The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-01-13
ANNEXATION WITHOUT CONDITIONS

there was no provision in the consti-
tuition of the club for the appointment
OF such official. In order that the ap-
pointment should be in strict accord
ance with the constitution, it was re-
solved TO amend the constitution as
follows:
Proposed amendment to Section of the
Constitution of the Annexation Club:
1t is recommended by the Club TO the
Executive Committee that Section 5 of
the Constitution be amended by adding,
after the words Financial Secretary"
the words AN Executive Officer" so that
the said Section will read as follows:
80 Officers. The officers of the Club
shall be elected upon the adoption of this
Constitution, and shall be a President
and four Vice Presidents, Recording
seer etary, a Treasurer, Financial Sec
rotary and Executive officer, and an En-
rolling Committee consisting of seven per-
sons, all of which officers being members
of the Club shall be chosen. annually to
hold office until their successors be chosen
and accept office. Any vacancy may be
filed by the officers at any meeting of
officers All the officers shall constitute
the Executive Committee of the Club. The
officers may appoint subcommittee
among themselves.
After the amendment had been sec
onded, Mr.. McStocker thought there
was no necessity of changing the con-
stitution Any officer of the club could
resign his present position and act as
executive officer. He would not oppose
the amendment, and merely offered the
suggestion.
Attorney George a. Davis said he be-
lieVed it was best for the interests of
the club to have such an office. Some
one was required to look after the for
eign correspondence, and he thought
it was an amendment to be carried
unanimously. The motion was put by
Mr.. Thurston and carried. He then
announced that there was no further
business for the club, unless some one
desired to ask a question.
Ed Towse wanted to know if Mr..
Brown was already installed as eXecu
tive officer of the club, and suggested
that an election was necessary. He
would nominate G.. A. Brown for the
office of executive officer of the club,
and Mr.. Brown was elected by vive
voice vote.
NJ Thurston then introduced gen
tleman who, he said had been a staunch
supporter of the cause of annexation,
and one who had remarked to him IN
1888 that the overthrow meant anneXa-
ton to the United States. He begged
to introduce Minister of Foreign At
fairs Henry E. Cooper. (Applause.)
Mr.. Cooper delivered his speech ex-
tempore, and in an easy manner, and
was frequently applauded. The fol-
lowing is verbatim report:
do not propose to discuss this even
ing the why's and whereforeS or reasons
for annexation or to define the attitude
of the Government further than to state
hat hoe. Il
neXation to the United States of America.
While in the United States recently [
had the opportunity of hearing much
that is encouraging to those VINO be-
lieVe in annexation. First of all, it is
not likely that the question will become
party issue; the proposition will be adj
vocated by Republicans and Democrats
alike, while opponents will be found in
the ranks of both parties. The question
IS likely to be heard upon its merits, and
largely decided upon points of policy.
For this reason, although during the last
election the Republicans have lost part
of their majority in the House, and the
Senate appears to be largely in favor OF
the position taken by the advocates of
silver, we need have no fear that this
will interfere with the discussion and
decision of the Hawaiian question.
While the Republican party at its last
national convention committed itself to
the policy that the United States should
maintain control of the Hawaiian ISL
ands, annexation was not made such a
to consider it as a party measure. 1t was
on these same lines that the Senate reso-
luton of 1898 was passed; and from the
position taken then there seems to be
no desire to recede.
The division of opinion comes upon the
question of annexation or the malnte-
nance of the present status. The lines
seem to be more sharply drawn upon this
question than ever before. our friends
are more strongly our friends than ever,
and l believe we have many more of
I " he become
more pronounced against us. For this
reason. while making no prophecy as TO
the outcome, / feel assured that II annex
alton is accomplished II VIII be upon
such terms and conditions as Will De the
most favorable to Hawaii. 1t is not like
" that there will be any splitting of
question. our friends feel that we should
be left as independent as possible, con-
sistent with the fact of annexation Those
who are in favor of annexation look
upon it as a matter where the Dement'S
should be reciprocal
The fact that we have shown ourselves
capable of self-goVernment has strength
ened our position to a large extent Al
though the danger has been that some
mi ght consider it best TO leave Wen
enough alone, yet the more general view
is that the question should not be left
any longer in allegiance. and has finally
settled in favor of annexation.
While many of the opponents of annex
alton in the United States have based
their opposition upon the policy OF the
Government heretofore. that no territory
should be acquired which is not part
of the American continent, many nov
say that they consider that an exception
to this rule should be made in the case of
Hawaii. The reason for this is that fa-
wall has become too important factor
in controlling the commerce OF the IA
cific To be left where it might go under
the control of another power.
The Occupa ton of Pearl Harbor Is con-
sidered by those who favor progress
sive foreign policy to be essential. This
IS one of the encouraging features OF
the situation. that we have become neces-
sary to the United States and do not
have 10 6eoeud entirely upon our own