawaii it
is highly probable that he will
claim this provision as a vindica-
ton of his course and accept the
situation as presented by Congress.
He knows very we'll that such
course would go far to re-.
move the bad opinion OF the