The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-05-13

much our property as any harbOr on the
Pacific coast. He believed the govern
ment should improve Pearl harbor as il
should any other harbor it owned when
it needed Improvement. 1t was within
| five miles of Honolulu harbOr. where the
vessels of the United States had always
been able to coal and always would be
while they had the money to pay for the
coal. The appropriation would not
suffice to dredge the sand from the har-
Dor. The inhabitants would raise the
price of their corner lots as soon as i'm
provements were commenced on the har-
bor The appropriation was not suf-
ficient to buy foot of land or begin a
naval station. Mr.. Cannon did not be-
lieve in magnifying the importance of
| these international matters and becoming
frightened at this or that nation.
| The amendment was opposed by Mr..
Sayers of Texas, because, he said, as soon
as Pearl harbor had been improved the
government would be called upon to ex-
pend several millions to fortify it. In
stead of looking abroad for objects of
| legislation congress should look to the re-
| lief Of its own people.
Mr.. Cummings (dem.) of New York
spoke earnestly in favor of the appro-
priation.
II have faith enough in the patriotism
of President Mckinley" he said, ito be-
lieve that before he leaves the White
House the Hawaiian islands will be an
integral part of this republic" Repub-
Iican applause.)
Mr.. Hilborn rep of California said
the United States has bought sheet of
water at Pearl harbor, but not foot
of land. The land at Pearl harbor has
been bought up by spectators, who hold
it in expectation that the United States
m Of M mi
so badly off for naval stations at home
it was folly TO build them abroad In
case of war all the power of the navy
would be required TO hold Pearl harbor.
and in case of annexation the harbor
would be unnecessary.
Mr. Simpson (pop) of Kansas advo-
Gated the project. This harbor, he said,
was more needed than one at home since
the United States had adopted the policy
of maintaining great navy.
Mr.. Henry rep of Connecticut and
Mr.. Walker (rep.) of Massachusetts
spoke in favor of the amendment
Mr.. Sayers warned congress that the
next step in line with the proposed policy
would be annexation. He warned them
not to be frightened by the report that
England would take possession of the
islands.
Next to a conflict with my own
brethren" he said, Il would deplore
war with England. l do not believe
England wants war with us any more
than we want war with her."
The vote was taken on Mr.. Hits mo-
ton to concur in the senate amendment.
which failed by vote of 50 to 50.
Comparatively few republicans were
present, and the vote was nearly party
one. Half dozen democrats and popu-
lists, including Messrs. Cummings of New
York, Tate of Georgia, King of Utah
(dems.) and Simpson and Rigley (pOps.)
OF Kansas, voted to concur, and about
dozen republicans, among them Messrs.
Cannon, HilbOrn, Parker, Moody of Mas
sachusetts, BrOderick of Kansas Brom-
well of Ohio and Linney of North Caro-
lima voted not to concur.
The Pearl harbor item was sent to con-
ference.
The amendment carrying $4,000 for
n channel in Mobile bay was non
c0ncurred in.
The amendment for four additional
commissioners for Alaska and the same
number of deputy marshals was ac-
cepted.
The house ratified the action of the
of the whole on the various
amendments except that for continuing
the investigation of the seal fisheries. on
which the house, at the suggestion of
Mr.. Sayers, reversed the action and ac-
copied the amendment.
Messrs. Cannon, Sayers and w. A.
Stone of Pennsylvania were appointed
conferees and then, at $40, the house adj
Journed until Thursday.